On the evening of October 4th, the Closing Ceremony of the 2nd Hanoi World Culture Festival - 2026 took place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel historical site, concluding four days of vibrant cultural exchange and leaving many lasting impressions on the people of Hanoi, domestic and international tourists.
Attending the closing ceremony were Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh, leaders of ministries and agencies, and ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic agencies and international organizations.
Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh affirmed that, for Vietnam, culture is both the spiritual foundation of society and a goal, driving force, and resource for national development. Preserving heritage is not just about safeguarding what belongs to the past, but about ensuring that heritage continues to live in contemporary life, continues to be created, generates new values, and is passed on to future generations.
At the Closing Ceremony, the Organizing Committee also presented commemorative plaques of the Festival to international delegations, as a token of gratitude and recognition to the artists, artisans, and friends who brought their talent, cultural identity, and spirit of sharing to Hanoi .
With the theme "Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future," this year's festival brings together 50 countries, with 45 cultural spaces, 19 international art troupes, 35 food stalls, and a program showcasing films from nearly 20 film industries.
Over the four days of the event, Thang Long Imperial Citadel became a vibrant meeting place where heritage, performing arts, cinema, fashion , cuisine, tourism, and creative forms all converged, interacted, and connected.
A notable feature of this year's festival is its widespread reach to the public, not only within the Thang Long Imperial Citadel but also across public spaces and media platforms.
Parades and art performances on the pedestrian street have brought the vibrant cultures of various countries closer to locals and tourists.
The highlight of the Closing Ceremony was the artistic program consisting of two parts, "Colors Meet" and "Greetings from Vietnam," featuring international art troupes and many Vietnamese artists.
Following this is "Greetings from Vietnam," which takes the audience on an artistic journey from its roots, through heritage regions, to contemporary Vietnam.
Traditional musical and artistic elements from various regions are showcased in a new performance space, presenting to international friends an image of a Vietnam rich in identity, dynamic, creative, open, and connected to the world.
The success of the Festival also demonstrates that when heritage, art, film, fashion, cuisine, tourism, and creativity are placed in the same space, cultural values are not only introduced and preserved but also have the potential to create new experiences, products, and values.
This is also a concrete way to promote the role of cultural industries, transforming creative capacity, identity, and cultural assets into endogenous strength, competitiveness, and national soft power.
The festival has ended, but the journey of connection continues. The sounds, colors, stories, and friendships forged in Hanoi will continue to spread, carrying the image of a Vietnam rich in identity, friendly, creative, and open to friends around the world.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/chum-anh-be-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-lan-thu-ii-475616.html
