To celebrate the power of culture in uniting people and promoting world peace, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the People's Committee of Hanoi City are jointly organizing the "Second World Culture Festival in Hanoi" in 2026. The festival will take place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel National Historical Site – the heart of Hanoi's thousand-year-old cultural heritage, a place that has witnessed the historical currents and cultural exchanges of the capital city.
The second World Cultural Festival in Hanoi in 2026 will be held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO.
This year's festival brings together participants from 50 countries and international organizations, further affirming the scale and ever-expanding reach of an international cultural diplomacy event. It's an opportunity for cultures to meet, interact, and share unique values, while promoting the image of Vietnam, Hanoi , and the country's cultural values and heritage to the world.
With an upgraded scale and more diverse content compared to the first festival, the second World Culture Festival in Hanoi will feature 45 cultural spaces, 35 food stalls, a film screening program with participation from 20 countries, a fashion space with traditional costumes submitted by 15 countries, and the participation of 19 international art troupes, promising to create multicultural musical exchange spaces throughout the period from October 1-4, 2026.
Participating in the art programs are Vietnamese singers, artists, and performing groups such as Hoa Minzy , Duc Phuc, Hoang Bach, Truc Nhan, Vo Trong Phuc, Chu Bao Que, Ha Myo, Solo Drummer Truong Thu Ha, Bac Ninh Quan Ho Troupe, Hue Royal Court Traditional Arts Theatre, Central Highlands Gong Ensemble, Thanh Am Xanh Group, GomShow, and international art troupes.
The festival features a series of highlight activities, specifically:
Opening Night (8:00 PM, October 1, 2026): “Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future ” : The opening ceremony opens an artistic journey honoring Vietnam from the depths of its heritage to the space of global exchange. The program meticulously blends traditional heritage with the artistic language of the modern era. “Vietnam in Diverse Colors” fully recreates the identity of 54 ethnic groups through the performance of “Mother’s Lullaby,” a medley of folk songs from the three regions, Hue Royal Court Music, the song “Southern Land,” and the Quan Ho folk melodies of Bac Ninh .
"Five Continents Converge": Recreating a vibrant blend of colors from international art troupes (China, Russia, Peru, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Israel, Azerbaijan, Laos, Ukraine, South Korea...), affirming the spirit of respecting the diversity of human cultures. "Developing and Brightening the Future": Showcasing the vitality of Gen Z, illuminated as folk elements harmonize with Rap, Hip-hop, and EDM through performances by Hoa Minzy, Duc Phuc, Truc Nhan, Ha Myo, and Hoang Bach.
Activities and experiences at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village (morning of October 2nd, 2026): The program at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village is for international delegates to visit, learn about, and experience the distinctive cultural spaces of Vietnam's ethnic communities. Within the framework of the program, delegates will have the opportunity to learn about customs, traditions, and traditional crafts; interact with people of various ethnic groups; enjoy folk art performances; and experience traditional cuisine.
Through sightseeing, explanations, exchanges, and cultural experiences, the program vividly introduces the richness and diversity of Vietnamese ethnic cultures, thereby enhancing understanding and cultural connection between Vietnam and international friends.
The "Colors of Five Continents" Street Parade (4:00 PM, October 3, 2026) : The "Colors of Five Continents" Street Parade features 15 international art troupes from Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America, showcasing diverse and rich cultural colors; along with Vietnamese artisans and artists performing in traditional Ao Dai and costumes. The program combines stage performances and pedestrian street spaces, creating an open and vibrant cultural exchange environment, introducing the beauty, identity, and distinctive cultural values of the participating countries.
The "Concert of Five Continents" music festival (October 2-3, 2026): An open and inclusive space: At the Thang Long Imperial Citadel's circular stage, the "Concert of Five Continents" series opens up a space for direct interaction between artists and the public, thereby showcasing the diversity of art forms, music, and cultural identities from many regions around the world, bridging the gap between artists and the audience.
International musical dialogue: Performing arts groups from different continents participate in performances, showcasing various musical forms, instruments, and unique aspects of each nation's cultural life, contributing to increased understanding and connection between cultures.
Connecting Heritage with Contemporary Life: This program combines traditional cultural values with modern expression methods and technology through activities such as Cultural Cosplay - Intermingling Vietnamese Colors and the Audition - Developing with Vietnamese Culture segment, produced by VTC. Through these activities, heritage values are approached in a new way, demonstrating that heritage is not static but continuously vibrant and relevant to modern life.
Closing Ceremony (8:00 PM, October 4, 2026): “Colors Converge - Hand in Hand Towards the Future” : Concluding four vibrant days of festivities, the closing ceremony is a moment of reflection to honor and ignite hope for a long-term collaborative journey with the core message: "Closing the festival - Opening a new journey of connection."
The second "World Culture Festival in Hanoi" in 2026 holds profound significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in UNESCO. Beyond the scope of a typical performance event, the festival is a multi-dimensional cultural dialogue space – where the timeless heritage of nations shines together, where art becomes a common language for understanding, strengthening friendship, and working towards a peaceful and sustainable future for the international community.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/thong-tin-chi-tiet-ve-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-lan-thu-hai-474900.html
