On the evening of October 1st, at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage site, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Hanoi People's Committee jointly organized the opening ceremony of the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi 2026 with the theme: "Gathering Heritage - Shaping the Future".
In her opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that the festival, held in Hanoi – the City for Peace – is a place where cultures converge and connect, spreading the spirit of friendship, creativity, and dialogue for peace and development. The event is even more significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister , heritage is the memory of each nation, the crystallization of wisdom, labor, and creativity over thousands of years of history. However, heritage does not belong only to the past but is also present in present life, becoming an important resource for building the future.
Each nation and each people has its own unique heritage, but when they converge, they create a diversity of cultural expression, enriching the treasury of human civilization. From folk songs, dances, music , and folk performing arts to costumes, cuisine, traditional crafts, historical sites, scenic spots, festivals, and folk knowledge, each value tells stories about people, homelands, and aspirations passed down through generations.
"The convergence of heritage is the convergence of people; the convergence of culture is the convergence of shared values of humanity," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
Party Central Committee Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra delivered the opening speech at the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi in 2026.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that Hanoi is a special space for such convergence. It is a city with a thousand years of history, preserving its rich cultural heritage while simultaneously innovating, opening its doors to integration, looking towards the future, and reaching for the times.
In a constantly changing world, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and new communication methods are transforming how people create, receive, and disseminate cultural values. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, these achievements also open up opportunities for heritage to continue to be passed on, innovated, and become a resource for sustainable development.
"Vietnam identifies culture as both the spiritual foundation of society and an important goal, driving force, and resource of the country," the Deputy Prime Minister said, while emphasizing the need to link preservation with promotion, tradition with creativity, heritage with contemporary life, culture with people and development.
The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that it is necessary to promote the application of science, technology, and artificial intelligence in the digitization, preservation, restoration, and promotion of heritage, thereby bringing cultural values closer to the community, especially the younger generation.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra expressed her hope that the festival would not only leave beautiful impressions but also spread sustainable values, conveying three messages: gathering to understand each other, connecting to develop together.
Respecting and preserving heritage for transmission and creating to enrich the value of heritage for each nation and humanity; from festivals to the creation of an international cultural space, where the world comes to Vietnam and Vietnam gets closer to the world.
"We hope the Festival will become a regular meeting point for world culture; a space for dialogue, creativity, and international cultural cooperation; where heritage values are gathered, disseminated, and together we can build the future," the Deputy Prime Minister expressed.
The aspiration to transform the festival into an international cultural hub has also received the approval of UNESCO.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre, stated that the theme "Heritage Convergence - Shaping the Future" clearly reflects UNESCO's belief in the role of cultural diversity in promoting creativity, dialogue, and understanding among peoples.
According to Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, in the context of a world facing numerous upheavals, conflicts, and climate change, the gathering of more than 50 countries in Hanoi, showcasing their unique cultural identities and expressions, is a meaningful act in UNESCO's peace-building mission.
Over the four days of the festival, from October 1st to 4th, 45 cultural spaces, 35 food stalls, international art troupes, and numerous film, fashion, and creative industry activities will create a diverse cultural exchange space at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo assessed that celebrating world culture in a heritage space like Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a connection between the past, present, and future, and demonstrates the vitality of heritage in contemporary life.
2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO. According to the Director of the World Heritage Centre, over the past five decades, the cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO has shown that culture and heritage can bridge gaps, build trust, and strengthen ties between nations.
He expects the festival to provide delegates, artists, and the public with an opportunity to discover new cultural values, build connections, and enhance understanding of shared human values.
In an atmosphere of excitement, the delegates officially launched the second World Cultural Festival with an opening ceremony at Thang Long Imperial Citadel Square. The program continued with musical performances from Vietnamese and international artists.
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-lan-thu-hai-hon-50-quoc-gia-hoi-tu-tai-ha-noi-204261001205313302.htm
