Hanoi is actively working to brand itself as a "City of Events” by successfully organizing a series of events to showcase the capital's image as a safe and friendly destination for domestic and international visitors.

The highlight of such events has been the Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2023. Held from October 27 to 29 in the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake, the festival attracted a large number of domestic and international tourists as well as residents.

The Ao Dai performance program "The Capital’s Women - Integration and Development" is held in Hanoi. Photo: Khanh Huy

Sandra Bodeur and her husband from Australia attended the festival and were captivated by a group of women wearing ao dai and posing for photos at the Ly Thai To statue.

Sandra Bodeur said it was the first time she had seen Vietnamese women in traditional attire - ao dai - in person in Hanoi, although she had seen them in the media and at international sporting events on television. She praised the beauty, uniqueness and elegance of Vietnamese Ao Dai and expressed her wish to have an Ao Dai for herself.
"The Vietnamese people should be proud of Ao Dai and disseminate it more widely through cultural exchange activities such as the Hanoi Ao Dai Festival," she said.

Amidst the vibrant and colorful atmosphere of the Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2023, many foreigners expressed their enthusiasm when they saw Vietnamese women wearing the traditional Ao Dai.

" The traditional dress is really beautiful. It is wonderful to be in these busy places of the festival and see the full display of Ao Dai colors," said J. Peter, a tourist from the UK.

Huong Van from Ngoc Lam Ward, Long Bien District, who arrived early to join the Zumba dance in an Ao Dai, thought this year's festival was well planned.

It has secured the participation of many Ao Dai brands, designers, accessory suppliers, travel agencies, culinary establishments and skilled craftsmen, she added.

"We hope this festival will be held annually and become a unique tourism product with a strong traditional cultural identity for domestic and international tourists to Hanoi every fall," she said.

Hanoi Tourism's efforts to promote the capital city's image as a safe and friendly destination are not only demonstrated by the Ao Dai Festival, but also by a series of events that have increased in number this year.

Tourism and cultural events blossom in the city.

As of the end of October 2023, more than 2,200 cultural, artistic and sports events have been held in the capital, including 1,594 artistic performances and nearly 40 major sports events in the city's districts and towns, Tran Thi Van Anh, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told a related meeting on October 31.

She added that the city has organized more than 10 political events to commemorate historical milestones and important national and Hanoi-related holidays. These include the 80th anniversary of the Outline of Vietnamese Culture (1943-2023), the 50th anniversary of the liberation of revolutionary soldiers imprisoned by the US-backed regime in the South (March 1973-March 2023), and the 50th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (January 27, 1973-January 27, 2023).

Besides, the city has also cooperated with embassies and international organizations in Vietnam to host the French gastronomic festival "Balade en France" in 2023 as part of the 12th cooperation conference between localities of Vietnam and France, the "European Village" event of the EU, cultural promotion programs of the British Embassy, cultural and tourism promotion events of the UAE in Hanoi, and the "Taste of Australia" festival, among other exchange and promotion events.

In close coordination with departments, agencies, sectors, districts, and communes, the city has successfully supported and organized a summer music program, the "Night of Music by Den" artistic program, the 2023 Born Pink World Tour, and the 2023 Monsoon Music Festival, among other large-scale artistic programs and outdoor events with large turnouts.

The city has also taken care of major sports events by hosting the Hanoi Open Cycling Race, Hanoi Techcombank Marathon, Hanoimoi Newspaper Run 2023, VPBank International Marathon Hanoi, and Hanoi Marathon - Heritage Race 2023.

Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha speaks at the meeting. Photo: Minh An

During the conference, Vu Thu Ha, Deputy Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, presented commendations from the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee to 26 organizations and 50 individuals for their outstanding contributions to cultural event services in Hanoi.

The Hanoi Police Department was recognized for its outstanding achievements in maintaining security and order at cultural events in Hanoi, which has greatly contributed to strengthening ties, cooperation and mutual support between Hanoi and other localities nationwide.

Cultural promotion events held by foreign embassies in the city have received strong support from the city government, contributing greatly to expanding and improving cultural exchange and promotion between Hanoi and other countries, and accelerating the capital's international integration.

The achievements demonstrate Hanoi's ability to organize large-scale events and establish itself as a safe and friendly destination for domestic and international guests, stressed the Deputy Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Municipal Department of Culture and Sports Van Anh added that the city is processing many proposals for a wide range of cultural and sports activities, including large-scale international events.

Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Vu Thu Ha, urged the city's cultural sector to identify activities and events for the coming year and draw up a plan to facilitate coordination in organizing events.