From street playgrounds to ASIAD: HNAIO and the transformation of Vietnamese hip hop

On April 25 and 26, the Hanoi All In One 2026 (HNAIO 2026) event took place at the Star Theatre (Hanoi), aiming to select representatives for Vietnam to participate in the Asian Games 2026, contributing to the promotion of a dynamic, integrated, and culturally rich Vietnam in the cultural flow.

The spirit of friendly and open exchange at HNAIO 2026 (Photo: Tranh Anh)

HNAIO - A journey of over 10 years of persistent efforts

HNAIO was founded in 2013 as a playground for the hip hop community in Hanoi. After more than a decade of development, the program has gradually established its position in the Vietnamese hip hop community while expanding connections to international arenas.

Notably, the champion of the Men's Breaking Solo 18 category this year will represent Vietnam at the Asian Games 2026 (ASIAD 2026). This marks the second year that Breaking is officially included in the ASIAD competition system, and the second time HNAIO has been present at this regional event.

Sharing about the goals and direction of the competition, Mr. Pham Khanh Linh, Head of the Organising Committee, stated: “For us, HNAIO is not just a competition but a journey to build a cultural exchange space between people, between Vietnam and the world. Through this, we hope to contribute to bringing the image of a dynamic, creative, and culturally rich Vietnam closer to international friends.”

Mr. Pham Khanh Linh, Head of the Organising Committee, proudly shares about HNAIO's journey (Photo: Trang Anh).

According to Mr. Linh, in 2026, HNAIO marks a significant transformation by attracting nearly 400 contestants with many international dance crews. They have chosen Hanoi All In One as a cultural destination where they can exchange, connect, and learn more about Vietnamese culture through hip hop.

Contestant Liu Zi Ning, a 16-year-old from China, shared: “I came to this competition to learn more from dancers in Vietnam and other countries. During the competition, I found the hip hop community here to be very enthusiastic, energetic, and extremely vibrant.”

Contestant Liu Zi Ning comfortably shares at the event (Photo: Trang Anh)

Hip Hop - A Journey of overcoming challenges to self-improvement

Behind the development of HNAIO in particular and Vietnamese hip hop in general is a passionate journey of local dancers.

Contestant Thanh Tung from Hanoi emotionally shared: “I have been attached to hip hop since middle school because it brings a very youthful and dynamic energy.” According to Tung, this discipline harmoniously combines art and sports, allowing him to both freely create and improve his health.

Thanh Tung sincerely shares about his journey with hip hop (Photo: Trang Anh)

However, the journey has never been easy. He noted that this discipline requires both good physical condition and a keen sense of music.

Nevertheless, he emphasised: “These challenges are not insurmountable; perseverance is key. Once overcome, one becomes more complete.”

The efforts of individuals like Tung have created a mature and resilient Vietnamese hip hop community.

Judge Wilson from China, who has been present at HNAIO for the second consecutive year, shared his impressions of the Vietnamese hip hop community: “I can clearly see the progress of Vietnamese contestants. Compared to last year, their techniques and movement connections have significantly improved, and the number of contestants has also increased.”

Judge Wilson serves for the second consecutive year at HNAIO (Photo: Trang Anh)

Besides objective assessments of the contestants' maturity, Judge Wilson also emphasized his belief in the strong development potential of Vietnamese hip hop in the future.

A Bridge to Spread the Image of Vietnam

More than just a competition, Hanoi All In One 2026 also reflects the image of a youthful, open, and gradually integrating Vietnam.

Sharing her impressions of Vietnam through the competition, Ms. Rin, an audience member from Tunisia, excitedly said: “This is my first time in Hanoi, and I am really happy to be here. The experience here is wonderful. Everyone is full of energy and incredibly open.”

Ms. Rin enthusiastically shares her impressions during her first visit to Hanoi (Photo: Trang Anh)

“I am particularly impressed to witness dancers from various cultures exchanging. I can't wait to share this experience with my family and friends,” she added.

With professionalism and dedication from the organisers, contestants, and fans, HNAIO 2026 not only brings exciting battles but also leaves a mark of cross-border connections. In the rhythm of hip hop, the image of a youthful, open, and culturally rich Vietnam has naturally spread. This is also the sustainable value that the event aims for, contributing to bringing Vietnam's image closer to international friends.

From a community playground, HNAIO is showing a clear advancement of Vietnamese hip hop, where the dance moves are not just performances but begin to carry aspirations of competition, connection, and representation of the national image on regional stages. In this flow, hip hop is not just art or sport but has become a cultural language where Vietnam can confidently step out and be recognised in a new way.

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