Brilliant heritage colors on the opening night of the "First Thang Long

The event marks Hanoi's creative efforts to promote cultural heritage resources to boost economic development.

Attending the event were members of the Party Central Committee: Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Pham Tat Thang, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, Chairwoman of the group of female deputies of the 15th National Assembly Nguyen Thuy Anh; Alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong; representatives of central departments, ministries, branches and organizations; representatives of a number of provinces and cities; ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and international organizations.

Central and Hanoi city leaders attended the opening ceremony. Photo: Viet Thanh

Delegates from Hanoi attending the event included Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong; Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council, Deputy Head of the Hanoi National Assembly Delegation Pham Thi Thanh Mai; Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha; along with a large number of residents and tourists.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival will be an annual event organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports under the direction of the Hanoi Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha delivered the opening speech. Photo: Viet Thanh

In her opening speech, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha emphasized that the capital city of Hanoi, with its thousand-year-old tradition of culture, its sacred land and talented people, the place where the Thang Long spirit is condensed, the sacred soul of mountains and rivers, the place where Vietnamese intelligence crystallizes and shines, a place with a long history and a rich and diverse cultural heritage, has nurtured and promoted cultural creativity, creating quality cultural products and services.

In recent times, Hanoi has issued many mechanisms and policies, implementing the Resolution on the development of cultural industry, on the principle of ensuring harmony between conservation and development, maximizing the potentials, strengths, and traditional cultural values bearing the identity of the capital, connecting, expanding the network and strengthening cooperation with international organizations, experienced cities, and prestigious countries in the development of cultural industry, in order to meet the needs of cultural enjoyment and increasingly improve the standards, quality, and value of cultural products that create the brand of the capital and Vietnam in the international arena.

The Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee affirmed that the "First Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2025" is a large-scale cultural and artistic event with an open creative space, where traditional cultural values are connected with the spirit of the digital age, where folk artisans meet young artists and creators to renew and enrich the Vietnamese cultural identity in the integration era.

Immediately after that, the delegates joined a special art party with the participation of many professional actors from leading units such as Thang Long Puppetry Theatre, Hanoi Cheo Theatre, and talented artisans from communes and wards.

Special art performance at the program "Heritage - Connection - Era". *Photo: Viet Thanh*

Singer Tung Duong performs at the show. Photo: HL

Singer Anh Tu performs at the show. Photo: HL

Impressive performance combining singer and 3D projection. Photo: HL

A special art performance at the program.

The program has the theme “Heritage - Connection - Era” with 3 fascinating chapters. Chapter I named “Heritage” explores the history of Thang Long - Hanoi through Xam and Trong Quan melodies. Chapter II named “Heritage Connection” demonstrates the spread of cultural quintessence, connecting cultural heritage with localities nationwide and internationally. In this chapter, the audience can enjoy Cheo, Xam, and Ca Tru melodies in contemporary folk style, along with performances from localities such as Hat Van Hue - Cup Dance. Chapter III named “Era” affirms the present and shapes the future, demonstrating the spirit of creating new things on the basis of preserving the old, so that Vietnamese cultural values can continuously spread.

Singer Trong Tan performs at the show. *Photo: Viet Thanh*

People's Artist Thu Huyen performs at the program. *Photo: Viet Thanh*

The highlight of the program is the re-enactment of traditional festivals, honoring local identity through performances such as: Traditional wrestling, Con dia danh bong (Thanh Liet ward), Cheo Tau dance (O Dien commune), Bai Bong dance (Phu Xuyen commune), Giao Long dance (Viet Hung ward), Ai Lao dance (Phuc Loi ward) and sitting tug of war (Long Bien ward).

The program gathered famous artists such as: People's Artist Thu Huyen, Meritorious Artist Van Ty, Ca Nuong Kieu Anh, Trong Tan, Tung Duong, Anh Tu, Meritorious Artist Dieu Hang, Meritorious Artist Nhu Huynh, along with Xam Ha Thanh Group and Ca Tru Thai Ha Group. All of them created lively performances, blending tradition and modernity.

Central and Hanoi city leaders and artists attended the opening ceremony. Photo: HL

Promises to "explode" with many exciting activities

In the coming days, the "First Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2025" will take place with many exciting activities.

On November 8, events took place such as: Ao Dai parade “Bach Hoa Bo Hanh - Quintessence of Heritage” around Hoan Kiem Lake; water puppetry, prostitute playing bong, and boat rowing performances... at Ba Kieu Temple flower garden; mysterious night at Ngoc Son Temple; “Eternal Moment” program with Swiss musicians at Hanoi Museum.

On November 9, the Ao Dai Festival continued; the performance "Eternal Sound of Thang Long" took place at Van Lake.

On November 10 and 11, activities will take place such as: Craft workshop; Cheo and Cai Luong performances; "puppet solo".

On November 13, an international conference on tug-of-war rituals took place at Tran Vu Temple - Long Bien.

On November 14, there will be a community tug-of-war exchange; the Hanoi puppetry festival will be expanded around Hoan Kiem Lake.

November 15th will be the 2nd Ngoc Son Temple Mysterious Night; Cheo and Cai Luong performances.

The closing ceremony will be held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square on November 16.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ruc-ro-sac-mau-di-san-dem-khai-mac-festival-thang-long-ha-noi-lan-thu-nhat-nam-2025-722550.html