Hanoi is set to host the first Cultures of the World Festival from October 10 to 12 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, celebrating global cultural diversity and promoting people-to-people exchanges through art, fashion, film, and cuisine.

The first Cultures of the World Festival will take place from October 10 to 12 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi.

Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi People’s Committee, the event marks one of Vietnam’s most important cultural diplomacy activities of 2025.

According to the organisers, the event will feature 48 participating countries with 45 national cultural spaces, 34 international culinary booths, 23 art troupes, 12 publishing units, and film screenings from 22 countries.

Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the MCST’s Department of International Cooperation, described it as the largest cultural festival ever held in Vietnam, noting that it will honour the unity in diversity among the world’s cultures and reaffirm culture’s vital role as a sustainable bridge linking nations.

Throughout the three days, visitors will enjoy an immersive experience filled with vibrant performances, traditional costumes, folk music and dance, international cuisine, and film screenings – all set against the historic backdrop of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO-recognised heritage site and cultural symbol of the capital.

The opening ceremony, slated for October 10 evening, will feature Vietnamese stars alongside international performers, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary art. The closing gala on October 12 will include performances of local and international artists. Both events will combine live shows with 3D mapping displays.

A major highlight of the festival is a fashion show on October 11, featuring nearly 100 traditional costumes from participating countries. More than a fashion event, it will be a celebration of identity and heritage where each outfit tells the story of a nation’s history, artistry, and spirit.

Visitors can explore pavilions representing nearly 50 countries, including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, France, the US, Iran, Laos, and the Philippines. Each space will offer glimpses into local traditions, languages, and arts, as well as opportunities to try on traditional attire and join interactive activities.

The festival will also include an international film programme and a multicultural food street where visitors can savour signature dishes from around the world and participate in culinary workshops.

Free admission is offered for the public on October 11–12 while those wishing to attend the opening and closing ceremonies can register for complimentary tickets at the official website worldculturefestival.vn.

Mid-autumn festival glows in Hoi An ancient town

The programme “Hoi An Ancient Town Night” is expected to revive the lifestyle of Hoi An’s residents in earlier times under the glow of lanterns, bringing a tranquil experience to visitors.

 

Traditional toys dominate Mid-Autumn Festival market

Traditional handmade items now account for 70–80% of the market, including star-shaped lanterns, drums, masks, lion heads, rotating lanterns and fish- or rabbit-shaped hanging lanterns. Shoppers are showing a clear preference for handcrafted goods.

 

Mid-Autumn Festival – A celebration for children, a festival of reunion

More than just an occasion for children to play, enjoy festive treats, and parade with lanterns, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a beautiful expression of Vietnam’s traditional cultural values, preserved and passed down through generations.

 

State leader sends Mid-Autumn Festival wishes to children

The Party, State, and society always give special attention to children, ensuring the best conditions for them to study, play safely, and develop comprehensively, State President Luong Cuong wrote in his letter sent to children ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

 

Vietnamese community in Japan celebrates mid-autumn festival

President of the Vietnamese Association in the Kansai region Le Thuong said the festival was not only a joyful day for children but also an opportunity to strengthen solidarity within the Vietnamese community while preserving cultural identity and passing on its values to the younger generations.

 

HCM City River Festival wins double international gold at IBA 2025

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the festival was presented with a Gold Award in the “Art, Entertainment & Public – Festival” category, while its opening spectacle “The Legendary Ship” won a Gold Award in the “Cultural Event” category.