The inaugural Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2025 stands as a grand cultural and artistic celebration, offering a dynamic platform where traditional artisans, contemporary artists, and emerging creators converge to rejuvenate and enrich Vietnam’s cultural identity in the age of global integration. This vision was eloquently articulated by Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, during her opening address.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, alongside representatives from various organizations, officially inaugurated the festival with a symbolic button press, marking the commencement of this cultural extravaganza.
Guided by the inspiring theme “Heritage, Connection, and Time,” this year’s festival is dedicated to showcasing Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage to an international audience, while solidifying Hanoi’s reputation as a “heritage city” celebrated for its unique identity and creative spirit.
This theme further encapsulates the ambition to cultivate a distinct and innovative cultural brand for Hanoi, rooted in the nation’s core cultural values, fostering a legacy that resonates both locally and globally.
Drawing upon its thousand-year legacy, Hanoi continues to embody the aspiration of developing a unique cultural brand, where heritage serves as a wellspring of strength and a catalyst for sustainable development in the era of global integration.
In this modern era, heritage acts as a vital bridge connecting the past with the future, shaping national identity and serving as a cornerstone for socio-economic growth through tourism and creative industries.
The opening ceremony of the Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2025 was a breathtaking artistic spectacle, seamlessly embodying the festival’s theme, “Heritage – Connection – Time,” and leaving an indelible mark on all who attended.
To vividly and comprehensively portray Vietnam’s heritage, the opening ceremony featured a massive ensemble of nearly 1,000 professional performers from esteemed institutions such as the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, the Hanoi Chèo Theatre, and notably, Hanoi’s skilled folk artisans.
The festival honored the authentic cultural identity of local artisans, who played a pivotal role in showcasing the original character of the heritage and artistic elements, ensuring a genuine and enriching experience for all attendees.
The festival’s program drew inspiration from historical elements and the origins of Thang Long – Hanoi’s heritage, featuring performances such as Xẩm singing, traditional Trống Quân drumming, Áo dài fashion shows, Múa con đĩ đánh bồng dance, traditional wrestling, and a reenactment of the intangible heritage of seated tug-of-war, among other captivating acts.
The festival also showcased performances of traditional art forms like Chèo, Xẩm, and Ca Trù, presented in a contemporary folk style, alongside acts from other regions, including Hát Văn Huế and Múa Chén (Bowl Dance), offering a diverse cultural experience.
Each performance was meticulously staged to preserve the essence of the heritage, offering audiences an experience that was both authentic and profoundly moving, leaving a lasting impression of Vietnam’s cultural richness.
The Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2025 serves not only as a cultural celebration and a platform for international exchange but also as a unique opportunity to connect Vietnam’s cultural heritage with other regions, including Hue, Ninh Binh, and beyond, fostering a broader cultural dialogue.
The organizers, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, aspire for the festival to evolve beyond a singular event into a strategic annual series of activities, contributing to the establishment of a “new creative cycle” for Hanoi’s dynamic cultural landscape.
Following the festival’s conclusion, performance, exhibition, and heritage presentation activities will continue on a regular basis, creating an open cultural space where both visitors and residents can immerse themselves in heritage as part of their daily lives, ensuring a lasting cultural impact.
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