The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi, 2025.
A convergence of diverse world cultures.
The second World Cultural Festival in Hanoi – 2026, themed “Gathering Heritage – Shaping the Future,” will take place from October 1st to 4th at Thang Long Imperial Citadel , coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership in UNESCO (1976-2026). This is a significant milestone, adding depth to an event aimed at strengthening international cultural exchange, dialogue, and cooperation.
If the inaugural event in 2025 laid the foundation for an international cultural exchange space in Hanoi, this year's festival has expanded in both scale and content. According to the Organizing Committee, 50 countries, international organizations, and businesses are participating, with diverse activities across various fields such as culture, art, music , cuisine, film, fashion, and creative industries. The festival features 45 cultural spaces, 35 food stalls; film screenings have been registered by 18 countries; the fashion space has received traditional costumes from 19 countries, and 20 international art troupes are participating.
Stage demo for the 2nd World Cultural Festival in Hanoi. Photo: Organizing Committee.
The festival's appeal lies not only in the abundance of participating countries, performing arts groups, and experiential spaces, but more importantly, each culture showcased in Hanoi adds a unique color to the overall picture, thereby fostering encounters, sharing, and understanding among communities.
The opening ceremony took place at 8 PM on October 1st at Thang Long Imperial Citadel, with the participation of many Vietnamese artists and art groups such as Honorary Professor and Artist Chu Bao Que, People's Artist Trong Phuc, 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, Central Highlands Gong Art Troupe... International art troupes from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia , Israel, South Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Peru and Ukraine also participated in the program.
The closing ceremony took place at 8 PM on October 4th, featuring performances by People's Artist Diệu Hương, People's Artist Quế Trần, Meritorious Artist Võ Minh Lâm, Hương Tràm, Anh Tú, singer Kiều Anh, the Mộc Cầm National Orchestra, and the Central Puppet Theatre. Art troupes from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, India, Iran, Mexico, Myanmar, the Philippines , Russia, and the United Arab Emirates also participated in the program.
In the series of activities, the World Cultural Village is identified as one of the central spaces. Here, countries showcase their unique traditional cultural elements, while the Vietnamese cultural space introduces Vietnamese culture and handicrafts in general, and Hanoi in particular, to domestic and international visitors. Traditional folk games from Vietnam and other countries are also introduced and performed to increase interaction with the public.
Perspective view of the festival's entrance gate. Photo: Organizing Committee
In addition, the "Concert of Five Continents" music festival features performances by professional artists from many countries. Notably, there are collaborative performances and joint acts between artists from different countries; combinations of Vietnamese instruments with international singers or foreign instruments to perform Vietnamese musical works. Programs showcasing the distinctive musical instruments of each country also contribute to promoting the musical identity of various ethnic groups.
From heritage to creative connections
Another highlight of the festival is the "Colors of Five Continents" street festival at the Ho Guom pedestrian street. International art troupes will parade in traditional costumes, combining music and characteristic dances. Notably, this year's festival dedicates space to the encounter between heritage and technology through the "Spreading Creativity from Heritage - International Festival Games" area. This is a new approach, connecting historical and cultural values with technology and creative industries.
According to Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Festival Organizing Committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will cooperate with Vietnamese businesses to introduce, release, and operate video games inspired by Vietnamese history and culture. Through these games, the public will have the opportunity to directly experience and explore heritage through modern interactive methods.
The World Cultural Festival in Hanoi opens up many spaces to showcase world heritage and culture. Photo: The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi. HNM
Cosplay performances, combined with dance moves from the game Audition and LED screen effects, created a youthful and vibrant atmosphere. The blend of heritage and creativity, tradition and modernity, Vietnam and the world demonstrated a broader approach to promoting culture in a new context. Heritage is not only presented as preserved values but can also become a source of inspiration for innovative products and new forms of experience.
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong, the value of an international cultural event lies not only in the programs organized, but also in the encounters, new understandings, and relationships formed from them. With this spirit, the second World Cultural Festival in Hanoi is expected to become a highlight of cultural diplomacy in 2026, while also contributing to making Hanoi – a UNESCO Creative City – a meeting point for diverse global cultures.
Against the backdrop of Hanoi's increasing prominence as an international cultural destination, the second World Cultural Festival is not merely a cultural event but also creates opportunities for collaboration in the fields of culture, art, tourism, and creative industries. From cultural and artistic spaces, cuisine, film, and fashion to technology-based experiences, the festival creates a diverse ecosystem of exchange where traditional values can meet new forms of expression.
From values passed down through generations to contemporary creative forms, the festival aims to portray a vibrant cultural tapestry where heritage is celebrated, art is disseminated, and international connections are expanded. This is also a way for culture to become a bridge between people, between Vietnam and the world, working towards shared values and a sustainable future of cooperation. At the same time, this is a direction for culture to truly become a creative economic sector, effectively contributing to the implementation of Resolution 80-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/san-sang-cho-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-lan-thu-hai-mo-rong-khong-gian-ket-noi-1758499.html
