The event, co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, is the first in a series of cultural, sport and tourism activities to celebrate the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Huynh Vinh Ai, said the cultural exchange festival aims to introduce special cultural characters of different areas and regions to both Vietnamese and foreign visitors.

The three-day event is also an opportunity to advertise Vietnam’s potential in cultural, trade and tourism development and mark the 54^th liberation day of the capital (Oct. 10).

Main activities in the festival included the performance of typical traditional arts, traditional dress shows, folk games, as well as the introduction of culinary culture and products of traditional craft villages.

Artists and artisans from 20 cultural and fine art troupes of provinces and cities gave their special performances in the opening ceremony such as Gong performance of ethnic minority groups in northern and Central Highland regions, drum dance, and quan ho folk songs.