Cultural Festival for Peace Celebrates Hanoi’s Milestone

Hanoi kicked off its “Cultural Festival for Peace” on October 6 at Ly Thai To Park, marking the 70th anniversary of the city’s liberation and its 25 years as a UNESCO-designated “City for Peace.”

Over 8,000 participants, including locals and representatives from Hanoi’s 30 districts, took part in the grand celebrations featuring cultural acts around Hoan Kiem Lake.

The festival commenced at 7 a.m. with a heartfelt incense offering at the Ly Thai To statue, in homage to the ancestors’ efforts in building and defending the capital.

A major highlight was the dramatic reenactment of Vietnamese troops entering Hanoi on October 10, 1954, signaling the end of the First Indochina War.

This reenactment involved around 1,000 soldiers and 200 performers, complemented by a crowd of 5,000 local residents, artists, and musicians celebrating key moments in Hanoi’s history.

A performance of the intense 60 days of battle experienced by the city served as a poignant tribute to the resilience of the Vietnamese people during the French resistance.

The festival also showcased the rich culture of Hanoi, featuring traditional heritage recognized by UNESCO and Vietnam.

Art forms like senh tien dancing, Bài Bông dancing, Ải Lao martial arts, dragon dances, water puppetry, ca trù singing, and traditional craft displays were executed throughout the event.

Structured into three segments: “Hanoi Memories,” “Heritage Flow,” and “Hanoi: City of Peace, City of Creativity,” the festival presented a narrative of Hanoi’s evolution from its heroic heritage to a contemporary creative hub.

This gathering celebrated Hanoi’s rich history and also aimed at promoting the city’s cultural sectors and tourism.

Focusing on cultural traditions, the festival sought to solidify the city’s position as a global center for cultural exchange and sustainable growth.

Various leaders including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Permanent Secretary Luong Cuong graced the ceremony, underscoring its significance in Hanoi’s cultural register.

This festival is intended to be an annual event that fosters cultural exchanges and strengthens Hanoi’s stature as a key historical, political, and economic center in Vietnam.

Notable attendees included Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Permanent Secretary Luong Cuong, along with many high-ranking officials from the Party, State, and Hanoi.

The ceremony commenced at 7 a.m. on October 6, featuring an incense offering at Ly Thai To Park to respect the ancestral contributions towards safeguarding the capital.

This event is a highlight for Hanoi as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of its Liberation on October 10, 1954, and the 25th year of its recognition as a “City for Peace” by UNESCO.

A noteworthy feature of the event was the vivid reenactment of the enduring battle against French colonialism that occurred in the city over 60 days and nights.

The main stage was crafted to resemble the historic march of soldiers into Hanoi on October 10, 1954.

This momentous occasion was depicted through elaborate performances with nearly 1,000 soldiers and 200 artists and dancers.

The performances included local artisans and residents from various districts, along with artists, musicians, and international guests.

More than 8,000 individuals, including 5,000 locals and community representatives, participated in the parade, celebrating their unique cultural heritage.

Audiences experienced various intangible cultural heritages acknowledged by UNESCO, showcasing Hanoi’s traditional art forms like Senh Tien, Bai Bong, martial arts, dragon dance, water puppetry, Ca Tru, Xam singing, and cultural rituals dedicated to historical figures.

The program was segmented into three thematic parts: Hanoi Memories, The Flow of Heritage, and Hanoi: City for Peace, City of Creativity.

Every portion conveyed a distinct message, offering a broad insight into Hanoi’s historical and contemporary journey.

The “Cultural Festival for Peace” aims to share the rich historical and cultural narratives of Hanoi with both national and international audiences. It reaffirms Hanoi’s role as a significant cultural and historical city while positioning it as a central hub for tourism, economy, and politics.

This festival is also part of a larger initiative to advance cultural industries and support sustainable economic growth in the region.