A new creative space has opened in Hanoi's Thong Nhat Park pedestrian zone, which is expected to further honor Hanoi's membership in UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

It was inaugurated by Thong Nhat Park and ICEP-Hanoi Classy (International Cultural Exchange and Preservation), a unit of UNESCO Vietnam on September 1.

Green space of Thong Nhat Park.

According to Nguyen Quang Trung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Ba Trung District, this creative space is part of the city's policy to develop creative spaces for people's cultural exchange, entertainment, shopping, and cuisine, thereby boosting trade and tourism in the area.

This creative space is inspired by Hanoi in the 1990s when the city was transitioning from a centralized planning economy to a market economy. Young people are drawn to the colorful photo booths set up under huge, lush green trees.

Pho (noodle soup) from Hang Chieu Street, young green rice flakes of Vong Village from Vong Village are among the Hanoi specialties offered at the food stalls.

The pedestrian street in the area surrounding Thong Nhat Park will be an attractive place for young people thanks to areas dedicated to outdoor movie screenings, music, and sports.

The walking space in front of Thong Nhat Park has become a place where many young people go to hang out on weekends. Photo: Baogiaothong.vn

Among the movies offered at the Walking Space, Duoi tan xa cu (Under the Canopy of the Nacre Tree), directed by Cu Kim Chi, depicts Hanoi's past and present. In just 15 minutes, each part of Hanoi's history will be relived through the screen, reminiscent and touching, and also very intimate to Hanoians.

In addition, the flowers from Nguyen Trang Phuong's Xavia brand displayed here not only help protect the environment but also provide vocational training and jobs for rural women.
This is a project that ICEP-Hanoi Classy sponsors, using recycled agricultural waste to create creative and artistic flowers for this public space decoration.

"The establishment of the Artistic Creative Space on the Thong Nhat Park Walking Street will bring many sources of inspiration for artists, young people, nature lovers, sports lovers and Hanoi," said Phan Thu Hang, Director of the UNESCO Center for International Cultural Conservation and Exchange.

Earlier, in December 2022, the Hanoi People's Committee approved a plan to remove the fences surrounding Thong Nhat Park and turn it, along with the pedestrianized Tran Nhan Tong Street and adjacent Thien Quang Lake, into a weekend walking zone. The pedestrian street was officially opened on December 30, 2022.