The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, running from November 17 to November 26, revolves around the theme “Flow” with a focal point on three key pillars: design, community, and creativity. The festival aims to bridge creativity and harness the rich historical and cultural traditions, directing towards the development of the Capital’s Creative Cultural Industry.
In adherence to the Plan No. 251/KH-UBND dated October 16, 2023, by the Hanoi People’s Committee regarding the organization of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, on November 13, the Department of Culture and Sports of Hanoi held a press conference to inform about the activities taking place at the festival. Co-chairing the press conference were Mr. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, and Mr. Phan Dang Son, President of the Vietnam Association of Architects. Attendees included representatives from the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), the Vietnam Railways Corporation, the People’s Committee of Long Bien District, architects, artists, and a multitude of press reporters from both national and Hanoi-based media outlets.
Overview of the press conference
The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023, hereafter referred to as the Festival, is directed by the Hanoi People’s Committee in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Architects. The event is organized by the Department of Culture and Sports, Architecture Magazine (Vietnam Association of Architects), and the Vietnam Railways Corporation. It is supported by the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), and coordinated with various departments, committees, sectors, People’s Committees of districts, towns, and relevant organizing units. The Festival also witnesses the participation of numerous sponsors and, notably, the enthusiastic involvement of cultural and educational organizations, universities, training institutes, businesses, community groups, experts, and creative talents in the fields of creative design, visual arts, performing arts, handicrafts, culinary arts, fashion, music, heritage conservation, and community development.
Running from November 17 to November 26, 2023, under the theme “Flow,” the Festival is centered on three main pillars: design, community, and creativity. The experiential route of the Festival emphasizes the connection between the two sides of the river through the historic Long Bien Bridge, simultaneously highlighting the historical and cultural values in districts and counties within the city.
Mr. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, spokes at the press conference
Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, highlighted that Hanoi possesses abundant resources for the development of the cultural industry, including heritage, human resources, cultural infrastructure, and the city’s status. Particularly noteworthy is the attention given by the Municipal Party Committee – People’s Council – People’s Committee of the City to the cultural development sector and the construction of refined and cultured citizens of Hanoi. Additionally, the policy of relocating industrial production facilities outside the inner city has left behind industrial heritage with significant potential waiting to be awakened. “The festival is an opportunity to transform industrial heritage into a creative cultural complex, generating new services, products, attracting investments, and implementing the development strategy of the Capital’s Cultural Industry towards sustainable growth. With this transformative vision, Gia Lam Locomotive Factory is the focal point of this year’s festival – poised to become an immensely appealing hub for the youth of Hanoi. The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 conveys the message: Creative design – awakening industrial heritage, transforming dormant factories and warehouses into aesthetically pleasing and educationally valuable creative complexes,” emphasized Mr. Do Dinh Hong.
President of the Vietnam Association of Architects Phan Dang Son addressed the press conference.
President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, Phan Dang Son, who co-chaired the press conference, shared his thoughts: Hanoi has spaces that have been forgotten. The Organizing Committee hopes that this festival will vividly awaken creativity, ignite the flow, make the flow magical, and attractive, and lead it into the future. At the same time, the Organizing Committee also hopes that every step taken with the festival will add excitement, love for life, and love for Hanoi – the Creative City.
Mr. Hoang Nang Khang, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways Corporation, discussed at the press conference
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the “Heritage Journey” experience. Mr. Hoang Nang Khang, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways Corporation, stated: On the occasion of the festival, Vietnam Railways Corporation is organizing a train route from Long Bien station, across Long Bien Bridge, and concluding at Gia Lam station. From there, visitors will walk to Gia Lam Locomotive Factory to enjoy the festival. The Railway Corporation will enhance the “special” art cars with the participation of artists on board, creating a lasting impression for those who experience it.
Spanning over 10 days, the festival is set to host more than 60 cultural activities, featuring 4 architectural showcases, over 20 exhibitions, and displays, along with more than 20 seminars and discussions, including 5 international forums. Furthermore, the event will present 9 art showcases, a series of community events, and a creative fair held at the festival’s main venues: Gia Lam Locomotive Factory, Hang Dau Water Tower, and Van Xuan Flower Garden; Long Bien Station and Gia Lam Station; as well as various cultural activities throughout the districts and towns in Hanoi. The event’s theme, “Flow,” revolves around connecting creativity and amplifying historical and cultural traditions, aiming at the development of the Capital’s creative cultural industry. The festival will witness the participation of over 200 units, creators, and artists from various fields, especially many young artists actively contributing ideas and engaging in the program.
The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 serves as a platform for artists and creators to showcase numerous unique and impressive works, including Trinh Minh Tien’s exhibition “Aquatic Palace,” the art installation exhibition “The Call” by artist Thu Tran and designer Nguyen Hong Hanh, and the contemporary art exhibition “MAP 2023 – Peripheral Movement” by Heritage Space, along with various innovative displays in other fields. The festival also features entertaining activities, cultural and culinary experiences, virtual reality, and games, providing a stimulating environment for children’s creativity and introducing diverse and traditional culinary delights suitable for all ages. The festival is supported by companies such as CROLED Lighting Joint Stock Company, MINH LONG Wood Group Joint Stock Company, FORD Vietnam Ltd, TASCO Mall, ADES Lighting Vietnam Company Limited, SOVICO Group, and several others.
In its third year, the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 has expanded significantly, becoming a convergence point for experts, domestic and international organizations, artists, and creative communities across various fields, from design and art to sound and light, to operational design, organization, students, volunteers, environmental sanitation teams, workers from Gia Lam Locomotive Factory, and railways. All are collaborating to create a creative playground, nurture ideas, and connect creators, delivering to the people of Hanoi and tourists both local and international a diverse, high-quality, and vibrant cultural product, showcasing the inexhaustible internal resources of Hanoi. Notably, the spirit of innovation is spreading to districts, towns, and traditional craft villages throughout the city through a series of cultural, artistic, creative, and innovative events in local areas. The festival has increasingly asserted its presence and contributed to inspiring creativity, promising to be a launchpad for the capital’s creative strength, steering towards future sustainable economic activities, and serving as a driving force for the development of various cultural and service industries.