Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026: Discover the old soul of Hanoi in contemporary arts

The 2026 Hanoi Festival of Creative Design officially kicked off in the capital on Friday evening, launching a 16-day programme under the theme 'Thang Long Ke Nghe: Creative Economy.'

The festival's opening ceremony featured an artistic performance celebrating traditional craftsmanship and creativity, which captivated audiences from Vietnam and abroad.

From ancient Thang Long to new era of creative expression 

Directed and musically led by Nguyen Quoc Hoang Anh, the artistic programme Thang Long Ke Nghe drew inspiration from a contemporary water pavilion stage beside Hoan Kiem Lake, bringing together 110 Vietnamese and international artists.

Using water as its central theme, the eight performances blended traditional Vietnamese art forms, including cheo (traditional opera), tuong (classical drama), ca tru, xam and quan ho folk singing, alongside traditional instruments, opera, beatboxing, hip-hop, contemporary dance and electronic music. 

The fusion offered a fresh interpretation of Vietnamese performing arts while preserving their traditional roots.

The opening ceremony also marked the launch of 'Hanoi Lights Up', a programme bringing art and cultural heritage closer to the public through performances at theatres, historic cinemas, museums, markets and public spaces across the city.

Over 16 days, the festival will transform five areas into creative exploration spaces: Dong Xuan Market; communal houses and heritage sites in the Old Quarter; theatres, historic cinemas and performance venues; the eastern square of Hoan Kiem Lake; and Thong Nhat Park.

Running through November 28, the festival features more than 150 activities and brings together nearly 1,000 artisans, artists, designers and experts from Vietnam and abroad. 

Participants include nearly 100 international artists and overseas Vietnamese from 21 countries. 

Hanoi seeks to strengthen its position as a creative hub

Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, said the Hanoi Creative Design Festival had evolved from an initiative celebrating the city's creative talents into a dynamic platform connecting artists, designers, artisans, businesses and communities.

By bringing traditional crafts into dialogue with contemporary art, architecture and design, this year's festival offers new perspectives on how generations of artisans' knowledge and craftsmanship can inspire fresh creative expressions, products and opportunities.

With nearly 100 activities and the participation of almost 1,000 local and international artisans and artists, the festival reflects the collective energy and ambition continuing to shape Hanoi's creative landscape.

Jonathan Wallace Baker added that initiatives showcased at the festival demonstrate that creativity is not confined to galleries or cultural institutions, but is also embedded in the everyday life of the city. 

It can bring people together, strengthen a sense of community and create new opportunities for sustainable urban development.

Blending heritage with modern creativity