Tiếng Việt
Sponsored by the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), the “Partnership Exchange Visit on Cultural and Creative Industries between Project Sites in Mekong Countries and the Republic of Korea” took place from December 3 to 5, 2024. This event provided an excellent platform for representatives from the Greater Mekong Subregion countries to exchange knowledge and experience in the development of creative industries (CCIs), contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development.
Information about the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) and the “Creative4Mekong” Project
The Mekong Institute (MI) plays a vital role in promoting cooperation between countries in the region. MI connects organizations, businesses, and artisans to create opportunities for collaboration and development in creative industries. The Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF) supports international cooperation initiatives, bridging the Mekong region and South Korea to enhance capacity and foster sustainable development in the creative industries.
“Creative4Mekong” is a long-term initiative aimed at promoting the development of creative industries in five countries in the Mekong River Basin: Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The main goal of the project is to harness the economic potential of creative industries to promote sustainable tourism, preserve cultural heritage, and create opportunities for artisans and creative communities to develop their careers and connect with international markets. This exchange tour is not just a simple event but an essential part of building a network for cooperation, sharing experiences, and exploring joint development opportunities among countries.
Opening Up Development Opportunities for the Creative Industry in Vietnam
As a social enterprise producing and promoting traditional handicrafts made from sedge, Maries is committed to enhancing the cultural value of local products while supporting artisans, especially women in craft villages in Vietnam. Participating in this exchange tour offers Maries an invaluable opportunity to learn and share creative methods, thus elevating our initiatives to new heights.
Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 – The Mekong Institute (MI) officially launched the “Partnership Exchange Visit on Cultural and Creative Industries between Project Sites in Mekong Countries and the Republic of Korea” from December 3 to 5, 2024. This initiative, funded by the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), is part of a three-year project entitled “Promoting Creative Industries for Heritage Tourism Development in the Mekong Region” (Creative4Mekong).
Eighteen representatives from five key locations—Ayutthaya (Thailand), Bagan (Myanmar), Hue (Vietnam), Luang Prabang (Laos), and Siem Reap (Cambodia)—participated, based on their expertise in fields such as:
- Arts, Crafts & Design
- Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Music
- Services & Related Industries
In his opening speech, Mr. KIM Dong Ho, Deputy Director of Southeast Asia 2, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, emphasized, “Mekong countries possess unique cultural resources that can be creatively utilized to improve livelihoods and promote socio-economic development.”
Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Promotion Department at MI, confirmed, “This exchange visit is an important platform to connect businesses and share experiences to enrich the CCI ecosystem in their countries.”
As part of the program, MI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr. Lee Young Gang, President of the Korean Intangible Cultural Heritage and Arts Exchange Association (KICCA). This agreement opens up cooperation opportunities in areas such as:
- Program organization
- Publishing cooperation
- Joint proposal development
- Industry cluster initiatives and sustainable development
The exchange visit in South Korea not only helped us gain a deeper understanding of the creative models in Korea but also created opportunities for us to explore new techniques, such as natural dyeing and developing products from traditional Hanji paper, which we can apply to our handcrafted products in Vietnam. This opens up many new opportunities for Maries to combine traditional values with contemporary creativity, resulting in products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also sustainable and suited to international market needs.
This marks an important step in expanding Maries’ influence and that of partners in the Mekong region within the creative industry. The learning opportunities from experts, connecting with leading creative organizations in Korea, and sharing experiences have helped Maries identify new directions in developing traditional handicrafts, combining creative modern techniques, and preserving cultural heritage.
Maries hopes that the knowledge and lessons from this exchange will help us develop and expand Vietnamese handicrafts into international markets, while also promoting sustainable creative initiatives in the artisan communities in Vietnam. Furthermore, we aim to create long-term collaboration opportunities and develop the creative industry in the Mekong region, contributing to the overall sustainable growth of the global creative industries.
