Affirming the pioneering role of culture in promoting international cooperation and building bridges of friendship between nations

On the evening of October 12, at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Center (Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center - Hanoi), the Closing Ceremony of the First World Cultural Festival in Hanoi took place, an event chaired by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi People's Committee.

Attending the closing ceremony were Party Central Committee member, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung; Alternate Party Central Committee member, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van; Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen along with ambassadors, heads of representative offices, officials of diplomatic agencies in Hanoi and thousands of people.

The presence of many distinguished guests from home and abroad not only demonstrates the stature and prestige of the event, but also affirms Vietnam's increasingly high position on the international cultural cooperation map.

Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung delivered the closing speech of the Festival.

In his closing speech at the Festival, Minister Nguyen Van Hung emphasized that the Vietnamese State has identified sustainable development based on cultural and human development as the foundation, and promoting foreign affairs and international integration as essential and regular. On the path to realizing that goal, a very important condition is the need for a peaceful and stable environment and effective cooperation between countries and like-minded partners.

Art program at the ceremony.

The Vietnamese people are civilized and heroic with thousands of years of history, have a tradition of loving peace; always understand and act for stability and cooperation; always clearly perceive and consider preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage, respecting and protecting nature as gratitude to tradition, ensuring the right to development of future generations, ensuring the rapid and sustainable development of the country.

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  Minister Nguyen Van Hung: World Cultural Festival in Hanoi affirms the power of culture in connecting people with people

The first World Cultural Festival in Vietnam is a vivid proof; originated from the initiative of Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly - Wife of General Secretary To Lam on organizing an international cultural event in the capital Hanoi - a place to honor the unique beauty of each country - affirm the power of culture in connecting people to people - and is a vivid picture of the Unity in Diversity of humanity.

Held from October 10-12, 2025, the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi has 48 countries and international organizations participating, with many unique cultural spaces and events, from the exhibition "Cultural Road", to the International Costume Show with the theme "Heritage Footsteps"/Ao Dai Festival, film screenings introducing art and culture, Book Festival, to activities introducing culinary arts of countries and 30 international art performances, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to visit and experience every day.

Singer Truc Nhan performs at the closing ceremony

We have spent memorable days together, witnessing the wonderful exchange of cultures from around the world at the historic Thang Long Imperial Citadel - a world cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO - within the framework of the first World Cultural Festival; we have shared, learned and overcome all language and geographical barriers to get closer together; we have created a space to introduce and promote the diversity and richness of cultures; we have joined hands to contribute to maintaining international peace and security by strengthening cooperation between countries on culture in accordance with UNESCO's principles; we have affirmed the pioneering role of culture in promoting international cooperation and building a bridge of friendship between peoples, implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, bringing common prosperity to the international community.

Not only is it a meeting of friendship between cultures around the world, with the message "The world beats together with love", within the framework of the Festival, the Organizing Committee has carried out an auction and charity donation program with a total budget of 2.5 billion VND, in which all the funds raised will be transferred to localities in Vietnam that suffered damage due to floods, to support the reconstruction of houses, schools and civil works, support the reconstruction of people's lives; spreading a strong message of the spirit of sharing and resilience.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh presented flowers and commemorative medals of gratitude to sponsors.

In the solemn and warm atmosphere of the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van and Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen represented the Organizing Committee to present commemorative medals to 48 participating countries, as a thank you and recognition for the important contributions of the Diplomatic Corps, contributing to creating a diverse cultural picture in Hanoi and the success of the Festival.

Along with that, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh also presented flowers and commemorative medals of gratitude to sponsors and units accompanying the program.

Art performance by Pakistani artists

Art performance by Iranian artists

Looking back at the three days of the event, the first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi was truly a journey to spread Vietnam's pride, creativity and international integration spirit. The festival marked its mark with 30 unique art performances, 17 international art troupes, 34 films from many countries, and more than 1 million visitors.

These impressive figures demonstrate the appeal of culture in contemporary social life. In the heritage space of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, music, light, performing arts and international cuisine have blended together to create a multidimensional, vibrant picture of global cultural exchange.

Performance by singer Hoang Thuy Linh

The first World Cultural Festival in Hanoi ended in the brilliant light of Thang Long Imperial Citadel but opened a new door for international cooperation and cultural exchange.

From now on, Hanoi – City for Peace will continue to shine as the cultural heart of Vietnam, where traditional values ​​meet modernity, where friends from all over the world share the same love, together creating a world connected by culture and humanity. Vietnam continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to promoting exchange, understanding and peace among nations, while affirming that culture is the foundation and soft power of the country in the era of national development.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khang-dinh-vai-tro-tien-phong-cua-van-hoa-trong-thuc-day-hop-tac-quoc-te-va-xay-dung-cau-noi-huu-nghi-giua-cac-dan-toc-20251013104414056.htm