At the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center, the World Culture Festival in Hanoi is taking place vibrantly, opening a journey to explore global heritage right in the heart of the capital city Hanoi.

This is not only a large-scale international cultural and tourism event, but also Vietnam’s respectful greeting to friends from five continents in the spirit of peace, openness, and honoring human cultural values.

A colorful cultural picture within the heritage site

With the theme “Culture as the foundation, art as the medium,” the festival gathers 48 countries, 45 cultural spaces, 34 international food stalls, and 23 art troupes – numbers sufficient to show the scale and influence of a world-class festival. During the two free admission weekend days, crowds pouring into Thang Long Imperial Citadel created a brilliant picture of cultural exchange.

The focal point of the festival space is the “Cultural Road,” where each exhibition booth is likened to a “window to the world,” opening opportunities for visitors to explore different civilizations. From the vibrant costumes of South America, the gentle dances of Thailand, to the sophistication of Bat Trang ceramic art, all blend together to create a borderless emotional journey.

The tea appreciation area recreates the traditional cultural features of Vietnamese people, attracting many visitors to experience.

A young visitor from Hanoi shared: “We get to experience many different cultures. Besides the familiar aspects of Asia, I also get to explore European and Middle Eastern cultures, which is very interesting. I feel like I’m traveling around the world without leaving Hanoi.”

The tea appreciation area recreates the traditional cultural features of Vietnamese people, attracting many visitors to experience.

Alongside the exhibition booths, continuous performances of traditional and contemporary arts at the central circular stage made the festival atmosphere lively and captivating. Representing Vietnam, the Hanoi Cheo Theater brought rustic, charming folk melodies. A Vietnamese artist expressed: “We want to convey to international friends the graceful culture of Vietnamese people through the four-flap tunic and rustic cheo performances, showing the image of a peaceful country that is reaching new heights in development.”

The area introducing papaya flower carving art recreates the sophistication in Vietnamese cuisine and culture.

From the international side, a member of the Russian art troupe said: “We perform traditional dances and songs, telling about the Volga River, the lands and lakes, symbols of Russia. It’s wonderful to see Vietnamese audiences warmly receive and join in the melodies of our homeland.”

Those moments, though coming from different continents, meet at a common point: the language of art is the language of the heart.

Not limited to sight and sound, over 100 delicious dishes from around the world took visitors on a journey of taste and memory. From the spicy curry of India, refined sushi of Japan, to the traditional Amok fish of Cambodia, each flavor tells a cultural story.

Visitors personally select and enjoy many traditional dishes in the Hanoi culinary space.
Visitors personally select and enjoy many traditional dishes in the Hanoi culinary space.

A representative of the Cambodia stall expressed: “We bring traditional dishes with fish and chicken flavors, representing the harmony between land and water, the spirit of

Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center in Hanoi, Vietnam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remains of a political and military center dating back over a thousand years to the Ly Dynasty. It served as the capital of Vietnam for 13 consecutive centuries, with archaeological excavations revealing ancient palaces, relics, and artifacts. The site symbolizes Vietnamese sovereignty and showcases the historical and cultural layers of the nation’s development.

World Culture Festival

The World Culture Festival is a large-scale international event organized by the spiritual organization The Art of Living, first held in 2006. It aims to promote global peace and harmony by bringing together people from diverse cultures through music, dance, and meditative performances. The festivals are typically held every few years in major cities around the world, featuring massive artistic presentations and yoga sessions with thousands of participants.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hanoi, Vietnam. It served as the political center of the country for 13 centuries, dating back to the 7th century under the Chinese, before becoming the capital of the independent Dai Viet nation in the 11th century under the Ly Dynasty. The central sector of the citadel, excavated in the early 21st century, contains the remains of royal palaces and ancient structures that reflect a unique Southeast Asian culture.

Hanoi Cheo Theater

The Hanoi Cheo Theater is a prominent venue dedicated to preserving and performing Chèo, a traditional form of Vietnamese folk opera. Established to revive and promote this centuries-old art form, which often features satirical stories from rural life, the theater provides a vital space for both classic and contemporary Chèo performances. It plays a crucial role in introducing this important aspect of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage to domestic and international audiences.

Bat Trang ceramic art

Bat Trang is a renowned traditional ceramic and pottery village located near Hanoi, Vietnam, with a history spanning over seven centuries since the 14th century. It originated when craftsmen from the northern delta’s ceramic hubs migrated and established kilns here, leveraging the area’s rich white clay deposits. Today, it is celebrated for its high-quality, handcrafted ceramics, including bowls, vases, and decorative items, which are known for their distinctive blue-and-white glazes and artistic designs.

Volga River

The Volga River is Europe’s longest river, flowing through central Russia and into the Caspian Sea. Historically, it has been a vital trade and transportation route, often called the “national river” of Russia, and its basin was the core of the medieval state of Kievan Rus’.

Amok fish

“Amok fish” is not a place or cultural site, but a traditional and iconic dish from Cambodia. It is a fragrant, steamed fish curry made with a spice paste called *kroeung*, coconut milk, and eggs, traditionally steamed in a banana leaf cup. The dish is a staple of Khmer cuisine and is often served during important festivals and celebrations.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation most famous for the magnificent temple complex of Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This site was the heart of the powerful Khmer Empire, which dominated the region from the 9th to the 15th centuries. In the 20th century, the country endured the devastating Khmer Rouge regime, but its rich cultural heritage and the grandeur of Angkor remain powerful symbols of national identity.