Hanoi (VNA) - The 3rd Vietnamese Culture Festival in Poland has invited international friends to discover Vietnam - a country where culture is not only a legacy but a living, heartfelt part of daily life.
Held in Warsaw’s historic Old Town Square, the festival marked the launch of the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week in Poland, continuing Vietnam’s mission to share its cultural identity with the world, particularly in this Central European nation which is known for its rich heritage.
A graceful cultural bridge
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong led the Vietnamese delegation to the opening ceremony, joined by Vietnamese Ambassador to Poland Ha Hoang Hai, Mayor of Śródmieście district Aleksander Ferens, and leaders of Vietnamese associations in Poland.
Taking place from June 22–24 in Warsaw’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the festival filled the storied square with vibrant Eastern colours and Vietnamese cultural vitality.
This year’s event marked a significant evolution in scale and depth, being the first held in the city’s historical heart—an indication of Poland’s growing appreciation for the Vietnamese culture.
More than a performance, the festival became a vibrant cultural dialogue between the two nations which are geographically distant yet connected by shared values: the love of freedom, national pride, and humanistic ideals.
The highlight was a stunning showcase by the Vietnam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre, joined by Vietnamese community artists from across Poland. Together, they delivered traditional melodies, contemporary folk dances, and collaborative musical pieces blending Vietnamese and Polish influences. Thousands of attendees, including overseas Vietnamese, Polish citizens, and tourists, gathered to enjoy this joyful and immersive celebration.
Sharing beauty of Vietnam with Europe
Jointly organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnamese Embassy in Poland, and the Vietnamese Association in Poland, the festival reinforced the strong foundation of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy.
Mayor of Śródmieście district Aleksander Ferens warmly welcomed the event, describing it as a valuable opportunity for Warsaw’s residents to experience the richness of the Vietnamese culture - a nation with deep history and vibrant traditions.
Ambassador Ha Hoang Hai affirmed that the event not only showcased Vietnam’s beauty but also strengthened friendship and cooperation between the two peoples.
Importantly, the active involvement of the Vietnamese community in Poland played a key role - not just symbolically, but substantively - as organisers, performers, and cultural ambassadors.
The festival also marked the beginning of the broader Culture and Tourism Week, featuring an art photography exhibition, displays of traditional handicrafts, showcases of Vietnamese cuisine, and presentations of tourism destinations and experiential travel products.
These events aim to rekindle a sense of home for overseas Vietnamese and inspire Polish travellers to explore Vietnam - a land of breath-taking nature, rich culture, and warm hospitality.
Vietnam and Poland, which had experienced historical challenges, now meet through culture, music, and shared dreams for the future. Invisible bridges are being built with each performance, with each flowing “ao dai” (traditional long dress of Vietnam) and iconic “non la” (conical hat), deepening the bilateral ties.
The 3rd Vietnamese Culture Festival in Poland offered a heartfelt invitation to the world - come to Vietnam, not only to see the past, but to live its vibrant, evolving culture, even in the heart of Europe./.
