Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu said this year's festival takes place as the capital and the country celebrate major historic milestones including the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, the 71st anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day, and the successful 18th Congress of the Hanoi Party Committee.
Delegates at the event.
With the theme "Hanoi Autumn – The Season of Memory", the festival invites visitors to discover the beauty of Hanoi through gentle and nostalgic expressions of autumn where memory, culture and modern life come together. With 150 booths, the event brings together localities, businesses, tourist sites, craft villages, artisans and artists, creating a vibrant cultural and tourism space.
The exhibition areas are designed under different themes to showcase signature elements of Hanoi's autumn through tourism products, autumn tours, creative displays and cultural narratives.
Besides the opening performance "Hanoi Autumn Melody" held at 7:30 p.m. on November 21, the festival features a wide range of activities.
Visitors can explore themed zones such as "Colors of Autumn" with artistic miniatures and check-in spaces recreating Hanoi's signature red and yellow hues. The "Hanoi Destinations" zone introduces major tourist sites, craft villages and heritage locations.
The "Old Quarter Journeys" zone brings airlines, travel agencies and hotels together to showcase autumn promotional programs. The "Taste of Memory" food space highlights culinary traditions from three regions and dishes associated with Hanoi's autumn. The "Hanoi – Youthful Rhythm" area features street performances, craft workshops, sketching, interactive music and a playground for children.
The festival also includes the photo exhibition "Hanoi – Autumn Through the Lens", displaying images that capture the essence of Hanoi's autumn.
The organizers noted that a highlight of the festival is the large-scale art parade at 8:30 a.m. on November 23 along Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street.
The program showcases unique cultural heritages such as Thanh Oai lion dance, Te Tieu water puppet theater, Dan Phuong cheo tau performances and youthful dance shows by students and children. The blend of tradition and modernity aims to create a vibrant and inspiring festival atmosphere that reflects the soul of the capital.
Art performance at the event.
The festival also offers community-oriented activities such as the children's creative space "Autumn Through My Eyes", the online photo contest "Autumn Moments of Hanoi", the experiential tour "Hanoi and Its Five Gates", and the "Touching Hanoi's Autumn" event series by Vietnam Airlines. The "I, Hanoi" photo tour takes visitors to eight notable destinations including Ba Vi, Soc Son, Huong Son, Duong Lam, Bat Trang and West Lake. These activities help spread the spirit of autumn and bring the festival closer to residents and visitors.
The closing ceremony will take place on the evening of November 23 with a special art program and acknowledgements to partners and contributors. More than a tourism event, the 3rd Hanoi Autumn Festival offers residents and visitors the chance to revisit the most beautiful memories of Hanoi's autumn.
"Hanoi Autumn – The Season of Memory" not only rekindles old memories but also creates new ones that are pure, meaningful and cherished by the people of the capital and visitors from across Vietnam and around the world.