The Hanoi People's Council on July 10 passed a resolution on establishing commercial and cultural development zones across the city, as stipulated in Clause 8, Article 21 of the 2024 Capital Law.

According to the resolution, these development zones are functional spaces designated within urban streets, traditional craft villages, and existing rural residential areas to mobilize social resources for investment in commerce, culture, tourism, and the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

The zones are also intended to foster the formation of creative ecosystems.

The resolution outlines three conditions for establishing a commercial and cultural development zone.

First, the area must have clearly defined boundaries and demonstrate potential for upgrading or developing cultural and commercial infrastructure as well as the necessary supporting technical systems.

Second, the area must be capable of mobilizing participation from local communities, artisans, artists, traditional craftspeople, and practitioners of intangible cultural heritage in commercial and cultural activities.

Third, the area must present financial and operational plans that promote commerce and creativity, preserve and enhance cultural values and traditional industries, and attract and develop local tourism.

The resolution states that commercial and cultural development zones will receive support from district and city-level authorities, administrative agencies, and public service providers.

These include priority investments in upgrading technical and social infrastructure, improving streetscapes, and reorganizing traffic when needed.

They will also benefit from enhanced public services such as waste collection, lighting, landscaping, water supply and drainage, public transportation, and city-funded promotional campaigns both domestically and internationally.

Entities engaged in cultural production, arts, events, and related services within these zones will receive various forms of support.

They may use public spaces and facilities managed by the city for organizing cultural and artistic events.

The city will also assist them with media coverage and promotional funding for such activities.

For events or programs of cultural significance that help preserve heritage or promote Hanoi's image internationally, up to 40% of production costs, capped at VND200 million (US$7,650) per event, may be subsidized.

Additionally, the city will allocate funding to train and develop high-quality human resources for the cultural industries, support creative startups through grants and business incubators, and allow controlled pilot testing of new cultural industry products as defined in Clause 6, Article 4 of this resolution.

The resolution also prioritizes the use of the Inner-City Heritage Conservation Fund to renovate urban spaces, restore valuable cultural heritage, and preserve architectural landmarks within the commercial and cultural development zones.

Furthermore, it encourages the creation and mobilization of other legal funding sources to support the establishment and operation of these zones.