Creative design festival set to illuminate Hanoi

The annual event, hosted by Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, marks a key initiative in the city's membership of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, aiming to drive its development as a creative hub and enhance its cultural industries.

The festival will span various cultural heritage sites, traditional craft villages, and creative spaces throughout Hanoi.

The August Revolution Square will serve as the focal point, with the festival’s creative route extending to notable landmarks such as the Hanoi Children’s Palace, the Vietnam National Museum of History, the State Guest House, the Hanoi Opera House, the University of Hanoi, and the flower gardens along Phan Chu Trinh, and Ly Thuong Kiet streets.

Hang Dau Water Tower, one of the industrial heritage sites in Hanoi, was chosen as a creative destination for the Hanoi Festival of Creative Design 2023

The festival promises dynamic activities designed to spark creativity and foster connections, including exhibitions, installations, and performance art. Highlights will feature unique displays like the Hanoi Children’s Palace artefacts, an exhibition on “Educational Heritage”, and a future-themed exhibit at the National Museum of History.

The festival also provides a chance to dive into cultural tourism, explore heritage sites, sample traditional cuisine, and engage with innovative ideas showcased across the city’s streets. Additionally, workshops and discussions on creativity, art, publishing, fine arts, and architecture will connect creative professionals with art enthusiasts.

In 2023, The Hanoi Festival of Creative Design “Flow”, centred on the Gia Lam Train Factory and offered fresh insights into architectural and industrial heritage, celebrating continuity and innovation through various exhibitions and community design dialogues.

The art exhibition in Hang Dau Water Tower was a highlight of the Hanoi Festival of Creative Design 2023. Photo: VNA

Since joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2019, Hanoi has made considerable progress in embedding culture into local development and fostering international collaboration.

The city now boasts around 60 creative spaces, including seven co-working hubs and 42 cultural-artistic venues, such as the Phung Hung mural space, the Vietnam Craft Quintessence area, the Hanoi Museum of Culture, and pedestrian zones around Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam and the Bac An Khanh – Splendora urban area.

Hanoi is also committed to nurturing creative talent by expanding age groups, improving the quality of creators, and building a creative designers network through various design competitions like “Hanoi Creative Space Design Contest” and “Hanoi Public Art Design Contest”.

According to the 2024-2025 plan for Hanoi’s participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, issued by Vu Thu Ha, vice chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, the city will introduce various activities to demonstrate its commitment to the Network.

Hanoi will invite organisations and individuals in creative design to drive innovation and will enhance collaboration with other network cities. The city will also upgrade the Hanoicreativecity.com website and social media channels, while creating distinctive promotional content about Hanoi as a Creative City, contributing to sustainable economic and social development.

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