Hanoi is about to welcome cultural colors from all over the world.

Space for cultural dialogue

Following the success of the first edition in 2025, the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi will take place from October 1 to 4, 2026 at Thang Long Imperial Citadel , to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO.

With the theme "Convergence of Heritage, Shaping the Future," the festival aims to build an international exchange space where cultures showcase their identities, share heritage values, and expand connections in the fields of culture, art, tourism , technology, and creative industries.

Speaking at a meeting with the diplomatic corps on the afternoon of September 21st, providing information about the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said that the festival is a place to showcase the diverse cultures of Vietnam and other countries around the world, while also creating a space for cultural dialogue. There, each country brings its own unique values ​​and finds common ground in their diversity.

“The greatest value of an international cultural event lies not only in the programs organized, but also in the encounters, new understandings, and relationships formed as a result. Each culture present in Hanoi will add a unique color to the overall picture, creating the vitality of the festival,” Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong emphasized.

According to the organizers' press release, this year's festival brings together 50 countries, international organizations, and businesses, demonstrating the growing scale and reach of this international cultural event. The program includes 45 cultural spaces, 35 food stalls; film screenings with participation from 18 countries; and a fashion space featuring traditional costumes from 19 countries.

In addition, 20 international art troupes will perform throughout the four days of the festival. Activities ranging from exhibitions, art performances, films, fashion, cuisine to cultural experiences will create a vibrant tapestry at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The public will have the opportunity to discover the unique values ​​of many countries, while international troupes will gain deeper insight into Vietnamese culture, people, and heritage.

Through direct meetings and exchanges, the festival is expected to open up more opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and international partners, making culture a connecting resource, promoting tourism and developing creative industries.  

Bringing heritage into the digital space.

A notable new feature of this year's festival is the "Spreading Creativity from Heritage, International Festival Games" area. This space is designed to connect historical and cultural values ​​with contemporary technology and creative methods.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will collaborate with Vietnamese businesses to introduce, release, and operate video games inspired by national history and culture. Through modern interactive formats, the public can directly experience and explore heritage, instead of just receiving information through traditional displays.

This area also features character dress-up and dance performances inspired by the Audition game, combined with LED screen effects. The fusion of heritage, technology, and performing arts is expected to create a youthful space, increasing the accessibility of traditional culture to younger audiences.

According to Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation, the festival also serves as a kick-off activity for Vietnam's proposed initiative on the "International Decade for Culture for Sustainable Development" from 2027 to 2036, which was recently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, the event contributes to spreading the message about the role of culture in promoting dialogue, strengthening connections, and moving towards sustainable development. It is also an opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam, the capital city of Hanoi, and the cultural values ​​and heritage of the country to international friends.

Placing traditional values ​​in relation to technology and creative industries demonstrates a new approach to preserving and promoting heritage. Heritage is transformed into a source of inspiration for new products, experiences, and storytelling methods, thereby expanding its vitality in contemporary life.

The festival is expected to become a highlight of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy in 2026, attracting the attention of the public and media both domestically and internationally. The event also contributes to affirming Hanoi's position as a UNESCO Creative City, as an international cultural meeting point where heritage is celebrated, creativity is disseminated, and bridges of friendship continue to be built.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/ha-noi-sap-don-nhung-sac-mau-van-hoa-tu-khap-the-gioi-d706444.html