Nearly 50 countries gather in Hanoi for the 2025 World Cultural Festival

On the evening of October 10, at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center, the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi opened, marking the first time nearly 50 countries from five continents gathered in the capital to honor global culture and arts.

The Prime Minister and delegates performed a special ceremony (painting five-color ceramic paintings) to open the festival. Photo: QUANG PHUC

The event is jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi People's Committee. Taking place from October 10 to 12 with the theme "Culture as the foundation - Art as the means", this is considered a key cultural foreign affairs activity of Vietnam in 2025.

The festival brings together 48 countries, 45 cultural spaces, 34 international culinary booths, 23 art troupes, and dozens of film screenings, exhibitions, performances, seminars and multinational cultural exchanges.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits exhibition spaces at the festival. Photo: QUANG PHUC

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that culture is the thread that connects people to people, nation to nation, and nation to nation. The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi is a vivid demonstration of that connection, where cultures meet, exchange and shine together.

The Prime Minister commented that this first festival, as the saying goes, “all beginnings are difficult”, certainly cannot avoid initial difficulties. However, the fact that we successfully organized today’s event shows the great efforts of all parties, bringing joy and expanding the path of cultural exchange between nations and Vietnam, as well as between Vietnam and international friends.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers the opening speech. Photo: QUANG PHUC

The Prime Minister expressed his deep sympathy with the people who suffered losses due to natural disasters, as the whole country has recently been hit by many consecutive storms, causing serious floods, and called on the whole country and international friends to join hands to help people stabilize their lives soon.

The Party and State always consider culture as the spiritual foundation, the strength to unite the nation and integrate into the world, and hope that the festival will receive international support to become an annual event, spreading the spirit of sharing, solidarity and the image of a peaceful and friendly Vietnam.

Opening art program. Photo: QUANG PHUC

The World Culture Festival not only honors cultural diversity, but also demonstrates the spirit of humanity when people, regardless of language or skin color, still share a heart of sharing and solidarity, joining hands to heal the world, for a better life.

In particular, the charity auction and donation program attracted a strong response. All funds raised will be transferred to localities affected by floods, to support the reconstruction of houses, schools and civil works.

The opening ceremony took place on the evening of October 10 with a special art program "Colors of Vietnam - Rhythm of the World", bringing together many Vietnamese and international artists.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/gan-50-quoc-gia-hoi-tu-tai-ha-noi-trong-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-2025-post817417.html