THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s ambitious 2025–2030 development plan, guided by the forthcoming 18th Party Congress (October 15-17), is dedicated to safeguarding the city’s millennia-old heritage while embedding culture as the cornerstone of its progress.
As the 2020–2025 term concludes, its legacy is unmistakable. Amidst soaring skyscrapers and vibrant creative hubs, Hanoi’s essence endures—in its homes, street corners, festivals, and daily rhythms.
Culture: The Soul of Urban Identity
Children captivated by Mid-Autumn toy artisans at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Lai Tan/The Hanoi Times
When the Mid-Autumn moon casts its glow over Hang Ngang, Hang Gai, and Hang Buom, memories stir—festive trays, lantern-lit streets, and drumbeats echoing through Hoan Kiem’s pedestrian zones.
This term has seen Hanoi boldly anchor its cultural spirit amidst modernization. City leaders now recognize culture not as a secondary concern but as a vital development pillar. Over VND5 trillion (US$200 million) has been allocated to culture and sports, with VND1.7 trillion ($68 million) dedicated to restoring relics, building cultural venues, and nurturing the arts.
Nearly 200 heritage sites have been revitalized, bringing the total to nearly 6,000, including 21 national treasures and the UNESCO-recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Cultural preservation now shapes urban planning—infrastructure projects honor heritage, old streets, and green spaces linking historic landmarks.
Pedestrian zones, cultural parks, and immersive heritage spaces are integrated from inception. Urban renewal prioritizes preservation over demolition. Hanoi leads in blending technology with tradition: digital mapping, VR, AR, and MR at sites like the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison offer dynamic historical experiences. Multilingual apps make Hanoi’s culture globally accessible.
Since becoming a UNESCO Creative City in 2019, Hanoi has fostered creative districts like Phuc Tan and Long Bien Station, hosting over 3,000 cultural events—from Design Week to the International Film Festival—cementing its status as a creative nexus.
Traditional performance at the Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center, 50 Dao Duy Tu Street. Photo: Le Nam/The Hanoi Times
Cultivating Civility and Grace
True urban culture thrives in citizens’ conduct. Program 06 (2021) emphasizes civility, creativity, and youth education, guided by Codes of Conduct for public spaces and officials. After four years, Deputy Secretary Nguyen Van Phong highlights tangible cultural gains enhancing Hanoi’s brand and spiritual life.
Challenges persist: uneven cultural leadership, resource gaps in suburbs, and youth influenced by global trends. Experts urge cultural impact assessments for all projects, integrating culture with technology and community engagement.
Traditional art in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times
Hanoi must train cultural leaders, support grassroots creativity, and digitize heritage. Public spaces and online platforms should amplify daily cultural engagement, ensuring Hanoi remains a city with soul—modern yet rooted in tradition.
By embedding culture in every decision, Hanoi charts a sustainable path where progress and heritage intertwine, preserving its unique identity for generations.
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