Hanoi harnesses “soft power” of culture in development
Since joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the “Design” category in 2019, Hanoi has organised a multitude of activities relating to design and creativity.
Hanoi (VNA) – Since joining the UNESCOCreative Cities Network in the “Design” category in 2019, Hanoi has organised amultitude of activities relating to design and creativity.
The capital city has participated in the networkwith the aim of turning cultural resources and creations into the foundation forits sustainable urban development, said Director of the municipal Department ofCulture and Sports Do Dinh Hong.
The membership has helped the city set out new objectivesfor cultural development, inspire creativity and envision its new brand in theinternational arena, he continued.
Over the past four years, Hanoi has coordinated withrelevant sides to launch many creativity-based contests for people from allwalks of life, especially youths, which have contributed to its urbanconstruction and sustainable development.
Notably, walking streets, including those aroundHoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the capital, the Son Tay ancient citadel, andthe Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa neighbourhood, stand as vital hubs for leisure andrecreation, catering to both tourists and locals.
The city has launched various exhibitions held at the HanoiMuseum, the UNESCO-recognised Thang Long imperial citadel, and the VanMieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex), and created many culturaland creative spaces such as the digital exhibition marking the 500th deathanniversary of Italian painter Raphael (1483-1520), and an exhibitionthemed “Fabric scraps” displaying artworks made by the disabled.
An outstanding example is the Hanoi CreativeDesign Festival 2023 held last November with 60 events and activities, which served as a platform for the exchangeand display of creative activities in various areas in the city.
Gia Lam train factory - a highlight of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi has always paid attention to internationalcooperation in this regard as reflected through its organisation of manyseminars and workshops on creative cities and cultural industry at home andabroad, as well as its participation in similar events.
The city will launch more creative activities,focusing on its heritage elements, to create a foundation for its sustainable development,while stepping up communications work to promote creativity among thepublic.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was created in2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identifiedcreativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
Almost 300 cities around the world which currentlymake up this network work together towards a common objective: placingcreativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans atthe local level and cooperating actively at the international level./.
The ASEAN’s UNESCO Creative Cities Network Conference in Hanoi took place at Hanoi Museum on November 18 with a focus on urban regeneration and sustainable development.
A dialogue themed “Hanoi Creative City – City Branding and Sector Development” was held in Hanoi by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports and the British Council in Vietnam.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
A walking street in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) 
Gia Lam train factory - a highlight of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023. (Photo: VNA) 
