Experiencing world cultures
More than 35 food stalls introduced visitors to traditional specialties from different countries, including Japanese sushi, Russian salad, Mexican tacos, and French pastries. Prepared on site, the dishes offered visitors an opportunity not only to sample international cuisine but also to discover the cultural stories behind it.
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An art performance at the opening ceremony of the second Cultures of the World Festival in Ha Noi 2026. |
At the round stage of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a music program featuring traditional performances and instruments from different countries created an open artistic space where artists and audiences could meet and share emotions.
Dao Nha Uyen, a student of Ha Noi University of Culture, said the festival offered young people an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Viet Nam’s culture while discovering the cultural identities of other countries. Through music, films, images, and traditional customs, she felt a greater sense of closeness and harmony among peoples. The festival, she added, was not only entertaining but also encouraged creativity and studying.
Expanded in both scale and content compared with the previous edition, this year’s festival offered a diverse cultural experience, serving as a bridge to foster friendship, mutual understanding, and trust among peoples. The opening ceremony featured representatives from 50 countries and international organizations, creating an impressive display of cultural diversity in Ha Noi.
Music, artistic performances, fireworks, and enthusiastic applause added to the vibrant atmosphere, highlighting the spirit of cooperation, peace, and friendship.
Building bridges through culture
Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, said that the second Cultures of the World Festival in Ha Noi 2026 was an expression of UNESCO’s deepest belief, rooted in its fundamental mission of building peace in the minds of every individual. He noted that cultural diversity was a source of inspiration for creativity, dialogue, and mutual understanding - values that the world urgently needs, particularly amidst the current complex global context. The festival had provided something that purely policy-oriented dialogue could hardly achieve: an opportunity to directly experience another culture through various forms of art and to explore how that culture is reflected in everyday life.
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Visitors experience Russian cuisine at the festival. |
The festival was expected to create lasting memories while strengthening understanding of shared human values. Speaking on behalf of Party and State leaders, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra expressed her hope that the event would spread sustainable values and convey three key messages: converging for understanding and connecting for development; cherishing, preserving, and innovating to enrich national and global heritage; and creating an international cultural space that brings the world to Viet Nam and Viet Nam to the world.
The festival thus served as a vivid bridge connecting cultures, promoting friendship and mutual understanding, and contributing to a world of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
The second Cultures of the World Festival in Ha Noi 2026 took place from October 1 to 4 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ha Noi municipal People’s Committee to mark the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam's UNESCO membership (1976-2026). The festival brought together the cultures of 50 countries and international organizations at the historic citadel.
Translated by Minh Anh