Scene of the working session to build Ha Long's dossier to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. (Source: Quang Ninh Newspaper)

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was established in 2004 with the aim of promoting cooperation between internationally recognized cities by using cultural resources and cultural creativity as the basis for sustainable urban development.

Ha Long City is a class I urban area under Quang Ninh province, the cultural, economic and political center of the province, with a favorable geographical location, rich and diverse tourism resources from natural landscapes, cultural and historical values, especially Ha Long Bay which was twice recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage; in 2023, Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Island complex were recognized as a world natural heritage.

The city is also a major tourist center of the country. This is an important factor in building Ha Long city into a creative city, nominated to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

According to the plan of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on building a "Project to develop a creative network within the UNESCO creative city system", the roadmap for Ha Long City to submit its application to join the UNESCO global cities network is 2029. However, with high determination, the city strives to complete the roadmap by 2027.

Appreciating the determination of Ha Long City and aiming to help the city soon complete the set goals, representatives of the Department of International Cooperation and the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, together with the City Steering Committee, discussed and identified the city's strengths as well as competitive advantages with other cities in the country to have a long-term development direction, prioritizing the concentration of resources to ensure the criteria of a creative city, as a basis for building a pre-feasibility project and implementing procedures to create a candidacy profile and nominate to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Being recognized as a creative city will be a good opportunity for Ha Long City to continue to plan and develop the city sustainably, raise awareness of the importance of creativity, the diversity of cultural expressions and make good use of UNESCO's initiatives on culture, education, science, etc.; continue to promote the image of the locality as a land rich in creative potential, contributing to the goals of promoting rapid and sustainable socio-economic development; build Ha Long City into an international national tourism center based on innovation and effective use of local natural, cultural and human resources.

At the same time, it creates conditions for Ha Long City to continue to integrate and affirm its position in the international network, promote exchanges and learn from experiences with countries in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; develop partnerships, promote creativity and cultural industries, enhance participation in cultural life and cultural integration for urban development plans.