Over 50 countries and international organizations are participating in the "Heritage Convergence - Shaping the Future" program in Hanoi.

On the evening of October 1st, at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Site in Hanoi, the 2nd World Culture Festival in Hanoi - 2026, themed “Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future,” officially opened. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the People's Committee of Hanoi.

Attending the opening ceremony were Party Central Committee Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra ; Party Central Committee member and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh; Party Central Committee member, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van; and Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department Bui Hoai Son.

Also attending were Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; current and former leaders of the Party and State; and representatives of diplomatic agencies and international organizations.

Culture connects Vietnam with the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized that the 2nd World Cultural Festival is an opportunity to meet and connect cultures, spreading the spirit of friendship, creativity, and dialogue for peace and development.

The event is all the more significant as it takes place on the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO, at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a World Heritage site and a symbol representing the historical depth, cultural vitality, and aspirations for peace and prosperity of the Vietnamese people.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in a constantly changing world, digital technology , artificial intelligence, and new methods of communication are profoundly altering how people create, receive, and disseminate cultural values. This also creates the conditions for heritage to continue to live, be passed on, be created, and become a resource for sustainable development.

Vietnam recognizes culture as both the spiritual foundation of society and a crucial goal, driving force, and resource for the nation. The Vietnamese Party and State prioritize building and promoting an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity; proactively absorbing the finest aspects of human culture, strengthening international exchange and cooperation, thereby transforming cultural values ​​into intrinsic strength to serve rapid and sustainable development.

“Preservation must be linked to promotion; tradition must be linked to creativity; heritage must be linked to contemporary life; culture must be linked to people and development; and at the same time, we must promote the application of science, technology and artificial intelligence to digitize, preserve, restore and promote heritage, bringing genuine cultural values ​​closer to the community, especially the younger generation,” Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hope that the Festival would contribute to spreading sustainable values, conveying a message of connection, cooperation for mutual development; cherishing, preserving and passing on heritage, while continuing to innovate to enrich the heritage values ​​of each nation and all of humanity.

Through this, the Festival is gradually creating a space for international cultural exchange, where the world comes to Vietnam and Vietnam becomes closer to friends from all over the world.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, assessed that the theme of the Festival reflects UNESCO's profound belief, stemming from its fundamental mission of building peace in the minds of every person.

According to Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, cultural diversity is a source of inspiration for creativity, dialogue, and mutual understanding—values ​​that the world desperately needs. The gathering of over 50 countries, showcasing the essence of their cultural identities and expressions, while sharing the common joy of peace, is a meaningful act that contributes to realizing this mission.

“A festival like this offers values ​​that mere policy dialogues can hardly replace: the opportunity to directly experience different cultures through music, crafts, and how cultural values ​​are present in daily life. These experiences can help change perspectives and open up new dialogues,” shared the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

The opening night featured an artistic program with the participation of many artists and art groups such as Honorary Professor and Artist Chu Bao Que; People's Artist Trong Phuc; singers Truc Nhan, Hoa Minzy, Duc Phuc, Hoang Bach, Ha Myo; GOM Show; solo drummer Thu Ha; Thanh Am Xanh Group; Hue Royal Court Traditional Arts Theatre; Bac Ninh Quan Ho Theatre; Trong Dong Group; and the Central Highlands Gong Art Troupe.

International performing arts groups participating in the opening night came from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Israel, South Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Peru, and Ukraine.

45 cultural spaces, 35 food stalls

The 2nd World Culture Festival in Hanoi, held from October 1st to 4th, created a space to showcase the diverse cultures of Vietnam and other countries around the world, while also promoting cultural dialogue, where each nation presents its unique values ​​and finds common ground in diversity.

This year's festival features 45 cultural spaces and 35 food stalls. The film screening program includes entries from 18 countries, the fashion space showcases traditional costumes from 19 countries, and there are performances by 20 international art troupes.

The centerpiece of the event series is the World Cultural Village. The spaces here are decorated to highlight the unique and distinctive traditional cultural elements of many countries.

The Vietnamese Cultural Space showcases the cultural values ​​and unique handicrafts of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular to people in the country and international friends.

Within the framework of the festival, there is also the Five Continents Music Festival, featuring performances by professional artists from many countries. Activities such as cultural exchanges and introductions to characteristic musical instruments contribute to promoting the musical identity of different nations and strengthening cultural exchange.

On October 3rd, the "Colors of Five Continents" street festival is scheduled to take place on the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian street. International art troupes will parade in traditional costumes, combining music and characteristic dances, creating additional experiential products for locals and domestic and international tourists.

Another highlight is the "Spreading Creativity from Heritage - International Festival Games" area, offering an experiential space connecting historical and cultural values ​​with technology and creative industries.

Against the backdrop of Hanoi gradually asserting its role as an international cultural destination, the 2nd Hanoi World Culture Festival opens up further opportunities for exchange and cooperation in the fields of culture, arts, tourism, and creative industries.

Through experiential activities, performances, and international exchanges, culture continues to be promoted as a bridge between people, between Vietnam and the world, towards shared values ​​and a sustainable cooperative future.

This is also an approach aimed at promoting cultural values ​​associated with the creative economy, contributing to the implementation of Resolution 80-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/hon-50-quoc-gia-to-chuc-quoc-te-cung-hoi-tu-di-san---kien-tao-tuong-lai-tai-ha-noi-d711209.html