When and where does the Hanoi Autumn Festival 2026 take place?
The Hanoi Autumn Festival 2026, themed "Hanoi Autumn, A Journey of Emotions", runs from 16 to 18 October 2026 at Thong Nhat Park in Hai Ba Trung ward, Hanoi, along with supporting areas and activities in various communes and wards. The dates were adjusted from the originally planned 25-27 September 2026.
According to the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the change follows Plan No. 56/KH-SVHTT&DL dated 27 August 2026, to ensure progress, quality and event requirements while creating a highlight to promote Hanoi's image in autumn. Other content continues under the issued plan.
Scale and goals
The overall space covers about 5,000 square metres, including booths, festival areas, experience zones, decorative installations and supporting areas. The festival aims to introduce and spread the values of cultural heritage, historical relics, scenic spots, traditional craft villages and Hanoi's culinary essence. It also acts as a tourism demand stimulus, contributing to the capital's tourism growth, longer stays and higher visitor spending. In the long term, organisers hope to build the Hanoi Autumn Festival into an annual event of large scale and reach, expanding exchange with international organisations and embassies.
What are the 9 experience spaces?
The festival is designed with 9 functional spaces, each with its own character, spanning heritage, tourism, craft villages, cuisine, art and international exchange. The table below summarises each space.
| Space | Main content |
|---|---|
| Hanoi Heritage | Recreates "old Hanoi" with the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, yellow-leaf trees, mossy tile roofs, yellow walls and wooden doors; displays heritage documents and images, and uses mapping projection for The Huc Bridge, Doan Mon, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Huong Pagoda, Ba Vi, Soc Son and Duong Lam ancient village |
| Tourism and Experience | Introduces autumn tourism products and tours (Hoan Kiem, the Old Quarter, West Lake, Ba Vi, Huong Son); applies smart tourism maps, QR codes, LED screens and VR/AR experiences |
| Craft Villages and Community Culture | Uses eco-friendly bamboo and wood; presents Bat Trang, Van Phuc and Duong Lam craft villages; visitors try pottery, silk weaving, to he figurine making, fan making and conical hat making with artisans |
| Local Connections | Displays images, OCOP products and typical tourism products of provinces and cities, promoting inter-regional tourism links |
| International Exchange | Bilingual signage, a world map check-in area and cultural symbols of various countries, creating a space for exchange with embassies and international organisations |
| Hanoi Cuisine | Brings together autumn culinary highlights: com (green rice), mooncakes, lotus tea, pho, bun thang and bun cha; artisans and chefs demonstrate cooking techniques |
| Culture, Sports and Tourism | Displays publications, documents and media products; screens videos promoting heritage, relics, craft villages and Hanoi's tourism and sports achievements |
| Art Exhibition | Displays artworks and photos on the theme "Hanoi Autumn"; hosts colouring and creative workshops for children and visitors |
| Arts and Creativity | A large central stage for the opening and closing ceremonies and traditional and modern performances |
What activities take place across the three days?
Throughout the festival, cultural, sports and tourism activities run continuously. Notable is the programme to visit and experience new tourism products at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, with folk culture exchange, traditional crafts and regional cuisine.
The opening ceremony was initially planned for 19:30-20:30 on 25 September 2026 at the main stage of Thong Nhat Park, with an art programme under the theme "Hanoi Autumn - A Journey of Emotions". The closing ceremony was planned for 27 September 2026, combined with certificates of appreciation for partners. As the festival moved to 16-18 October, these milestones shift accordingly under the organiser's new plan.
Other activities include a mass performance gathering units, localities, artists and businesses; the "Hanoi Autumn Run" companion run combined with a waste collection campaign promoting environmental protection; street art, mini shows, folk games, cultural workshops and creative check-in areas.
Why were the dates adjusted?
The move from 25-27 September to 16-18 October 2026 aims to ensure progress, quality and event requirements while creating a highlight to promote Hanoi's image in autumn. This is an administrative change under Plan No. 56/KH-SVHTT&DL dated 27 August 2026 by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, not a change in theme or space structure. Other content continues under the issued plan.
Is the Hanoi Autumn Festival an annual event?
The festival has been held over several editions, with the 2025 edition drawing visitors thanks to about 150 booths and new experiences. The 2026 edition continues that path, aiming to build the event into a larger annual occasion. Organisers also aim to expand exchange with international organisations and embassies, gradually positioning the festival as a Hanoi autumn tourism brand alongside other cultural events.
Technology and experience highlights
The 2026 festival shows a trend of combining technology with cultural storytelling. The Hanoi Heritage space uses mapping projection to recreate scenic spots; the Tourism and Experience space applies smart tourism maps, QR codes, LED screens and VR/AR. This approach helps visitors engage with heritage visually and interactively, suitable for young visitors and international guests alike.
At the same time, community elements remain: eco-friendly bamboo and wood in the craft village area, waste collection in the run, and workshops for children. The balance between technology and traditional materials is a highlight of this edition's organisation.
