Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony to announce the framework of activities for the 2026 Hanoi Creative Design Festival and launch the expanded Hanoi Creative Space Network was held on December 10 by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with Architecture Magazine, with support from UNESCO and Sovico Group.
Under the announced framework, the 2026 festival will take place from January to November and feature eight groups of activities, ranging from exhibitions, fairs and forums to creative projects, design awards and the development of creative infrastructure. Five thematic creative spaces will be formed across the city, including heritage, craft and Old Quarter spaces, as well as ecological, community and future-oriented spaces linked to public parks and the Red River’s alluvial area.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Vu Thu Ha said the festival, themed “creative economy”, aims to strengthen links among businesses, craft villages, artisans, designers, universities and experts, thereby building a dynamic and sustainable creative ecosystem. She noted that creative activities will extend beyond design products to include urban planning, public space design, community initiatives and ideas to address challenges such as pollution, flooding and traffic congestion.
UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker affirmed that developing a creative ecosystem will generate sustainable opportunities for artists, students, businesses and communities, and expressed UNESCO’s strong support for Hanoi’s long-term creative vision.
Architect Hoang Thuc Hao, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Architects, underscored the role of architects, designers and artists in shaping cultural spaces that nurture ideas and contribute practical solutions for the city.
Since its launch in 2021, the festival has become a platform that connects heritage, art and technology, contributing to the capital’s cultural identity and the development of the creative economy. At the ceremony, the city also recognised 82 cultural and creative spaces as new members of the Hanoi Creative Space Network./.
