Nguyễn Ngọc Hồi, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports, speaks at a press conference announcing the 2026 Digital Content Creator Week on November 9. — VNS Photo Văn Châu

HCM CITY — HCM City’s 2026 Digital Content Creator Week will bring together creators, technology companies and policymakers to promote responsible creativity, cultural promotion and the digital economy.

The city’s Department of Culture and Sports announced the event at a press conference on November 9, while also launching the “Proud of the City Named after President Hồ Chí Minh” digital content competition.

The programme is part of activities marking Vietnam Culture Day in 2026 and the 50th anniversary of Sài Gòn-Gia Định officially being named after President Hồ Chí Minh on July 2, 1976.

Speaking at the press conference, Nguyễn Ngọc Hồi, deputy director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, said the city had significant advantages in its community of content creators, technology companies, digital platforms and creative media activities.

The week is intended to connect these resources, creating opportunities for networking, experience-sharing and cooperation, he said.

Content creators are playing an increasingly important role in bringing images, cultural values and stories about social life closer to the public through new, accessible and engaging formats, Hồi added.

Content creation is no longer limited to culture and entertainment, but can also help promote products, connect businesses with consumers and support trade, tourism and the digital economy.

From a business perspective, Nguyễn Lâm Thanh, general director of TikTok Việt Nam, said HCM City had a dynamic content creator community, although many creators and groups remained fragmented and lacked stronger connections.

Demand for cooperation among government agencies, businesses and content creators is increasing, making it necessary to create a common space where the community can meet, showcase products, share experience and work together more effectively, he said.

TikTok hopes the event will not be a one-off occasion but the beginning of longer-term cooperation among government agencies, businesses, digital platforms and the creative community.

Held under the theme “Unlimited Creativity – Connecting the City's Values”, the week will take place on November 13 and 14 in the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian street area, alongside a series of livestreaming activities on digital platforms from November 9 to 13.

A key highlight will be a dialogue between city leaders and the community on November 14 at Rex Saigon Hotel, focusing on ways to remove bottlenecks facing businesses and digital content creators.

The programme will also include training sessions on digital content regulations, cultural standards, content production skills and artificial intelligence applications.

Technology experience spaces will feature TikTok, YouTube and Meta, as well as media and technology organisations.

At the press conference, the Department of Culture and Sports also launched the “Proud of the City Named after President Hồ Chí Minh” digital content competition, open to the public and the content creator community.

The competition encourages participants to share stories about the culture, people, identity and development of HCM City through modern forms of communication.

Thanh said he hoped every content creator could become a storyteller for the city, sharing their own perspectives and experiences.

Their stories could focus on destinations, distinctive products, cultural features or changes in urban life, helping introduce authentic images of the city to audiences in Việt Nam and abroad.

The competition will accept entries from November 15, 2026, until March 31, 2027.

It will offer two collective awards and five individual awards, with top winners eligible to be considered for certificates of merit from the Chairman of the municipal People's Committee.

Hồi said the city hoped creative products would not only be attractive in form but also deliver positive content, reflect real life and combine traditional values with modern methods of expression.

Through the week and the competition, HCM City aims to develop a responsible content creator community, expand cooperation and contribute to promoting culture, tourism, trade and the digital economy. — VNS