Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam, attend the opening ceremony.

Also present were Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam; leaders of several central ministries and agencies; Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam; Mr. Saadi Salama, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Vietnam; members of the diplomatic community; artists; and cultural ambassadors from around the world.

The festival, held under the theme "Connection – Sharing – Spreading Love," brings together international friends, artists, social organizations, enterprises, and Vietnamese people to support communities severely affected by natural disasters, taking place from October 10 to 12. The event also demonstrates global solidarity in addressing common challenges, especially climate change.

The festival space was filled with vibrant colors and lively activities. Visitors enjoyed traditional dances, cultural performances, international cuisine, and Vietnamese art programs carrying the message "One World, One Heartbeat of Love."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits the national cultural exhibition spaces of participating countries.

The opening night featured the art show "Colors of Vietnam – Rhythms of the World," which highlighted iconic elements of Vietnamese heritage, including Quan ho Bac Ninh folk songs, Hue royal court music, Central Highlands gong culture, Southern amateur music, Hat van, and Xam Thang Long.

Art troupes from various countries also took part, creating a vivid and diverse celebration of world culture. The evening concluded with a performance of "We Are The World," spreading messages of friendship, unity, and peace.

Prime Minister Chinh and other delegates participated in a special opening ritual, painting a multicolored ceramic artwork, before visiting national cultural spaces representing different countries.

Culture – A source of inner strength and global solidarity

In his remarks, Prime Minister Chinh conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Party General Secretary To Lam and other Party and State leaders to the participants. He emphasized that culture is the "red thread" that connects people, nations, and the world—and that culture knows no boundaries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers the opening remarks at the event.

The Prime Minister described the first World Culture Festival in Hanoi as a meaningful event linking the Vietnamese people with cultures worldwide. He expressed gratitude to all delegates and organizers for their efforts in making the festival possible, acknowledging that while "every beginning is difficult," the event has successfully brought cultural joy and mutual understanding between Vietnam and the world.

Noting that Vietnam has recently endured a series of storms and floods, eight in the third quarter alone, including four in September, the Prime Minister extended heartfelt sympathy to families and communities suffering losses. He called for joint efforts and contributions from both domestic and international partners to support those affected by natural disasters.

Madame Ngo Phuong Ly performs the special opening ritual.

Prime Minister Chinh recalled the words of President Ho Chi Minh, a great national hero and UNESCO-recognized world cultural figure, who said, "Culture lights the way for the nation." The Communist Party of Vietnam has always viewed culture as a source of inner strength—scientific, national, and popular in nature.

He emphasized that Vietnam is working to further promote this cultural vision so that culture truly becomes a foundation of internal strength, connecting people and economies alike. The goal is to develop the cultural and creative industries, share the richness of Vietnamese culture with the world, and embrace the essence of global civilization within Vietnam.

If achieved, this will allow the Vietnamese people to enjoy more of both national culture and world civilization. The Prime Minister expressed hope that ministries, agencies, localities, and especially international partners will continue to support the annual World Culture Festival in Vietnam.

He expressed sincere gratitude to Madame Ly for her meaningful idea of organizing the World Culture Festival, as well as to ministries, sectors, and foreign representative offices in Vietnam for their contributions to the event.

The Prime Minister also commended the program for deeply reflecting Vietnamese cultural identity, particularly the culture of compassion, solidarity, and mutual support, and for sending meaningful messages of empathy to those affected by climate change, storms, and floods.

"We will continue to promote the role of culture as both an internal strength and a bridge of international solidarity. Together, we must share and support one another in facing natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. These global challenges require unity, multilateralism, and mutual assistance—values strongly reinforced through cultural connection," he stated.

Hanoi – A bridge between cultures

Sharing similar views with the Prime Minister, Mr. Baker, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, highlighted that Hanoi has long been a bridge between cultures—a city where tradition and creativity intertwine.

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker delivers his speech at the event.

He said UNESCO is honored to join the opening ceremony of the first World Culture Festival in Hanoi on October 10, held in the thousand-year-old capital at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that continues to embody the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

Congratulating the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Hanoi People's Committee for realizing this inspiring initiative, he also expressed UNESCO's solidarity and sympathy with regions affected by recent natural disasters.

Art performance at the festival.

"We extend our condolences to families who have lost homes and loved ones. In difficult times, culture reminds us of our roots of resilience, compassion, and the power to rebuild together," he said.

Mr. Baker added that the festival exemplifies how culture not only celebrates beauty and creativity but also inspires compassion, recovery, and unity, proving that cultural differences do not divide us, but truly connect us.

Recalling UNESCO's collaborative activities within the festival under the message "Creativity and Humanity Walk Hand in Hand," he affirmed that every effort reflects a shared commitment to placing culture at the heart of sustainable development, empowering communities, and fostering creativity as a driver of inclusion and resilience.

"Let this festival be remembered, not only for its colors and performances, but for its message: When culture connects, humanity unites. Together, let us build a future where culture inspires solidarity and resilience, in Hanoi and across the world," Baker concluded.