As part of the second World Cultural Festival in Hanoi, the "Colors of Five Continents" street festival took place on October 3rd in the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake, bringing together domestic and international art troupes, artists, artisans, models, the international community, and a large number of Hanoi residents and tourists. The program was directed by the Hanoi People's Committee and chaired by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
With the theme "Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future," the "Colors of Five Continents" festival is designed as an open and vibrant space for cultural exchange. Through the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), performing arts, and street activities, the program showcases the unique values of Vietnamese culture, while also creating opportunities for participating countries to share, interact, and celebrate the distinctive cultural characteristics of each nation.
In his opening remarks, Comrade Pham Tuan Long, Member of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, affirmed that the "Colors of Five Continents" Street Festival will create a cultural space where different cultures can meet, interact, share, and be appreciated. Art will be brought out of the stage, integrated into the lives of people and tourists, becoming an integral part of the festival. This is also a way to promote the value of national heritage, especially Hoan Kiem Lake – a historical and cultural symbol of Hanoi – in an open cultural space where tradition meets the contemporary, art reaches the community, and connects friends from five continents.
Comrade Pham Tuan Long - Member of the Hanoi City Party Committee, Director of the Hanoi City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, delivered the opening speech at the event.
According to Comrade Pham Tuan Long, in recent times, Hanoi has focused on implementing cultural and artistic activities in the capital's spaces, public spaces, and the Hoan Kiem Lake area. Festivals such as the 2026 Crescendo Music Festival, the 2nd Thang Long Hanoi Festival, the International Jazz Festival, and community art performances, especially projects like the art at the Octagonal House and Ly Thai To Flower Garden, have gradually created accessible and regular spaces for enjoying art for the people of Hanoi and tourists. Hanoi's community cultural spaces have become more vibrant, serving as meeting points for art and sustaining urban life.
“In an increasingly interconnected world , culture and art, with their unique appeal, bring people closer together without needing a common language, creating empathy without losing identity. Each nation and culture has its own beauty. When these differences are respected and embraced, they enrich the cultural landscape of humanity. As the capital city, Hanoi will continue to be a destination for cultural encounters, people-to-people exchanges, and connections with international friends,” Comrade Pham Tuan Long remarked. “We believe that through musical encounters, through art and culture, understanding will be broadened, friendships will be nurtured, and bridges of cooperation will be extended. The 'Colors of the Five Continents' will therefore be one of the festivals of art, an affirmation of the power of culture in connecting people. Especially, there will be no more distance; culture will become a destination where we can understand each other better, appreciate each other more, and work together towards harmony.” peace, friendship, and development."
A highlight of the "Colors of Five Continents" street festival is the parade of Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress) combined with traditional costumes from various countries. The flowing Vietnamese ao dai, along with the vibrant colors of traditional costumes from different nations, will create a diverse and rich cultural tapestry right in the heart of the capital city.
This year's festival features performances by art troupes and cultural organizations from 15 countries, including Austria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Laos, Mongolia, Morocco, the Philippines , Spain, Ukraine, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The participation of these international troupes brings a diverse range of art forms and cultural heritage, from traditional Persian music, Mexican and Peruvian folk dances, traditional UAE performing arts, to Korean Taekwondo. Accompanying the international troupes are members of the Lion Dance troupe, traditional artisans and artists from Hanoi, Hanoi women, the Vietnam Ao Dai Culture Club, models, and artists. The program also encourages the participation of multi-generational families, aiming to build a cultural space rich in community spirit where generations, communities, and cultures can coexist, interact, and connect.
Throughout the event, the public will enjoy musical performances, traditional arts, and costume shows. The combination of Vietnamese art with international art troupes will transform the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake into an open cultural stage, where art is not only performed on stage but also directly accessible to locals and tourists.
Through each performance, each colorful costume, and every step in the parade, the "Colors of Five Continents" festival contributes to creating a multifaceted cultural space where traditional values are continued in contemporary life and cultures have the opportunity to meet and share.
The "Colors of Five Continents" street festival is not only a large-scale artistic and cultural event but also an opportunity for cultures to meet, interact, strengthen friendship, and work together towards a peaceful and sustainable future. It also serves to promote the image of Hanoi – the "City for Peace," a capital rich in tradition, friendly, open, and integrated. Through the encounter of different cultures, the festival continues to affirm the role of culture as a bridge connecting communities and nations, contributing to spreading the message of peace, friendship, cooperation, and shared development.
With the convergence of heritage values, traditional arts, costumes, and people from many countries, "Colors of Five Continents" creates a vibrant cultural space in the heart of Hanoi – where heritage is celebrated, identity is shared, and common human values are connected to build a better future.
Here are some photos from the "Colors of Five Continents" street festival:
Source: https://vtv.vn/15-quoc-gia-hoi-tu-trong-le-hoi-duong-pho-sac-mau-nam-chau-tai-ha-noi-100261003214435408.htm
