The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi People's Committee, took place from October 1st to 4th with the theme "Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future". The festival was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO.
In her opening remarks at the festival, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized: “Heritage is the memory of each nation, the crystallization of intellect, labor, and creativity over thousands of years of history. But heritage does not belong only to the past. Heritage values are present in the present and are an important resource for building the future.”
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra and delegates attend the opening ceremony of the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi – 2026. Photo: QUANG PHUC
"The convergence of heritage is the convergence of people; the convergence of culture is the convergence of shared human values," the Deputy Prime Minister said, while expressing his hope that the festival would become a regular meeting point for world culture, a space for dialogue, creativity, and international cooperation.
Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, also emphasized that the vitality of heritage lies in its ability to be continued and connected to people today. He highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in connecting heritage with contemporary life.
Delegates perform the opening ceremony of the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi – 2026. Photo: QUANG PHÚC
“At the recent Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity, we collectively recognized how heritage endures – not by standing still, but by being understood, deciphered, and passed down through generations,” emphasized Lazare Eloundou Assomo.
Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo stated that the theme "Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future" reflects UNESCO's belief in cultural diversity as a source of creativity, dialogue, and understanding among peoples.
The opening art performance of the festival. Photo by QUANG PHÚC
On the opening night, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel space was showcased with 3D mapping, combining Hue royal court music, Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs, and the song "Southern Land" with performances by art troupes from China, Laos, Peru, Pakistan, and South Korea... The program then shifted to contemporary genres such as Rap, Hip-hop, and EDM, creating a fusion between traditional and modern music.
Artistic performances during the opening ceremony. Photo by QUANG PHÚC
In the coming days, the festival continues with a series of activities such as the "Concert of Five Continents," the "Colors of Five Continents" street parade on the pedestrian street, and experiential programs at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village...
This year's festival features participation from 50 countries and international organizations; 45 cultural spaces, 35 food stalls, 18 countries registering to screen films, and 19 international art troupes with 220 artists from 5 continents.
VINH XUAN
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hoang-thanh-thang-long-ruc-sang-dem-khai-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-2026-post874480.html
