Hanoi will host the Creative Design Festival 2024 from November 9 to 17, which aims to honor and promote creative design resources in the capital.

The Creative Design Festival is an annual activity that aims to realize Hanoi's commitment to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. It contributes to raising awareness of enterprises and the social community about creativity in the development of cultural industries.

One of the four creative pavilions at the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times

Under the theme "Creative Crossroads", the Creative Design Festival 2024 will be jointly organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the Vietnam Association of Architects, the UNESCO Hanoi Office, the Hanoi Promotion Agency, the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, and other public agencies.

An array of activities will be held within the framework of the festival, including exhibitions and seminars with innovative features. The event’s organizing board will launch some creative design contests for young people to encourage them to participate in the future construction of the city space.

The main area of Creative Design Festival 2024 is the creative experience route with the central venue at August Revolution Square and two axes of North-South (Ly Thai To Street - Le Thanh Tong Street) and East-West (Bac Co Slope - Trang Tien Street), where Hanoi's architectural landmarks are concentrated, namely Hanoi Children's Palace, National History Museum, Bac Bo Palace, Opera House, University, flower gardens on Phan Chu Trinh and Ly Thuong Kiet streets.

"Heritage Train" runs between Long Bien Station and Gia Lam Train Factory at Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023.

During the festival, visitors will experience the creative space model in the courtyards of the Hanoi Children's Palace and the National History Museum, flower gardens, and some locations along the festival route.

A variety of outdoor art installations and displays will be arranged for the occasion, such as the installation and display of memorabilia, a display on the theme of "Educational Heritage"; the installation, display, and presentation of creative works at the Children's Palace; and exhibition activities and displays in the fields of fine arts, photography, fashion and painting, among others.

In addition, the Festival will carry out art programs such as Traditional art performances, presentation of intangible cultural heritage; introduction of cinema - theater - circus; fashion collections of young, creative designers; and young dance teams.

At the event, the organizing committee will introduce cultural tours and heritage experiences, explore the beautiful architecture of Hanoi; and parade activities to showcase creative ideas in various fields on the streets.

During the Creative Design Week, there will also be community sports activities and traditional cuisine will be introduced in creative spaces.

The "Sparkling Heritage" exhibition features 50 sketch works at the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023.

The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 attracted over 60,000 visitors.

In 2019, UNESCO included Hanoi in the Creative Cities Network, a significant step for the city after being named a City for Peace in 2009.

The decision has encouraged the city to continue its socio-economic transition to become a sustainable and creative city based on a wealth of cultural heritage, enabling a new economic growth model.

With a large population of young, creative people, it is apparent that Hanoi has an opportunity to redirect itself. However, there are still challenges to overcome in developing a creative community.

According to the city's authorities, Hanoi has a long history, a rich culture, and a young, creative population that will drive the city's creative development. Hanoi aims to become a talent hub that nurtures ideas in design and creativity, supports creative projects, and promotes international cooperation in the field.

The UNESCO office in Hanoi said the city has made a lot of progress and there is a good air of creativity in the city. Developing a creative hub of the city's size is not easy and a lot of work is needed to sustain the growth. In the city's creative development, a young population is the main driver.