Hanoi announces framework for the 2026 Creative Design Festival.

The announcement of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026 Framework and the launch of the Hanoi Creative Space Network marks a preparatory step for the expansion of creative activities in the capital city, in line with the orientation of building an urban design ecosystem.

On the evening of December 10th, at the Hanoi Children's Palace, the Hanoi People's Committee held a ceremony to announce the framework for the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026 and launch the Hanoi Creative Space Network.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha said that Hanoi was the first city in Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO as a member of the Creative Cities Network in the field of design since 2019. Over the past six years, Hanoi has strived to fulfill its international commitments, promoting creative activities linked to urban life and the exploitation of heritage, thereby building the image of a dynamic Asian capital.

One aspect highly praised by UNESCO is Hanoi's maintenance of the annual Creative Design Festival with diverse themes, placing the community at its center.

Representatives of Hanoi's creative spaces were awarded certificates recognizing them as Creative Cultural Spaces. (Photo: Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports)

Based on practical experience, the city decided to expand the festival model, shifting it to an urban innovation ecosystem and organizing it every two years in November. The activity framework was announced early to allow organizations, experts, businesses, and the community to actively participate. The city will also award prizes and honor models, individuals, and businesses that have made outstanding contributions to urban innovation.

According to the Hanoi People's Committee, the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026, themed "Creative Economy ," aims to connect businesses, craft villages, artisans, designers, universities, and experts. The event will run from January to November 2026 and will be implemented across five main spaces: the heritage space at Dong Xuan-Bac Qua Market and the Dong Xuan Cultural Industry Center; the Ke Cho space in the Old Quarter with its 36 streets; the future space in the park system; the ecological space in the riverside and along the Red River; and the community space at cultural institutions throughout the city.

The city expects that new, innovative ideas will effectively leverage the value of tangible and intangible heritage and traditional crafts, forming models capable of long-term development.

According to Hoang Thuc Hao, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, the role of architects, designers, artists, and artisans is increasingly important in creating cultural spaces where ideas are nurtured and developed into concrete solutions for the community.

The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026 will kick off with a Creative Gathering event held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the Hoan Kiem Lake area. The event is directed by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Vietnam Association of Architects, organized by the Department of Culture and Sports and Architecture Magazine, with the support of UNESCO, Sovico Group, and many other partners.

At the announcement ceremony, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports also awarded Certificates of Hanoi Creative Cultural Space to 82 spaces that met the criteria of the Network of Creative Cultural Spaces, adding an important force to the capital's creative ecosystem.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/ha-noi-cong-bo-khung-le-hoi-thiet-design-sang-tao-2026-218337.html