Hanoi: The 2023 Hanoi Creative Design Festival, marking its second edition, commenced on the evening of November 17 at the Gia Lam train factory, featuring a wide range of engaging activities. The event is a collaborative effort between the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Vietnam Association of Architects, the Vietnam Railway Corporation, and other relevant agencies.
According to Vietnam News Agency, Vu Thu Ha, the festival is a significant step in Hanoi’s journey since joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network nearly four years ago. The city has undertaken numerous initiatives, including the annual Hanoi Creative Design Festival and activities focused on urban regeneration and cultural heritage promotion. These efforts aim to harness the capital’s potential, increase community awareness, and foster connections and collaborations across various creative and cultural industries, in line with Hanoi’s commitments to UNESCO.
UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, Ramla Khalidi, recognized Hanoi’s traditional strengths and its potential to lead in various developmental fields. The festival exemplifies Hanoi’s endeavor to become Vietnam’s creative capital.
This year’s festival is hosted in a nearly 120-year-old industrial heritage site, now repurposed into a creative hub featuring unique architectural works. The event, themed ‘Flow’, runs until November 26 and is expected to attract not just the creative community, but also art enthusiasts. It includes nearly 60 activities, exhibitions, and art and community experience events.
The festival’s program extends to community activities on the mudflats of the Hong (Red) River, including a bicycle tour, design contests, and a fair showcasing an array of products in handicrafts, fashion, and communications. Innovative technology experiences, such as three-dimensional painting and virtual tours, are also part of the event.
Workshops and seminars scheduled during the festival will serve as platforms for creators and managers to explore avenues for realizing Hanoi’s aspirations for innovation and creativity.
A highlight of the festival is a special train service connecting the two sides of the Red River. The train departs from the Hanoi Railway Station, crosses the iconic Long Bien Bridge to Gia Lam Railway Station, leading visitors to the transformed Gia Lam Train Factory. This community space features booths displaying domestic creative brands and products across various fields, from handicrafts to fashion and communication-advertisement.
Hanoi’s participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network since 2019 has been instrumental in fostering such creative initiatives, further solidifying its status as a hub for cultural and creative industries.