Representatives from 50 countries and international organisations will attend the 2nd Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi 2026 (1-4 October).
The festival has been held to celebrate Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of being a member of UNESCO (1976-2026) with the theme “Converging Heritage – Shaping the Future”. The events will take place at Thang Long Imperial Citadel and other locations in Hanoi.
The festival will highlight the cultural diversity and the key role of culture in national integration and serve as a forum for the exchange of information and culture between Vietnam and participating countries, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong.
At the opening ceremony on October 1, Vietnamese artists such as Duc Phuc, Hoa Minzy, Truc Nhan and Hoang Bach will be joined by international artists from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Israel, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Pakistan and Peru.
On October 4th, the closing ceremony will gather together Vietnamese artists and international troupes from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, India, Iran, Mexico, Myanmar, the Philippines, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to the two major shows, there will be 45 cultural spaces and 35 food stalls. The film screening programme has 18 countries registered, and 19 countries are exhibiting traditional costumes. Twenty art groups from across the globe are also to take part.
One of the new highlights this year is the International Festival Games, where Vietnamese traditional cultural and historical elements are reflected in technology products and video games.
It will also include cosplay competitions and dance performances based on games to give younger generations a different means of experiencing the country’s cultural heritage.
With the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, the festival will feature a traditional costume show around Hoan Kiem Lake, a parade and cultural, culinary and heritage events.
Director of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Phuong Hoa said technology and creative industries are providing new avenues for storytelling of heritage and converting historical and cultural materials into experiences for the modern audience.
The festival is anticipated to become a lively gathering of Hanoi and other cultures around the world as well as a bridge linking traditional culture and new manifestations and a way to bring cultural stories closer to the people.
