Hanoi hosts second World Culture Festival with 50 nations

The second Hanoi World Culture Festival 2026 concluded at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, bringing together representatives from 50 countries. Held under the theme ‘Converging Heritage – Creating the Future,’ the four-day event featured 45 cultural spaces, 19 international art troupes, and 35 culinary stalls. The festival coincided with Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of joining UNESCO.

During the closing ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh emphasized that cultural industries serve as a national soft power and a driver for development. The event showcased diverse performances, including traditional arts from Iran, Russia, Mexico, Myanmar, and Belgium, alongside Vietnamese folk music and contemporary dance.

In addition to the festival, national discussions are underway regarding the role of culture as an internal strength for the country’s new era. This includes efforts to transform cultural values into economic resources and to enhance the protection of heritage through digital transformation and international cooperation.