International Arts Exchange Celebrating the New Year 2026:

On the evening of January 12th, at the Ho Guom Theater, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations held an international art exchange program titled "Greeting the New Year 2026".

Hà Nội Mới•12/01/2026

The Spring Homeland medley is performed by the New Life Orchestra. Photo: Quynh Duong.

Attending the event were Central Committee delegates: Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung; Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh; Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department Pham Tat Thang...

Representing Hanoi City were: Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang; Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City Pham Anh Tuan; and Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Ky…

International delegates attending included: Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam Saadi Salama; Ambassador of Azerbaijan Shovgi Kamal Oglu; Ambassador of Poland Joanna Skoczek; Ambassador of Brunei Datin Paduka Malai Hajah Halimah Malai Haji Yussof and her husband; Ambassador of Chile Nasly Isabel Bernal; Ambassador of Cuba Rogelio Polanco Fuentes and his wife; Ambassador of Laos Khamphao Ernthavanh; Ambassador of Mongolia Jigjee Sereejav and his wife; Ambassador of Pakistan Kohdayar Marri; Ambassador of Thailand Urawadee Sriphiromya; Ambassador of Bangladesh Md. Lutfor Rahman; along with representatives from embassies and international organizations in Vietnam.

Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, Nguyen Ngoc Ky, delivered the opening remarks at the program. Photo: Quynh Duong.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Ky assessed that 2025 will be a successful year for Vietnam and the capital city in terms of foreign affairs and international integration, amidst a mix of challenges and opportunities.

Exchange and friendship activities have been organized, opening up many avenues of cooperation in economic , cultural, and social fields; attracting the attention of domestic and international public opinion, contributing to enhancing the position of Hanoi and Vietnam on the international stage. These achievements have been made possible with the great support and assistance of international friends. Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, Nguyen Ngoc Ky, expressed hope that in 2026, people-to-people diplomacy will continue to develop strongly in the era of national progress.

Ambassador of the State of Palestine Saadi Salama speaks at the event. Photo: Quynh Duong.

On behalf of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam, Ambassador Saadi Salama of the State of Palestine highly appreciated the positive results achieved by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations in people-to-people diplomacy in 2025. Through programs of meetings, dialogues, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as close coordination with diplomatic missions, international organizations, and the foreign community in Hanoi, the Union has created an open, trustworthy, and effective cooperation environment. In particular, cultural exchange activities, practical experiences, heritage site visits, and introductions to Vietnamese customs, traditions, cuisine, and social life have enabled diplomats and international friends to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture, country, and people, thereby contributing to making Vietnam's image increasingly familiar, friendly, and beloved by international friends.

Ambassador Saadi Salama affirmed that the Foreign Diplomatic Corps will continue to actively accompany and participate in activities organized by the Union, making practical contributions to strengthening and developing friendly relations and cooperation between the people of Vietnam and the people of other countries, for peace, stability and sustainable development.

The "Varenka" dance was performed by children from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam. Photo: Quynh Duong.

The meticulously staged and distinctive art program features performances by Vietnamese and international artists and actors, with a rich variety of acts from amateur foreign artists from embassies, as well as costumes and makeup appropriate to the content and traditional cultural art of the nation.

The program is a cultural and artistic event, a gift for Vietnamese delegates and international friends on the occasion of the New Year, contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship between the people of Vietnam and the people of other countries in general, and between the people of Hanoi and the people of capitals and cities around the world. The program is also an opportunity to promote the image of Hanoi - the City for Peace, the City of "Culture - Civilization - Modernity - Happiness" to international friends.

Here are some photos from the event: