Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design 2023 officially opens

Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design 2023 officially opens

The fifth annual Vietnam Festival of Creativity & Design (VFCD) is set to host a variety of engaging activities in Ho Chi Minh City from 13 to 19 November and in Hanoi from 1 to 7 December.

Initiated in 2019, the festival is organised by RMIT University Vietnam in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), and other creative industry partners, with Hanoi Grapevine as the media partner and organising adviser.

Over the past five years, the festival has created an open and interactive platform for individuals and organisations to engage with the latest trends in the creative sector.

This year’s festival theme “Mind & Machine” explores the essential role of design at the intersection between technology and humanity, through talks, seminars, exhibitions, and other activities.

Professor Julia Gaimster from RMIT spoke at the opening ceremony of VFCD 2023 on 13 November 2023 at Hai An Gallery. Professor Julia Gaimster from RMIT spoke at the opening ceremony of VFCD 2023 on 13 November 2023 at Hai An Gallery.

The VFCD supports the national strategy for the development of cultural industries in Vietnam, including establishing a strong connection between the country's cultural development and socio-economic growth. The festival also contributes to the formation of a “creative belt” across the country through the eventual expansion of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in Vietnam.

Professor Julia Gaimster, Dean of RMIT School of Communication & Design and head of the organising committee said Vietnam's creativity can shine through new technologies that showcase the power and potential of the human mind.

“We hope this festival will stimulate curiosity, imagination, and critical thinking about the role of technology and its tools in shaping our future, as well as inspire participants to learn new skills, discover new opportunities, and connect with other creative individuals and organisations locally and internationally,” she said.

The exhibition "Mind & Machine" at VFCD 2023. The exhibition "Mind & Machine" at VFCD 2023.

One of the highlights of VFCD's fifth iteration is the "Mind & Machine" exhibition, which is open throughout the festival in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with free admission.

According to the exhibition organisers, technology and machines have dominated all facets of life and fundamentally altered how societies function since the first industrial revolution in the 19th century. Current artificial intelligence (AI) has the ability to learn, synthesise information, analyse and provide answers beyond what it is programmed to do.

Humans create machines by having them imitate ourselves. So how do we advance when machines advance? What are the possibilities of advanced machines in human hands?

More than 10 researchers, artists, and artist groups will respond to these questions in the form of physical, digital or interactive work using new technologies (AR, VR, and AI) at the “Mind & Machine” exhibition.

Visitors experienced the opening night. VFCD is open from 13 to 19 November in Ho Chi Minh City and from 1 to 7 December in Hanoi.

Other highlights of the festival week in Ho Chi Minh City include:

On the opening night of VFCD in Ho Chi Minh City, the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, RMIT University, VICAS and Vietnam Design Week presented the Emerging Design Talent Awards to four young Vietnamese talents.

These awards are part of the cross-cultural art and design project đây/đó (here/there), which originated in VFCD 2021 and bring together Australian and Vietnamese artists and designers.

This project has offered mentorship and guidance to emerging artists from Vietnam to promote their contemporary design, craft, and artistic practices while preserving traditional art forms.

It has received support from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam as part of the year-long celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper and First Prize winner of the Emerging Design Talent Awards Vo Ngoc Thanh Tien. Australian Consul-General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper and First Prize winner of the Emerging Design Talent Awards Vo Ngoc Thanh Tien.

Professor Julia Gaimster said, “This year we are celebrating five years of the festival and 50 years of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and Australia. The 50-year diplomacy is a testament to a friendship and partnership that have grown over the decades. This festival features cultural collaboration between the two countries and celebrates the opportunities that creative partnerships can create.”

For more information about VFCD 2023, visit the festival’s channels:  

Story: Ngoc Hoang

13 November 2023

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