Second Cultures of the World Festival's vibrant opening ceremony in Hanoi

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Holding profound significance, the second Cultures of the World Festival coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's UNESCO membership, affirming the millennial capital’s role as a cultural bridge and its aspiration for peace.

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This year's festival gathers 50 countries and international organizations, creating a vibrant, multi-dimensional space for cultural dialogue.

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The event features a broad array of activities, including 45 cultural spaces, 35 culinary stalls, film screenings involving 18 countries, traditional fashion shows from 15 nations, and premier artistic performances from 20 international troupes.

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In her opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra expressed her belief that, with the participation of countries, international organizations, artists, artisans, researchers, and the community, the festival will leave deep impressions and memorable experiences; spread the core values, vitality, and strength of Vietnamese culture; and bring Vietnamese culture closer to the world, and the world closer to Vietnam..

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Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre, expresses that a festival like this delivers what pure policy dialogues cannot: an opportunity to directly experience another culture through music, storytelling, craftsmanship, and how that culture manifests in everyday life.

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Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a special art programme themed “Convergence of Heritage - Shaping the Future” takes audiences on a soaring emotional journey.

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The opening stage blends the depth of heritage with contemporary artistic language.

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The opening programme begins with the picture “Multicolor Vietnam”, fully recreating cultural identity through Hue royal court music, folk songs from the three regions, Bac Ninh Quan ho melodies, and the heroic tunes of the southern land.

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Following that space is the chapter “Convergence of the Five Continents”, where art troupes from China, Russia, the Republic of Korea, Laos, and various other countries raise a shared voice of friendship and respect for cultural diversity.

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Closing the opening night is an energetic, youthful atmosphere with the programme “Development & Vibrant Future”, where traditional and modern artistic materials creatively blend.

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Traditional musical elements blend with Rap, Hip-hop, and EDM through performances by beloved artists.

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A variety of Vietnamese and global art forms and heritage on the opening night stage make the "artistic feast" even more vibrant and colorful.

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Vietnamese art troupes, such as the Hue Royal Traditional Art Theatre, the Central Highlands Gong Artisan Troupe, Green Sound Group, and GomShow..

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International art troupes bring colors from across the five continents to the capital's stage.

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The second Cultures of the World Festival runs until October 4, 2026, promising to remain an appealing cultural rendezvous that draws a large number of local residents and international visitors for sightseeing and experiences.

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This is also an opportunity for the public and international friends to fully experience the convergence of global cultural essence right in the heart of Hanoi.