Thang Long Imperial Citadel shines during the World Cultural Festival in Hanoi

“The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi” was held at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center. (Photo: WCF 2025)

This is a large-scale cultural exchange event, held for the first time in Vietnam, to honor cultural diversity, strengthen friendship and enhance people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and countries around the world.

The festival gathered 48 participating countries. Within the framework of the program, 45 national cultural spaces, 34 international culinary booths, 23 domestic and foreign art troupes, 12 units introducing books and publications, 22 countries participating in the international film screening program gathered in the sacred space of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, creating a vivid picture of the richness and connection between human civilizations.

The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi took place from October 10-12.

The opening ceremony took place at 8:00 p.m. on October 10 at the central stage of Thang Long Imperial Citadel with the participation of many Vietnamese artists such as Tung Duong, Hoa Minzy and international artists, bringing an artistic space that blends tradition and modernity.

The closing ceremony will take place at 8pm on October 12 at the same location with the participation of singer Truc Nhan, Hoang Thuy Linh and many foreign artists. The two ceremonies will apply 3D Mapping projection technology combined with special art performances, expressing the message "Culture is the bridge of humanity, creativity is the common language of the world".

Iranian traditional folk music group Sar Afshan performs at the festival. (Photo: Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

On the evening of October 11, the fashion show “Footsteps of Heritage” will be a unique highlight of the festival. Nearly 100 traditional costumes from participating countries will be presented in a grand space, recreating the journey of heritage and national identity. This is not only a fashion show but also a dialogue through the language of color, material and pattern, where heritage becomes a living breath in each design.

Along with that, on the “Cultural Road” - a multi-national exhibition space open to visitors from 9:00 to 21:30 on October 11-12, nearly 50 booths from countries such as China, Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia, France, Iran, Angola, Laos, the Philippines...

Visitors can learn about the history, art, and customs of the countries, while experiencing wearing traditional costumes and participating in live exchange activities.

Within the framework of the festival, the international film screening program takes place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Hall from 9am to 9pm, introducing outstanding Vietnamese and international cinema works, bringing a rich cinematic cultural experience to the capital's audience.

At the same time, at the round stage, traditional and international art performances take place continuously from 9:00 to 11:30, 14:30 to 17:30 and 21:00 to 21:30 with the participation of artists from Japan, Russia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Iran, Cuba, Romania, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palestine, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Philippines...

Vietnamese art performances such as Central Highlands Gong, Bac Ninh Quan Ho, Cheo, Chau Van, folk dance, etc. contribute to affirming national cultural identity in the flow of integration.

During the journey to explore the festival, the culinary area, open from 9am to 9:30pm, is an attractive stop, where visitors can enjoy traditional dishes of different countries and participate in culinary workshops with international chefs. Each dish is a cultural story, a bridge connecting people through flavors and emotions.

Experience culture through the unique dishes of different countries. (Photo: (Photo: Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism))

The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi is the largest-scale cultural event ever, affirming Hanoi's position as a center of cultural convergence - where civilizations meet and spread noble human values.

During the three-day festival, Thang Long Imperial Citadel will become the “common home of the world”, where music, colors, flavors and friendship blend in an atmosphere of solidarity and openness.

With the motto “Culture is the foundation - Art is the means”, the event not only demonstrates Vietnam’s role in global cultural dialogue but also contributes to promoting people-to-people exchanges, enhancing understanding and trust between countries, making practical contributions to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), towards peace, cooperation and common prosperity.

The event is open to the public on October 11 and 12. For the opening and closing ceremonies, audiences can register for free tickets at the official website: https://worldculturefestival.vn.

NGOC LIEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hoang-thanh-thang-long-ruc-sang-trong-le-hoi-van-hoa-the-gioi-tai-ha-noi-post913681.html