This year’s festival is not just a cultural showcase. It marks a shift from a standalone event toward building an urban creative ecosystem, where heritage is treated as a resource and traditional crafts form the foundation for new ideas.

Organisers say the programme will turn heritage into an asset, change historic spaces into sources of livelihood, and create sustainable vitality for Hanoi. By linking old streets, markets and craft villages with modern design, the city hopes to boost both culture and the economy.

Pham Thi Thanh Huong, head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, explains that the theme “Thang Long – Land of Artisans and Craftsmanship” celebrates the connection between Hanoi’s cultural heritage, traditional crafts and contemporary creativity. She adds that knowledge passed down through generations is not only heritage to preserve but also a resource for innovation and new economic opportunities.

Through the Creative Design Festival, Hanoi aims to develop models and products for cultural industries and strengthen its place in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. Linking heritage with the creative economy therefore becomes a key driver of urban development and community prosperity.