Ha Noi

An exhibition introducing Japanese toys is being held at AEON Mall Long Bien in Hanoi.

The 2025 International Craft Village Conservation and Development Festival is not only a major socio-economic-cultural event, but also a bridge connecting the quintessence of the past with today’s aspirations, showcasing Hanoi’s creative stature on the global stage.

Artefacts dating back millennia – some over 4,000 years old, predating the Common Era – highlight the immense historical and cultural significance of the Vuon Chuoi archaeological site, underscoring the need for careful and systematic preservation.

The festival, themed “Heritage – Connection – Era”, seeks to showcase Vietnam’s cultural heritage to the world while highlighting Hanoi as a distinctive and creative heritage city.

An art programme has been held to mark the 20th anniversary of the cultural space of gongs in Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), which was recognised as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on November 25, 2005, aiming to honour the heritage, identity, and spirit of solidarity of Vietnamese ethnic groups.

This year’s festival is elaborately designed, combining tradition and modernity to offer a colourful cultural space and memorable experiences.

Visitors can learn about the centuries-old art of Vietnamese puppetry, take photos in a space rich with traditional aesthetics, and enjoy live performances. The witty character Teu (Uncle Teu) — a symbol of Vietnamese puppet art — along with buffaloes, fish, dragons, and phoenixes, dances upon the water’s surface, accompanied by children’s laughter and adults’ smiles, rekindling a “flame” of cultural pride at the fair.

The biennale includes 22 exhibitions and 28 sideline events such as talk shows, book launches, and film screenings. A series of art tours, photography workshops, and interactive experiences at 20 cultural venues across the capital will offer the public, especially young people, fresh perspectives on contemporary photography from Vietnam and abroad.

For the first time, the museum is opening its doors at night to offer visitors a fresh and engaging experience with a series of themed events.

The event reflects Hanoi’s vision and aspiration to become a regional and global centre of creativity, where traditional heritage harmoniously blends with modern life, forming the unique identity of a city that preserves and spreads Vietnamese cultural values.

From its opening days, the “Essence of Hanoi” zone at the first Autumn Fair 2025 in Hanoi has lured thousands of domestic and foreign visitors seeking to explore, experience, and shop.

The week will also feature a seminar on preserving and promoting the cultural values of ethnic minorities in association with tourism development, alongside a vibrant series of festival-themed cultural, artistic, and exchange activities. These include the Cham temple and tower cultural space from Khanh Hoa province, southern cultural exchange events, Central Highlands ethnic cultural performances, and northern ethnic minority exchanges, among many others.

The biennale will feature 22 solo and group exhibitions, accompanied by 29 side events including film screenings, seminars, thematic discussions, book launches, and art tours.

The October 10–12 festival, poised to be Vietnam’s flagship international cultural diplomacy event in 2025, will draw the largest-ever number of foreign entities in a display of global traditions through performances, exhibitions, and culinary experiences that transcend borders.

This is the largest cultural festival ever held in Vietnam, honouring the unity in diversity among the world’s cultures and reaffirming culture’s vital role as a sustainable bridge linking nations.

The only nomination for and also the winner of the Grand Prize will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 3.

According to the Ho Guom Opera House, the concert will not only showcase the lyrical and dramatic beauty of Italian classical music, but also contribute to cultural diplomacy, fostering future artistic exchange and collaboration between Vietnam and Italy.

The Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 not only brings joy and excitement, especially for children, but also helps preserve and promote cultural values, affirming the lasting vitality of traditional festivals in modern life.

Each event is a "touch" of memories as well as of love for Hanoi, helping to portray a capital that is both classic and youthful, deeply imbued with local identity while also open and integrated.

A highlight of this edition is the integration of digital technology and artificial intelligence. Through the AI Transformation Movement, participants can turn a single photo into a personalised video, creating a unique and highly shareable social media experience.