This is a large-scale cultural and diplomatic event, held for the first time in Viet Nam, aiming to honour cultural diversity, strengthen friendship, and promote people-to-people exchanges between Viet Nam and countries around the world.
The festival gathers representatives from 48 countries. Within its framework, 45 national cultural spaces, 34 international food stalls, 23 domestic and foreign art troupes, 12 publishing units, and 22 countries participating in the international film screening programme will together transform the sacred space of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel into a vivid panorama of global civilisation and cultural connection.
The opening ceremony will take place at 8 p.m. on October 10 at the central stage of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, while the closing ceremony will be held at the same venue at 8 p.m. on October 12. Both ceremonies will feature 3D mapping technology and exceptional artistic performances conveying the message “Culture is the bridge of humanity, and creativity is the common language of the world.”
On the evening of October 11, the fashion show “Heritage Steps” will serve as a unique highlight of the festival. Nearly 100 traditional costumes from participating countries will be showcased in a grand setting, recreating the journey of heritage and national identity. This is not merely a fashion show but a dialogue through colours, textures, and patterns, where heritage becomes a living breath within each design.
Meanwhile, the “Cultural Path”, a multinational exhibition route open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on October 11–12, will feature nearly 50 booths from countries such as China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the US, Russia, France, Iran, Angola, Laos, and the Philippines.
Visitors can explore the history, art, and customs of different nations while experiencing traditional costumes and participating in interactive cultural exchanges.
As part of the festival, the international film screening programme will take place at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Hall from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., showcasing outstanding cinematic works from Viet Nam and around the world, offering audiences in the capital a rich and diverse cultural experience.
At the round stage, traditional and international art performances will be held continuously from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring artists from Japan, Russia, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Iran, Cuba, Romania, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Palestine, Venezuela, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Philippines.
Vietnamese art performances such as Central Highlands gong culture, Bac Ninh quan ho folk singing, cheo singing, chau van ritual singing, and folk dance will help affirm the nation’s cultural identity amid the flow of global integration.
During the festival journey, the food street area, open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., will be an attractive stop for visitors to enjoy traditional dishes from various countries and join culinary workshops with international chefs. Each dish tells a cultural story, a bridge connecting people through taste and emotion.
The first Cultures of the World Festival in Ha Noi stands as the largest cultural event ever held in the city, affirming Ha Noi’s status as a centre of cultural convergence—where civilisations meet and the finest human values are shared and celebrated.
