Opening of the first Hanoi World Cultural Festival

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates perform the opening ceremony of the festival. Photo: Phan Anh.

Attending the event were: Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam; Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong; Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Council Pham Thi Thanh Mai; Mr. Saadi Salama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine, Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam.

Culture is an endogenous resource connecting Vietnam with the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the representatives of the countries contributing to the event, and emphasized the role of culture in connecting people, countries and the world.

“Culture has no borders, so the Hanoi World Cultural Festival is also a connection between the Vietnamese people and peoples around the world,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits cultural spaces at the Festival. Photo: Duy Khanh

Recalling President Ho Chi Minh's words at the first National Cultural Conference in 1946 that "Culture lights the way for the nation", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Party always attaches importance to cultural development, considering culture as an endogenous strength connecting people and economies. Vietnam is developing cultural and entertainment industries, thereby contributing to promoting national identity with international friends, helping people enjoy Vietnamese culture and world civilization.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the opening ceremony. Photo: Phan Anh.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that sectors, localities and countries with relations with Vietnam will continue to respond to the Hanoi World Cultural Festival, so that the festival becomes an annual brand; continue to make culture an endogenous strength, a strength of international solidarity, and a strength of sharing.

In addition to honoring culture, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also reminded: Currently, the whole country is struggling with storms and floods. A part of the population is facing difficulties due to natural disasters.

At the event, the Prime Minister called for sharing, contributions and cooperation from people across the country and international friends. The organization of the Hanoi World Cultural Festival on this occasion, in addition to honoring the beauty of Vietnamese and world culture, also has the meaning of expressing the spirit of sharing, "national love, compatriotism". The program has meaningful content to raise charity for people who have been heavily affected by the recent storms and floods.

Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO Office in Vietnam, speaking. Photo: Phan Anh.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO Office in Vietnam, affirmed: “For a long time, Hanoi has been a bridge between cultures, a city where traditional values intersect with creativity. The Hanoi World Culture Festival is organized for the first time, bringing together artists, communities and countries to share traditional values and creative innovation, to listen and affirm that cultural differences do not divide us, but actually connect us together,” he said.

According to Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO will participate and accompany many events in the festival, such as: Vietnamese Tea Culture Experience Program; coordinate with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports to organize a workshop on the role of youth in shaping the creative future of the city.

Each activity demonstrates the shared commitment of UNESCO, Hanoi and Vietnam to put culture at the heart of sustainable development, empower communities and promote creativity as a driving force for inclusion and development.

Cultural diversity at the festival

The Hanoi World Culture Festival will feature many experiential, performance and interactive activities with 45 national cultural spaces, 34 international culinary booths, 23 domestic and foreign art troupes, 12 units introducing books and publications, and 22 units and organizations participating in the international film screening program.

Performing arts performances at the opening ceremony. Photo: Phan Anh.

In addition to the opening ceremony, a unique highlight is the international national costume show “Footsteps of Heritage”, taking place on the evening of October 11 with nearly 100 traditional costumes diverse in color, material and pattern; promising to be the richest and most spectacular international national costume show ever in Vietnam.

“Heritage Footsteps” is not only an artistic fashion show but also a journey to honor heritage and identity – where each outfit tells the story of culture, history and spirit of the nation. At the event, the Organizing Committee will auction a number of collections to raise funds to support people severely affected by storms and floods.

From October 11 to 12, visitors can visit booths from China, Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia, France, Iran, Angola, Laos, the Philippines, etc., and explore the unique history, art, language, costumes and customs of each country.

In particular, visitors have the opportunity to experience wearing traditional costumes of Vietnam and other countries.

The festival also includes an international film screening program, introducing outstanding Vietnamese and international cinema works at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Hall from 9am to 9pm.

At the round stage, there will be many traditional art programs and international performances during the time slots of 9:00–11:30, 14:30–17:30 and 21:00–21:30, with performances such as: Central Highlands gongs, Bac Ninh quan ho, cheo, chau van, folk dance...

In addition, at the Food Quarter, visitors can explore multinational cuisine and participate in culinary workshops to learn about typical dishes of many different cultures.

The World Culture Festival in Hanoi is open to the public on October 11 and 12, 2025. The closing ceremony will take place from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on October 12.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-ha-noi-lan-thu-nhat-719217.html