The first Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi will be held from October 3-5 at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced at a press conference on September 26.

The festival will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hanoi People’s Committee, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Speaking at the press conference, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh stated that the festival highlights culture as a cornerstone of sustainable development and a bridge for connecting nations. He noted the role of culture in helping societies confront global challenges such as conflict, pandemics, and climate change, while promoting peace, prosperity, and friendship.

“This event will be a gathering place for cultures from the five continents, coming together to create a shared spirit of peace, humanity, and friendship — a message to people around the world to join hands in building a future of peace and prosperity,” Mr. Binh  said.

As of September 25,  a total of 48 embassies, international organizations, and foreign cultural centers in Vietnam have registered to participate in the festival.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Phuong Hoa,  said that for the first time, cultural representations from all five continents will be presented at a single event in Vietnam.

During  the three-day event, a wide range of events will be held, including: the Hanoi World Culture Day, the Hanoi International Culinary Program, international film screenings, the Hanoi International Folk Dance Program, the Hanoi International Fine Arts Program, the Hanoi International Costume Program / Ao Dai Festival, the Hanoi International Book Day, as well as related side activities.

With the theme “Culture as Foundation, Art as Means,”  Festival is expected to become an annual cultural diplomacy event in Hanoi,  aiming to foster people-to-people exchanges, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and affirm Vietnam’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to global peace and prosperity.