Hanoi (VNA) – The second Thang Long–Hanoi Festival, themed “Heritage Flow,” will take place from September 11 to 20, transforming some of the capital’s most iconic heritage sites into vibrant cultural spaces that connect history with contemporary life.
Organised by the Hanoi People's Committee, the annual festival is designed to honour the rich cultural legacy of the thousand-year-old capital while reaffirming the enduring vitality of Thang Long heritage in a rapidly modernising city. The event also reflects Hanoi's commitment to implementing its cultural development strategy in line with the Politburo's Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on Vietnamese cultural development.
Specifically, the festival will be held at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Museum, and Bat Trang pottery village - locations that embody the city's distinctive cultural layers and where heritage remains an integral part of everyday life.
According to the organising board, the festival offers an opportunity to reflect on the capital's cultural legacy, where heritage is not only preserved but also brought to life in contemporary society. Hanoi is committed to ensuring that heritage conservation goes hand in hand with creativity and community participation.
Under the theme “Heritage Flow,” the event will showcase the connection between tradition and modernity, encouraging new artistic interpretations of cultural heritage while fostering international cultural exchange and supporting the growth of Hanoi's cultural industries. The festival also reinforces the city's aspiration to strengthen its position as one of the region's leading creative hubs.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for the evening of September 11 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, where a large-scale artistic performance combining traditional cultural elements with modern stage technology will recount the historical and cultural journey of Thang Long–Hanoi in an immersive contemporary setting.
Throughout the festival, visitors will enjoy a diverse programme of performances and interactive experiences across the capital's cultural spaces. At the Imperial Citadel, a contemporary music concert on September 12 will blend modern musical expressions drawn from heritage, bringing traditional culture closer to younger audiences. The following day, an international artistic exchange programme will provide opportunities for Vietnamese and foreign artists to collaborate and create new cultural dialogues.
One of the festival's highlights will be the fashion showcase "The Colour of Hanoi" on September 18 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, where contemporary designers will reinterpret traditional materials and cultural motifs through innovative collections reflecting the spirit of today's Hanoi.
On September 19, Bat Trang pottery village will host the artistic performance "Echoes of Ceramics". The festival will conclude on September 20 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, bringing the "Heritage Flow" journey to a close while encouraging its lasting influence on community cultural life.
Beyond its artistic performances, the festival will feature a series of heritage experience spaces across Hanoi. At the Temple of Literature, exhibitions and interactive activities will enable visitors to explore cultural heritage through innovative presentation formats. Meanwhile, the Hanoi Museum will host displays highlighting traditional craft villages alongside demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage, illustrating how traditional values continue to contribute to the city's sustainable development.
A special highlight following the festival will be the immersive performance "Thang Long Royal Banquet," scheduled for October 10 at the Imperial Citadel. Combining theatrical storytelling with culinary experiences, the programme will offer visitors a multi-sensory exploration of the cultural heritage of the ancient imperial capital.
With its comprehensive programme, creative approach and strong emphasis on public participation, the Thang Long–Hanoi Festival 2026 is expected to become one of the capital's signature cultural events, promoting Hanoi's identity as a city of heritage, creativity and international integration./.
