Hanoi Recognises 46 More Cultural and Creative Spaces in 2026

On the afternoon of 8 November, Hanoi announced and presented certificates of recognition to 46 new cultural and creative spaces joining the Hanoi Cultural and Creative Spaces Network. The latest additions expand a network that previously comprised 82 members, reflecting how the capital’s creative spaces are extending beyond the city centre to embrace models rooted in traditional craft villages, indigenous culture, education and community-based tourism.

The ceremony was organised by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism at Lung Trang, an eco-tourism and cultural creativity space celebrating Muong heritage, in Yen Binh 1 Hamlet, Yen Xuan Commune.

According to the organisers, the 46 new spaces were selected following a process of applications, site surveys, assessments and reviews conducted throughout 2026.

The new members represent a wide range of fields and operational models, from art, design, architecture and traditional crafts to creative education, cultural tourism and community-based initiatives.

The certification not only recognises the activities of individual organisations but also brings these spaces into a shared network, enabling members to exchange information, resources and experience while developing new collaborative projects.

Building on a Network of 82 Creative Spaces

The Hanoi Cultural and Creative Spaces Network was officially launched in December 2025.

At that time, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports announced and certified 82 spaces that met the criteria established for classifying and evaluating organisations seeking to join the network.

Its members ranged from studios, galleries and independent art spaces to creative complexes, educational institutions, craft village spaces and community cultural initiatives.

In May 2026, Hanoi introduced the digital map “Cua O Sang Tao” (Creative Gateways), bringing these spaces together on a common platform where the public can explore locations, activities and events. The city also opened a new round of membership applications for 2026.

The addition of 46 members on 8 November marks the next stage in this process.

The network is therefore evolving beyond a directory of creative addresses, expanding both the range of activities it encompasses and its geographical reach.

Creative Spaces Expand Beyond the City Centre

Notably, this year’s certification ceremony took place in Yen Xuan rather than at a venue in central Hanoi.

Lung Trang combines eco-tourism with creative activities rooted in Muong culture. The choice of this venue reflects, to some extent, a changing understanding of what constitutes a creative space in Hanoi.

In the early years, the concept of a creative space was generally associated with galleries, studios, cultural complexes and art venues in the inner city. Today, the network is expanding into areas with very different cultural resources, including traditional craft villages, natural landscapes, indigenous knowledge and local cultural communities.

This shift has become increasingly evident throughout 2026.

In Yen Xuan, Doai To The West and Xom Doai have been experimenting with artistic projects drawing on reused materials, traditional craftsmanship and local culture.

In Son Dong, Chuyen My, Bat Trang and other craft villages, activities involving design, education, experiential tourism and university partnerships are gradually giving rise to creative models beyond the urban core.

Including such initiatives allows the network to better reflect the diversity of Hanoi’s cultural resources.

From Recognised Locations to Collaborative Activities

During 2026, the network has also begun generating more tangible outcomes.

According to information released by the city, creative spaces have established connections with 11 universities. Approximately 400 student works have been introduced into commercial spaces, while nearly 200 students and lecturers have worked directly in five craft villages through creative programmes.

The “Ket Duyen Sang Tao 2026” (Creative Connections 2026) programme has also selected ten projects for product development support. Each project is eligible for funding of up to VND 50 million and opportunities to work with artisans and professional mentors to refine prototype products.

These initiatives demonstrate how the network’s objectives are shifting from identifying creative spaces towards generating collaboration, developing products and creating shared outcomes.

With 46 new members, the next challenge is not simply to increase the number of participating venues.

More importantly, it is to ensure that these diverse spaces — from inner-city art studios to cultural tourism facilities on the outskirts — can establish meaningful connections, share resources and participate collectively in the city’s programmes.

Building Infrastructure for a Creative City

Hanoi joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2019 as a City of Design. Since then, the city has gradually shifted its focus from individual events towards building a creative ecosystem capable of operating throughout the year.

When the initial network of 82 spaces was launched in late 2025, UNESCO representatives in Vietnam also emphasised that moving from a festival-based approach to a broader creative ecosystem would create more sustainable opportunities for designers, artists, businesses, students and communities.

The recognition of another 46 spaces in 2026 represents a further step towards realising this vision.

If the new members can be effectively connected with the digital map, universities, businesses, artisans, municipal support programmes and joint activities, the network could become an important layer of enabling infrastructure for Hanoi’s cultural industries.

The ceremony on 8 November also forms part of the activities supporting the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026, but its significance extends well beyond the Festival itself.

Each recognised space will only generate lasting value if it continues to organise activities, build communities and develop new products or projects after the certificates have been presented.

Sources

• Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, information on the announcement and certification ceremony for cultural and creative spaces in 2026, 8 November 2026.
• Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, “Announcement of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026 and Launch of the Hanoi Creative Spaces Network”, December 2025.
• Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, “Hanoi Unveils Digital Map of Its Cultural and Creative Spaces Network”, 29 May 2026.
• Hanoi Creative City: https://hanoicreativecity.com/ha-noi-cong-nhan-them-46-khong-gian-van-hoa-sang-tao-nam-2026/