Hanoi Lotus Festival 2026 Draws 300,000 Visitors

The Hanoi Lotus Festival 2026, recently concluded in Vietnam's capital, welcomed 300,000 visitors. The festival is part of Hanoi's strategy to boost its cultural industries by transforming cultural heritage into a driver of socio-economic development. The event aimed to showcase the cultural and tourism values of Thang Long – Hanoi, honour the beauty and significance of the lotus in Vietnamese life, and promote lotus-based products to invigorate the capital’s cultural and tourism sectors. Lotus season in Hanoi, particularly in the ponds around West Lake, is in full bloom, captivating visitors with the elegant beauty of white and pink blossoms. After three editions under the theme "Bridging Asia", DANAFF IV has adopted the new theme "Bridging Asia to the World", reflecting its ambition to connect Vietnamese cinema more closely with regional and global film industries. This year’s race route once again left a strong impression as participants passed through some of Ly Son’s most iconic landscapes, including windswept coastal roads, dramatic volcanic rock formations and distinctive green garlic fields. The two teams were selected by the the jury of DIFF 2026 after the qualifying rounds, based on criteria including concept and theme, creativity, pyrotechnic effects, synchronisation between music and fireworks, overall performance quality, and audience impact. Centred on presenting a Vietnam that is youthful and dynamic while remaining deeply rooted in cultural identity, the festival offered a diverse programme combining exhibitions, cultural experiences, cuisine, performing arts and film, contributing to the promotion of Vietnam’s image and people to Czech and international audiences. Xam singing, a folk art form with a history of more than 700 years, is not only a distinctive form of performance but also a living archive of Vietnamese cultural memory, reflecting everyday life, emotions, and aspirations across generations. Themed "Vision," the two teams brought the festival's qualifying round to a spectacular close with performances that combined artistic storytelling, synchronised music and cutting-edge pyrotechnic techniques. The pagoda preserves 896 woodblocks, including 26 sets of Buddhist texts and several unidentified pieces. With its larger scale and broader international participation, Sports Festival 2026 is expected to become one of Vietnam's standout sporting events this summer while enriching community activities and supporting tourism during the peak travel season. A series of activities have been held in Montreuil city from June 26-28 to mark the 115th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's departure for a path to national liberation (June 5) and the 80th anniversary of his 1946 state visit to France as a guest of the French Government. Modern families must do more than nurture compassion. They should also raise citizens equipped with digital skills, an innovative mindset, legal awareness and a strong sense of social responsibility. Policies on ethnic affairs and culture must be people-centred, ensuring that ethnic minority communities can participate in, contribute to and benefit from the country's development. Supporting ethnic minorities, including the Cham people, is not only a political responsibility but also a humanitarian commitment, said Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel always considers Vietnamese in Israel an inseparable part of the nation and would continue to assist them in their study, work and daily lives. Cultural and art exchanges provide opportunities for people from different countries to learn about one another's traditions, strengthen friendship and promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development, said Ha Thanh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations. Vietnam Day in Greece 2026 was a meaningful event that helped strengthen people-to-people exchanges, promote the image of Vietnam, its culture and people, and further reinforce the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Greece. Yoga exchange activities over the years have become a cultural bridge, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Vietnam and India, while spreading the values of healthy and fulfilling living throughout the community. As Hanoi accelerates efforts to develop its cultural industries and strengthen its position as a UNESCO Creative City, experts believe traditional martial arts could become a valuable cultural asset with significant economic potential. A highlight of Kids Fest 2026 is an interactive experience zone inspired by a Rubik's Cube, with six colourful sections representing creativity, arts, sports, knowledge, the environment, and family and global integration. The showcased works present diverse perspectives on a peaceful, stable and dynamic Vietnam where human rights are respected, protected and promoted. Digital technology is showcasing the World Cultural Heritage site of My Son Sanctuary, enabling visitors to experience its historical and cultural significance while supporting long-term conservation. The site's authenticity is being preserved through scientific restoration and digital transformation, enhancing the visitor experience, and promoting sustainable tourism. The festival, running from April to December, features a wide range of commemorative, cultural, artistic, sporting, tourism, investment networking, trade promotion and community activities carrying messages of peace, friendship and development. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.