The event, organised by the Hanoi Yoga Federation, welcomed participants from yoga practicing clubs across Hanoi and other provinces. It also welcomed the presence of representatives from the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, along with officials from a number of ministries and authorities of Hanoi.

This year’s festival, themed “Yoga for Peace and Community Health,” was a key activity in response to International Yoga Day (June 21). The programme featured a wide range of activities, including a large-scale mass yoga performance, artistic yoga showcases, instructor–student exchanges, and public sessions promoting healthy practices.

One of the festival’s highlights was a formation of the map of Vietnam by more than 1,000 yoga practitioners, symbolising unity, discipline, and peace.

“This festival is an opportunity to express love for the country, peace, and to spread compassion among people through yoga,” said Le Duc Chuong, president of the Hanoi Yoga Federation, at the event.  

Many first-time participants expressed deep emotions as they joined the collective practice in the open-air setting.

“As someone who has practiced yoga for a long time, I felt so happy and excited to be part of today’s event. It’s also a great chance for Hanoi’s yoga community to connect more closely,” said Trinh Mai Phuong, a yoga student from Hanoi.

International Yoga Day is a global celebration dedicated to the ancient practice of yoga that promotes its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. The initiative was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014, following a proposal by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first International Yoga Day was observed on June 21, 2015.

Modern yoga was introduced to Vietnam decades ago, with the number of practitioners increasing considerably year by year. According to the Vietnam Yoga Federation, there are now over 4,300 yoga clubs with more than 550,000 regular members, and millions of casual practitioners.

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