ASEAN colours spread friendship in Hanoi
WVR - Music, costumes, performing arts, cuisine, and products rich in the cultural identity of Southeast Asian nations converged at the "ASEAN Cultural Colours 2026" Friendship Exchange program. This event helped bring ASEAN cultures closer to the people of the capital, while fostering solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and other countries in the region.
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| Delegates attending the Friendship Exchange program pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
On the evening of August 19, in Hanoi, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Philippines – the ASEAN Chair for 2026 – and the embassies of ASEAN countries in Vietnam, organized the “ASEAN Cultural Colors 2026” Friendship Exchange program.
The event took place as part of activities commemorating the 81st National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2026), the 59th anniversary of ASEAN's founding (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2026), and the 31st anniversary of Vietnam's official accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 - July 28, 2026).
The program was attended by representatives from central agencies, Hanoi city, the Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, along with ambassadors and representatives from ASEAN diplomatic missions and numerous international friends.
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| Nguyen Ngoc Ky, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, delivers the opening speech. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
In his opening speech, Nguyen Ngoc Ky, Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, emphasized that after 31 years of accompanying ASEAN, Vietnam increasingly demonstrates its proactive, positive, and responsible role in the region. The decision to join ASEAN in 1995 opened a phase of deep international integration, with ASEAN always holding an important position in Vietnam's foreign policy.
According to Nguyen Ngoc Ky, Hanoi will continue to play a connecting role, coordinating with ASEAN embassies and international organizations to promote people-to-people exchanges and expand cooperation in culture, education, and economics. In the first year of ASEAN's Community Vision 2045 implementation, Hanoi hopes to further strengthen cooperation with member countries to serve the capital's development goals.
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| Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III speaks at the program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Praising the significance of the program, the Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations stated that “ASEAN Cultural Colors” is a bridge for international cultural exchange, contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship between the people of Hanoi, the people of Vietnam, and the people of ASEAN countries and international friends.
Not only a cultural exchange activity, the program also helps promote the image, country, people, and unique cultural values of Southeast Asian nations. Through cultural experience spaces, displays of traditional fabric products, some of Hanoi's OCOP products, along with culinary and artistic exchanges, delegates and guests have more opportunities to explore the diversity yet rich similarities of the ASEAN community.
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| One of the special cultural performances at the program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
The program also contributes to igniting the aspiration to build the capital as “Civilized - Modern - Happy”, reaffirming Hanoi as a “City for Peace”, a “Creative City”, a “Global Learning City”, as well as a safe, friendly, and hospitable destination.
Speaking at the event, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, representing the ASEAN Chair for 2026, emphasized that after 59 years of formation and development, ASEAN has affirmed its central role in the region. The year 2026 is also a special milestone as Vietnam celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations with the Philippines and Thailand.
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| The exhibition area introduces traditional costumes and products of the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the event. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Sharing his impressions after starting his term in Hanoi from January 2026, Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III noted many similarities among ASEAN countries, reflected in dances, costumes, musical instruments, and customs of ethnic communities.
These similarities, according to the Ambassador, once again demonstrate the vision of ASEAN's founding leaders in building a cohesive regional community. “We truly are one family, the ASEAN family,” the Philippine Ambassador shared.
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| Delegates visit the exhibition area of traditional Vietnamese silk products. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
From these shared values, the Ambassador emphasized the responsibility of ASEAN countries to preserve and promote these similarities, thereby continuing to strengthen the cohesion among members in the region.
Within the program's framework, delegates and guests visited exhibition spaces showcasing products made from traditional ASEAN fabrics such as silk, brocade, and batik; explored some of Hanoi's notable OCOP products and enjoyed traditional dishes with rich, sophisticated flavors from Southeast Asian countries.
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| A corner displaying Vietnamese products. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
The highlight of the program was the musical performances by Vietnamese artists and staff from ASEAN Embassies. Through music, costumes, and traditional dances, the artists presented a colorful ASEAN cultural picture, contributing to spreading understanding, connection, and friendship among the people of the region.
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| Delegates visit the exhibition area of traditional Vietnamese silk products. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
