Inter-Ministerial Coordination in The Formulation and Implementation of Cultural and Creative Industries Policy in Vietnam: Institutional Challenges and Prospects for Integrated Governance

The growing importance of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) has transformed them into a strategic policy domain that intersects culture, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. In Vietnam, the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Cultural Industries and subsequent cultural development policies has expanded the involvement of multiple ministries and governmental agencies. However, the increasing complexity of the sector has also generated significant challenges related to policy fragmentation, overlapping mandates, and limited inter-ministerial coordination. This study examines how inter-ministerial coordination is organized in the formulation and implementation of CCI policies in Vietnam and explores institutional barriers that constrain integrated governance. Using a qualitative policy analysis approach, the study analyzes major policy documents, government reports, and relevant academic literature published between 2016 and 2025. Drawing upon the theoretical perspectives of Collaborative Governance and the Whole-of-Government approach, the analysis focuses on institutional structures, coordination mechanisms, and governance outcomes. The findings indicate that while Vietnam has established an important policy framework for CCI development, governance remains fragmented across sectoral jurisdictions. Existing coordination mechanisms are largely administrative rather than collaborative, limiting policy coherence and implementation effectiveness. The study argues that the future success of Vietnam’s CCI sector depends on strengthening integrated governance through enhanced inter-ministerial coordination, shared planning mechanisms, collaborative funding arrangements, and institutional platforms for policy integration. The article contributes to the literature on CCI governance, collaborative governance, and public policy implementation in transitional economies.