On October 11, 2025, the historic grounds of Hoàng thành Thăng Long in Hanoi came alive with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of the inaugural World Cultural Festival. This grand event was more than just a gathering—it was a lively, bustling showcase of global diversity, drawing visitors from near and far to experience a tapestry of cultures, all woven together in the heart of Vietnam’s capital.
According to Nhân Dân, the festival transformed the ancient citadel into a sprawling mosaic of 45 cultural spaces, each representing a different nation. From China, Korea, and Japan to the United States, Russia, France, Iran, Angola, Laos, and the Philippines, guests could wander through immersive exhibits, discovering the unique histories, arts, languages, costumes, and customs that define each country. The air buzzed with excitement as friends, families, and curious travelers mingled, eager to explore the world without ever leaving Hanoi.
One of the festival’s most popular attractions was the opportunity for visitors to don traditional costumes—not only from Vietnam, but also from the many countries represented at the event. Children and adults alike delighted in the chance to slip into áo dài, kimono, hanbok, and more, snapping photos and sharing laughs as they experienced a slice of another culture. "It’s like traveling the world in a single afternoon," one visitor remarked, summing up the spirit of the day.
But the festival was far from a static display. The grounds echoed with the rhythms of live performances, as 23 art troupes from both Vietnam and abroad took to the stage. Attendees were treated to a colorful array of dances and musical acts—graceful movements from Japanese and Thai performers, the vibrant energy of Angolan musicians, the delicate artistry of Laotian dancers, and even a lively showcase from the United Kingdom. Each act was a window into the soul of its culture, captivating audiences and sparking conversations long after the applause faded.
For the food lovers—and let’s be honest, who isn’t?—the festival’s 34 international food stalls were a veritable paradise. The mouthwatering aromas of spices, grilled meats, and fresh herbs wafted through the air, drawing crowds to sample delicacies from every corner of the globe. From Japanese sushi to French pastries, from Vietnamese street food to Angolan specialties, the culinary journey was as rich and varied as the cultures themselves. Workshops invited guests to roll up their sleeves and try their hand at preparing signature dishes, offering a hands-on lesson in the universal language of food.
While the World Cultural Festival brought the world to Hanoi for a day, another remarkable place in the city offers a year-round celebration of cultural diversity—one that is uniquely Vietnamese. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Đồng Mô, Đoài Phương commune, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism stands as a living testament to the country’s rich tapestry of 54 ethnic groups.
As reported by Hà Nội Mới, this expansive site, spanning over 1,500 hectares, is much more than a collection of buildings. It’s a "living cultural museum," where the daily lives, architecture, customs, festivals, and crafts of ethnic groups such as the Tày, Nùng, Dao, Ê Đê, Mông, Thái, Khmer, and Chăm are not just preserved, but actively practiced. The heart of the village is its ethnic hamlets, where traditional stilt houses, communal halls, pagodas, and even ancient crafts are lovingly maintained and shared with visitors.
Unlike many cultural attractions that simply display artifacts behind glass, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism is alive with activity. Every week and month, it hosts hundreds of events—traditional festivals like "Sắc xuân trên mọi miền Tổ quốc" (Spring Colors Across the Homeland), the Great National Unity Week, and folk celebrations such as the Tây Nguyên Gong Festival, the Katê Festival of the Chăm people, and the Bunpimay Water Festival of the Lao community. Guests can listen to Then singing of the Tày, join Thái folk dances, savor authentic ethnic cuisine, and even try their hand at weaving, brewing rice wine, or making bánh chưng and bánh giầy. Each experience is a window into the enduring spirit, creativity, and unity of Vietnam’s diverse peoples.
Ngô Thị Hồng Thắm, Director of the Village, explained, "Every experience helps visitors understand more deeply the spirit of solidarity, love for the homeland, and national pride." This ethos is at the core of the village’s mission—to foster understanding and appreciation among all Vietnamese, and to share this cultural wealth with the world.
Despite its many strengths—idyllic natural surroundings, a vast and varied cultural landscape, and proximity to Hanoi’s city center—the village has not yet reached its full potential as a tourist destination. Visitor numbers and tourism revenue remain lower than hoped, a challenge that has not gone unnoticed by experts and officials. As Lê Thanh Thảo, Chairman of the Hanoi Travel Association, pointed out, "The management needs to have open policies and cooperate with travel agencies to build new tours and increase tourism development efficiency and sustainability." The lack of strong partnerships with travel companies and the need for more innovative, engaging tour experiences have been cited as areas for improvement.
In response, the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Department, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, organized a famtrip on October 4, 2025, bringing together more than 60 representatives from travel companies to brainstorm new development strategies. Suggestions ranged from upgrading food and shopping facilities to enhancing overnight accommodations, all aimed at making the village more attractive to both domestic and international visitors.
Trịnh Ngọc Chung, Director of the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Department, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the village: "We will continue to accompany and support travel agencies in building creative tour programs, effectively tapping the potential of the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, and contributing to tourism development." Upcoming plans include the "Great Solidarity—Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Week" from November 18 to 23, as well as the opening of new attractions like the Hồ Trên Núi (Mountain Lake) and Chân Đồi Restaurant, all designed to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the village’s position on Vietnam’s cultural tourism map.
Back at the World Cultural Festival, as the sun dipped behind the ancient walls of Hoàng thành Thăng Long, the laughter, music, and aromas lingered—a reminder of how powerful, and joyful, cultural exchange can be. Whether through a single spectacular event or the ongoing work of places like the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, Hanoi continues to celebrate the beauty of diversity, inviting everyone to join in the discovery.
