Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An (Da Nang) and Ho Chi Minh City Join the Global “Momentum” Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland
From 7 to 10 August 2025, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An (Da Nang) and Ho Chi Minh City sent Vietnamese representatives to participate in Momentum 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland, following an invitation from the British Council. Bringing together cultural leaders and artists, the programme highlighted the growing role of Vietnamese cities in international exchange and their engagement within the global creative city network.
Vietnamese and international delegates at Momentum 2025. Photo: British Council Vietnam
Momentum 2025 is a collaborative initiative by the British Council, Creative Scotland, and Festivals Edinburgh, aimed at strengthening global cultural exchange and supporting the development of creative cities. In 2025, Vietnam participates for the third time, underscoring the participating cities’ shared commitment to building creative ecosystems rooted in culture.
Representatives from Vietnam and international delegates at Momentum 2025. Photo: British Council Vietnam
The programme was designed to connect international festival organisers with Scotland’s creative networks, taking place during Edinburgh’s peak festival season. It offered delegates insights into professional festival operations, from adaptive reuse of heritage and industrial spaces for community purposes to collaborative models involving government, businesses and civil society. Notable examples included a traditional printmaking centre converted from an old printing workshop and leased at a symbolic cost, as well as the Hidden Festival, operated by young volunteers in a 15-hectare former factory site. Together, these initiatives illustrate how Edinburgh has shaped its identity as a global “Festival City,” attracting millions of visitors while preserving its distinctive cultural character.
Programme delegates visit and learn from showcased models. Photo: British Council Vietnam
In Edinburgh called the “world’s festival capital”, Vietnamese delegates immersed themselves fully in a vibrant artistic atmosphere shaped by six international festivals taking place simultaneously, most notably the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival. During the visit, the delegation explored a wide range of creative organizational models, met with respected artists and cultural institutions to exchange ideas, and experienced performances firsthand from the Fringe’s bold, experimental works to the flagship productions of the Edinburgh International Festival.