For a whole month, the timeless streets of the Old Quarter transform into a vibrant, living cultural stage, inviting residents and visitors alike to actively celebrate, experience and shape the profound heritage of Vietnam’s capital.
The vibrant realm of the Centre for Culture and Art – No.22 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi.
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23, the venerable Hanoi Old Quarter has transformed into a dynamic cultural corridor, hosting a month-long series of events that began this week and will continue until December 15.
According to the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi Old Quarter, this year’s expansive celebration is strategically designed to not only showcase the artistic and spiritual values safeguarded by generations but also to actively engage the community in the preservation and forward-looking reimagining of the city’s profound heritage.
With more than a millennium of history, the Old Quarter, renowned for its “36 guild streets,” remains a vibrant tapestry of narrow tube houses, ancient temples, bustling market lanes, and craft traditions that have successfully navigated periods of upheaval and modernization. This year’s festivities are a concerted effort to allow this living heritage to breathe anew, establishing the area as a vibrant creative hub.
The Heritage House at No.87 Ma May Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: George Lai
The series of activities commenced at the 40 Lan Ong Relic Site with a special program dedicated to honoring 30 years of the heritage value of Hanoi’s Ao Dai, Vietnam’s iconic traditional dress. Visitors to the site can also explore a curated exhibition focusing on the renowned physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong, complemented by a fragrant, experiential space dedicated to medicinal teas- a nod to the street’s long-standing identity as a center of traditional medicine.
Just a short distance away, the Kim Ngan Communal House at 42-44 Hang Bac is hosting the “Kim Ngan Communal House Storytelling Space,” a dedicated project inspired by the structure’s distinctive architectural motifs. This initiative introduces a new, synchronized identification system for the architecture, signage, and display items, a thoughtful move to make the communal house’s heritage more accessible and engaging for visitors.
Inside this highly immersive setting, guests can experience recreated scenes of historic craft guild councils, examine traditional jewelry and hornware, and observe research into how ancient decorative patterns are being adapted for contemporary tourism materials and cultural souvenirs, with the aim of harmonizing and elevating heritage displays throughout the Old Quarter.
The celebration will culminate in the refined atmosphere of the Kim Ngan Communal House on the evening of November 22, with “Old Quarter Music Stories,” a heritage performance by leading artists of the Dong Kinh Co Nhac- Ancient Music Group of Tonkin. This program offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the exquisite beauty of ancient Vietnamese music within an authentic Old Quarter environment.
Artists from Dong Kinh Co Nhac- Ancient Music Group of Tonkin will present a special performance in celebration of this year’s Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day. Photo: Dong Kinh Co Nhac Group
Beyond performances and exhibitions, community engagement is a core tenet of this year’s program. Workshops will offer participants the hands-on opportunity to print ancient patterns using Thanh Lieu woodblocks and to create their own souvenirs from traditional materials such as silk, wood, and do paper.
A representative of the Organizing Committee emphasized that heritage must be viewed not merely as a memory, but as a dynamic creative resource for the sustainable development of tourism and cultural industries.
Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day has been officially observed on November 23 since 2005 to honor the nation’s diverse cultural legacy. Since then, annual celebrations have played an essential role in safeguarding and promoting Vietnam’s tangible and intangible heritage- from ancient archaeological sites and historic monuments to traditional crafts, performing arts, and community rituals.
Over the years, activities marking this day have expanded nationwide, including exhibitions, heritage festivals, academic seminars, cultural performances, and community-led preservation programs. Together, they help raise public awareness, encourage participation in heritage protection, and highlight the richness of Vietnam’s cultural identity for both domestic and international audiences.
