Opening of the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi: Harmony of five continents in the heart of heritage

Harmony of five continents in the heart of heritage - Photo: Tran Huan

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 opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine - Mr. Saadi Salama, Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam; leaders of Central and Hanoi Departments, Ministries, and branches; representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam, along with a large number of people, tourists and international friends.

Culture connects Vietnam with the world

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

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers the opening speech at the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi - Photo: Quang Phuc

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

Recalling President Ho Chi Minh's saying - "Culture lights the way for the nation", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Party and State always attach importance to cultural development, considering culture as an endogenous strength connecting people with people, connecting economies.

Vietnam is strongly developing the cultural industry and entertainment industry, thereby contributing to the internationalization of cultural values, bringing national cultural identity to international friends; at the same time, nationalizing the quintessence of human culture, helping people enjoy the values of world civilization.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that sectors, localities and countries would continue to respond to the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi, so that the festival could become an annual brand; continue to affirm the role of endogenous strength, international solidarity and the sharing power of culture.

Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO Office in Vietnam, spoke at the opening ceremony - Photo: Tran Huan

The Prime Minister commented that the first festival can be said to be "a difficult beginning". However, the successful organization of 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.

The Prime Minister expressed his deep sympathy to the people who suffered losses due to natural disasters, as the whole country has recently suffered from many storms and severe floods. The organization of the Hanoi World Cultural Festival, 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.

The Prime Minister performed a special ceremony (painting five-color ceramic paintings) to open the festival - Photo: Quang Phuc

Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO Office in Vietnam affirmed: "The World Culture Festival in Hanoi is the first to bring 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".

Mr. Jonathan Baker affirmed that 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.

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

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

Cultural harmony of five continents

From the evening of October 10, the heritage space of Thang Long Imperial Citadel became crowded, cultural colors blended and shone through "ambassadors" such as costumes, cuisine, handicrafts, etc. Thousands of people in the capital and international tourists immersed themselves in an unprecedented festival atmosphere, with the quintessence of cultural values from five continents gathered in the heart of the world heritage of Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates visit Vietnam's exhibition booth - Photo: Tran Huan

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", the First World Cultural Festival in Hanoi is considered a key cultural diplomatic 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.

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.

Vietnam introduces unique cultural features through art programs at the Festival - Photo: Tran Huan

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.

Within the framework of the festival activities, a unique highlight is the international national costume show " Footsteps of Heritage" on the evening of October 11, where the quintessential values in 100 traditional costumes with diverse colors, materials and patterns are displayed and shine.

Promising to be the most rich and magnificent performance ever in Vietnam, Heritage Steps is not only an artistic fashion show but also a journey to honor heritage and identity - where each costume tells the story of culture, history and spirit of the nation.

Shining cultural colors - Photo: Tran Huan

The art program brings together many Vietnamese and international artists - Photo: Tran Huan

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 features an international film screening program, introducing outstanding Vietnamese and international cinematographic works at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Hall from 9am to 9pm.

For the first time, nearly 50 countries from five continents gathered in the capital to honor global culture and art - Photo: Tran Huan

The Hanoi World Cultural Festival is a connection between the Vietnamese people and peoples around the world - Photo: Tran Huan

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...

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. The closing ceremony will take place on the evening of October 12.

Opening of the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi: Harmony of five continents in the heart of heritage - Photo 12.

Art program "Colors of Vietnam - Rhythm of the world" - Photo: Tran Huan

With the spirit of Connecting - Sharing - Spreading love, the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi is not only a meeting of friendship between cultures but also a humanitarian journey towards people who are heavily affected by natural disasters.

The charity auction and fundraising program attracted a strong response. At the Heritage Footsteps event taking place on the evening of October 11, a charity auction will take place. All funds raised will be transferred to localities affected by floods, supporting the reconstruction of houses, schools and civil works.

The festival spreads the message of global solidarity in joining hands to solve human challenges, especially climate change - a challenge that no country can stand aside from.

Source: https://vtv.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-hoa-sac-nam-chau-giua-long-di-san-10025101023040975.htm