Unique activities celebrate 20th anniversary of Hanoi’s ‘City for Peace’ title

A grand ceremony and a street carnival, themed ‘A peaceful heart’, were held at the Ly Thai To flower park in Hanoi on July 13 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city’s recognition as ‘City for Peace’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) (July 16, 1999 – 2019).

The ceremony is an important activity marking the milestone of 20-years of development across all fields in the capital city, being worthy of the title "City for Peace".
The ceremony is an important activity marking the milestone of 20-years of development across all fields in the capital city, being worthy of the title "City for Peace".

The release of pigeons conveys Hanoians’ aspirations for peace and prosperity.

After the ceremony, over 100,000 artisans, artists and people of the capital city joined a lively street festival in the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake.

At the street festival, themed ‘A peaceful heart’, participants were divided into different blocs, which included: internationals, folk, trade villages, religion, the elderly, arts and sports, intellectuals and workers, and the youth.

The programme aims to promote the culture and people of Hanoi to international friends as well as boosting the pride of Hanoians for the peaceful city, while raising public awareness of preserving and promoting the value of the ‘City for Peace’ title, towards a peaceful, prosperous and happy world.

The festival featured performances imbued with the typical culture of Hanoi, notably a parade of girls wearing Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dresses).

The unique dance of men from Trieu Khuc village.

Children performing a dance in the Ca tru (ceremonial singing) arts.

International artists join the street carnival.

The carnival creates a focal point for the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem Lake, attracting a large number of people and visitors.