Hanoi Kicks Off Thang Long Heritage Festival 2026

Hanoi, Vietnam – The second Thang Long-Hanoi Festival 2026 commenced on the evening of September 11 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. The festival, themed 'Heritage Flow' (Dòng chảy di sản - Heritage Flow), aims to blend the rich cultural heritage of the ancient capital with contemporary artistic expressions. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc, a Politburo member, along with other government officials, highlighting expectations for the preservation and development of cultural heritage and the promotion of tourism. The festival will feature a variety of traditional arts and contemporary art exhibitions and performances from across Vietnam. Noteworthy are initiatives exploring new possibilities for the northern traditional opera 'Hat Boi' and the southern 'Cai Luong,' as well as performances by the Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Theater. Organizers aim for the festival to generate 'double benefits,' not only serving as a cultural event but also revitalizing the local economy centered on heritage and attracting domestic and international tourists. The Hanoi People's Committee intends to use the festival as an opportunity to reaffirm Hanoi's identity and link it to sustainable development. Under its one-party communist system, Vietnam continues to pursue economic growth, with the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage being emphasized for strengthening national soft power and increasing tourism revenue. In recent years, while deepening economic ties with China, Vietnam has been navigating a strategic balance concerning historical territorial issues and the South China Sea. In this context, cultural events in historical cities like Hanoi serve to reinforce national identity and appeal to the international community.