The international traditional costume show "Heritage Footsteps" will be the highlight of the World Culture Festival in Hanoi - Vietnam’s premier cultural diplomacy event of 2025 - featuring the rich heritage of 48 countries in a vibrant blend of color and artistry.

The first-ever World Culture Festival in Hanoi will take place from October 10 to 12 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Center, marking a significant milestone in Vietnam’s global cultural engagement.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Hanoi People’s Committee, the festival aims to promote the world's cultural richness - from traditional performances and folk music to fashion, cinema, visual arts, and cuisine.

According to the Ministry of Culture, this year’s festival sets a record for diplomatic participation, with representatives from 48 embassies, international organizations, and foreign cultural centers in Vietnam.

More than a cultural display, the festival seeks to foster international connection, promote people-to-people exchanges, and deepen mutual understanding between Vietnam and the world. It also underscores the vital role of culture in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

Under the theme “Culture as Foundation – Art as a Bridge”, the festival will be a flagship event in Vietnam’s 2025 cultural diplomacy calendar, with ambitions to become an annual international celebration.

Spanning three days, the festival features a dynamic program of interactive experiences and live performances, including:

45 national cultural spaces
34 international food booths
23 art troupes from both Vietnam and abroad
12 publishers showcasing books and publications
22 organizations participating in the international film screening program

A standout event is the costume show “Heritage Footsteps” on the night of October 11, which will feature nearly 100 traditional costumes, each telling a story of its nation’s history, culture, and spirit. This promises to be Vietnam’s most impressive international costume display to date.

The show is more than a fashion event - it is a cultural journey, where each outfit becomes a narrative thread, celebrating the identity and heritage of its people.

From October 11–12, the “Cultural Road” exhibit will invite visitors to explore booths from countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia, France, Iran, Angola, Laos, the Philippines, and more. Attendees can delve into the unique history, art, language, customs, and traditional dress of each nation - and even try on traditional costumes from Vietnam and other cultures.

Also on October 11–12, an international film screening will run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel’s conference hall, featuring outstanding cinematic works from Vietnam and the world.

At the round stage, traditional and international performing arts shows will run daily in the following time slots:
9:00–11:30 AM, 2:30–5:30 PM, and 9:00–9:30 PM. Performances will include Vietnamese cultural highlights such as Tay Nguyen gong ensembles, Bac Ninh quan ho, cheo, chau van, and folk dance.

In the international food street, guests can explore global cuisines and join culinary workshops to learn how to make traditional dishes from various cultures.

The World Culture Festival in Hanoi is free to the public on October 11–12.

Opening ceremony: 8:00–9:30 PM, October 10
Closing ceremony: 8:00–9:30 PM, October 12

Binh Minh