Constructing Boundaries through Terminology: How ‘Culture’ and ‘Creativity’ Shape Inter-Ministerial Governance in Vietnam’s Cultural and Creative Industries Policy

Abstract

The focus of this piece is to investigate how “culture” and “creativity” inform and contour the policies relating to Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in Vietnam. The author takes a qualitative approach to the study by analyzing meeting minutes and official documents, conducting interviews, and reviewing relevant media sources. The findings of this study indicate that the language of policy functions as a boundary tool, and as such, shapes the jurisdictional contestation between ministries and sectors. These processes, when viewed as institutional work, exhibit creation, maintenance, adaptation, and disruption. China and Singapore are cited as contrasting examples of how “creativity” is integrated into policy. The study suggests that a cohesive legal policy defining CCIs is necessary alongside enhanced multi-ministerial collaboration. There is a need to study the local and ASEAN levels to evaluate the impact of policy language on the governance and operations of CCIs.