After more than two weeks of activities, the Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2025 officially concluded on November 16 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square.

The event was recognized as an important cultural and artistic festival, linking heritage with contemporary creativity and promoting the image of the thousand-year-old capital while affirming Hanoi's status as a UNESCO Creative City.

Central-level attendees included Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Hai Binh and Standing Member of the National Assembly's Culture and Education Committee Bui Hoai Son.

Hanoi leaders present included Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council Tran The Cuong, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha and Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong.

Artists, residents and domestic and international visitors joined the closing ceremony.

Heritage as a foundation for sustainable development

With the theme "Heritage – Connection – Era", the festival attracted nearly 200,000 participants and almost one million online interactions. Its success demonstrated that heritage is a sustainable development resource for the capital.

The festival was organized for the first time under the leadership of the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi, with plans to become an annual event.

It served as a major international exchange platform, drawing central and local leaders, ambassadors and representatives of international organizations.

Key international activities included an international seminar and cultural exchange marking the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's inscription of the tug-of-war tradition and the art program "Eternal Moments" at the Hanoi Museum featuring Swiss composer Dominique Barthassat.

The "Heritage Convergence" program at the Temple of Literature connected the traditions of three ancient capitals – Thang Long, Hue and Hoa Lu – alongside representatives from the Central Highlands.

The festival brought cultural heritage closer to the public by blending tradition with modernity, supporting sustainable cultural-industry development. Its strategic goal is to create distinctive cultural-industry products from festival programs.

Notable creative activities included the fashion show "Hundred Flowers Along the Heritage Path", the seminar "Heritage in Creativity" and hands-on craft workshops.

Each citizen as a "creative agent"

The festival's success stemmed from encouraging each Hanoian to become a "creative agent".

It became a creative playground showcasing 15 traditional performances from Hanoi's wards and communes, including Bai Bong Dance, Bong Dance, Thuy Linh Wrestling and traditional puppetry.

The festival successfully connected thousand-year heritage with modern life, opening a new creative era for the capital.

It demonstrated the spirit of innovation grounded in tradition and laid the foundation for an annual, internationally recognized cultural event.

Organizers announced that the 2026 festival will feature the theme "Hanoi Essence – Global Connection".

It will express the city's ambition to become a convergence point for Vietnamese and global heritage, aiming toward international heritage-city status.

Hanoi hopes heritage will not only be displayed but also engaged in equal dialogue, shared across cultures and enriched through vibrant art exchanges.

The city aims to expand creative spaces, reach international audiences and foster global cultural integration.

The city invited artists, creative organizations, cultural enterprises and sponsors to join in building a world-class Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2026, where heritage and creativity shine together.

At the closing ceremony, audiences enjoyed performances by artists Van Ty, Minh Thu, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Nguyen Thu Hang, An Thu An and Ram C, delivering an emotional finale to a meaningful, large-scale festival that promises to become a signature autumn event in Hanoi.