Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi’s Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a timeworn fortress steeped in over a millennium of Vietnamese history, will transform into a kaleidoscopic stage for the Cultures of the World Festival, heralded as a “shared home” where music, art, cuisine, and human connection intertwine to create a vivid mosaic of global diversity and unity.
The October 10–12 festival, poised to be Vietnam’s flagship international cultural diplomacy event in 2025, will draw the largest-ever number of foreign entities in a display of global traditions through performances, exhibitions, and culinary experiences that transcend borders.
Organisers anticipate a convergence of 48 nations, with 45 cultural booths, 34 international food stalls, 23 performing arts troupes from Vietnam and abroad, 12 publishers and book exhibitors, and representatives from 22 countries attending film screenings.
Set within the ancient embrace of the Thang Long Citadel, the festival will envelop visitors in a whirlwind of art, music, film, fashion, and gastronomy.
The opening ceremony on October 10 evening will unfold under the night sky, with Vietnamese superstars like Tung Duong and Hoa Minzy sharing the stage with foreign performers, amped up by 3D mapping projections that will make the stage a glowing symbol of worldwide unity.
The closing ceremony on October 12 will be no less electric, featuring artists like Truc Nhan and Hoang Thuy Linh alongside global troupes. Their performances, pulsing with energy, will draw the festival to a close in a crescendo of creativity and shared humanity.
At the heart of the event lies the “Heritage Steps” fashion show on October 11, a procession of nearly 100 traditional costumes from participating nations. Each garment, a woven chronicle of cultural identity and history, will trace a journey that honours heritage while celebrating the beauty of global cultures.
“Cultural Avenue”, open from 9:00 to 21:30 on October 11–12, will pulse with life, hosting nearly 50 booths representing China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the US, Russia, France, Iran, Angola, Laos and the Philippines. Visitors can immerse themselves in each country’s history, art, language, and customs, trying on traditional attire, savoring signature dishes, or engaging in folk games.
In the main hall, international film screenings will run from 9:00 to 21:00 on both days, presenting a curated selection of cinematic works from Vietnam and beyond, each frame a window into another culture’s soul.
A circular stage will serve as the festival’s beating heart, hosting Vietnamese performances like Central Highlands gong ensembles, Bac Ninh folk singing, cheo (Vietnamese traditional opera), chau van (spiritual chants), and folk dances, alongside acts from Japan, Russia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Iran, Cuba, Romania, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palestine, Venezuela, the UAE, and the Philippines.
Foodies will consume in paradise with culinary workshops and a smorgasbord of global cuisines, turning the festival into a tasty cultural melting pot where art and food speak louder than words.
The event, run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi People’s Committee, will be free of charge to the public on October 11–12. Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies can be reserved at no cost via the event’s official website./.
