UNESCO Head and Representative addresses Opening Ceremony of 1st Ha Noi World Culture Festival

Your Excellency Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,

Your Excellency Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, Spouse of H.E. Secretary General of the Communist Party of Viet Nam

Your Excellencies – leaders of Viet Nam and of Ha Noi, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, UN Resident Coordinator and UN colleagues

Dear artists and cultural envoys from Viet Nam and the world

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Hanoi has always been a bridge of cultures — a city where tradition and creativity meet. And today, on 10 October, we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the thousand-year-old capital — Thăng Long – Ha Noi — here at its historic seat of power, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO World Heritage site that continues to embody the enduring spirit of Viet Nam. It is therefore a great honour for UNESCO to join you this evening at the opening of the first Ha Noi World Culture Festival.

On behalf of the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ha Noi People's Committee for bringing this inspiring initiative to life.

Before all else, allow me to express UNESCO's deep sympathy and solidarity with the communities affected by the recent typhoons. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost their homes and loved ones. In these difficult moments, culture reminds us of who we are — of our resilience, our humanity, and our capacity to rebuild together.

This festival embodies that spirit. Under the theme "Joining Hands with Flood-Affected Communities," it shows that culture is not only a celebration of beauty and creativity — it is also a source of compassion, recovery, and unity.

It brings together artists, communities, and nations to share their traditions and innovations — to listen to one another — and to reaffirm that our different cultures do not divide us but in fact bring us together.

UNESCO is proud to accompany Viet Nam on this meaningful journey. Our partnership in the Hanoi World Culture Festival highlights how creativity and humanity go hand in hand.

We are delighted to participate in the Festival through our UNESCO Pavilion, showcasing our cultural programmes in Viet Nam — from heritage conservation to creative industries — through photos, publications, and videos of our projects and events.

We also co-hosted a Vietnamese Tea Ceremony this afternoon with our partner IMEXCO company at the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Ha Noi to celebrate the country's intangible cultural heritage and the artistry that connects people through shared rituals.

Finally, On Sunday, we will organize with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports a seminar on Youth in Ha Noi – Creative City of Design, highlighting how young people are shaping the city's creative future.

Each of these activities reflects our shared commitment with Hanoi and with Viet Nam: to place culture at the heart of sustainable development, to empower communities, and to foster creativity as a force for inclusion and resilience.

Let this festival be remembered — not only for its colours and performances — but also for its message: that when culture connects, humanity unites.

Together, let us keep building a future where culture inspires unity and resilience — here in Ha Noi, and across the world.

Thank you.

Xin cảm ơn!