HÀ NỘI — The second Thăng Long-Hà Nội Festival will honour the enduring values of the thousand-year-old cultural capital, affirming Hà Nội’s role as a place where national identity converges and crystallises, while also spreading a spirit of creativity in the new era.

The Hà Nội People's Committee has issued a plan to organise the Festival Thăng Long-Hà Nội 2026 with a theme of Dòng Chảy Di Sản (Heritage Flow), one of the largest cultural events of the year.

Running from September 11-20, the event is envisioned to become a signature cultural brand for Hà Nội, contributing to the realisation of cultural development goals in line with key resolutions of the Central Government and the city in the new era.

Its first task is to highlight and widely promote the distinctive values ​​of Thăng Long-Hà Nội's cultural heritage, from architectural works and historical relics to unique intangible cultural forms to both local people and international friends.

The event is expected to create a diverse cultural exchange space, where localities, Vietnamese and international organisations and artists have the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate. It also serves as an important foundation for promoting the creation of new cultural products, contributing to the development of the capital's cultural industry ecosystem.

The second task is to stimulate the tourism industry and promote socio-economic development of Hà Nội. The creation of cultural and artistic products bearing the Hà Nội brand will position the city as a destination of 'Culture - Identity - Creativity - Integration' on the international map.

The festival will focus on the continuity and development of Thăng Long-Hà Nội's culture through different periods. Activities will be designed to harmoniously combine tradition and modernity, national identity and the finest aspects of world culture, creating a vibrant and attractive cultural space.

In its 10 days there are many activities organised at typical cultural and heritage sites of the capital such as Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square and Văn Miếu-Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature).

A special music and dance show will open the festival on the evening of September 11. It is considered a key highlight, combining traditional art and modern performance technology, recreating the historical and cultural flow of Thăng Long-Hà Nội.

It will be followed with a vibrant and youthful music and art programme on September 12 which target a wide audience, especially young people. On September 13, the 'Art Exchange' programme will bring together art local and international troupes to make up a colorful space for cultural interaction.

A notable event will be a Sắc Màu Hà Nội (The Colour of Hà Nội) fashion show on September 18 at the Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square. It is a combination of fashion and culture, presenting collections inspired by the heritage and life of the capital city, celebrating the beauty of Hà Nội in the modern era.

The Âm Thanh Gốm (Sound from Ceramics) in Bát Tràng Ceramic Village on September 19 promises to deliver a unique experience. Artists will create performances combining sound and light through traditional ceramic materials, bringing the heritage of the craft village to life.

Along with the main activities, there will have many sidelined programmes held to enrich people's experience and experiment in culture.

 

There are exhibitions and traditional crafts and intangible cultural heritage performances will be displayed at the Temple of Literature and Hà Nội Museum till the end of 2026.

A play entitled Thăng Long Ngự Yến (Thăng Long Royal Banquet) scheduled to be held in October at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel will offer a unique artistic space, recreating ancient court culture combined with modern performance elements.

According to the organisers, the festival will help bring into play roles of heritage spaces and creative spaces in the community. The application of modern technology in performances is also a key feature, contributing to enhancing the experience for locals and tourists.

It will not only be a cultural event but also aim to a target of preserving, promoting, and effectively utilising heritage values. At the same time, it will contribute to building Hà Nội's brand as a creative cultural centre and an attractive destination in the world. — VNS