The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s admission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and promotes international cultural exchange, dialogue, and cooperation.
This year’s festival brings together participants from 50 countries, international organizations, and businesses, showcasing their culture, arts, music, cuisine, cinema, fashion, and creative industries. There will be 45 cultural spaces and 35 food stalls. The film program will feature films from 18 countries. Nineteen countries will display their traditional costumes in a fashion showcase, and 20 art troupes will perform.
The World Cultural Village is a central space where countries will showcase cultural items, and Vietnam will introduce its traditional handicrafts.
Art troupes in traditional costumes will perform the music and dances of their country’s culture at a street festival called “Colours of Five Continents” in the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake.
An area called “Creativity from Heritage – International Festival Games” will bring together heritage and technology. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in cooperation with Vietnamese businesses, will demonstrate video games inspired by Vietnam’s history and culture.
Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director-General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: “The festival’s objective is to celebrate the diversity of cultures around the world and introduce them to the Vietnamese people. It’s an opportunity to experience the culture of different continents. Through cultural exchanges, Vietnamese artists and creators can be inspired to produce new works and seek cooperation opportunities.”
The second World Cultural Festival will be a highlight of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy in 2026 as cultures from around the world converge in Hanoi – a UNESCO Creative City.
