Brickfest 4 in Hanoi: Celebrating creativity for Lego

Brickfest 4, an annual event organized by the We Love Lego community, took place on February 16 at Le Quy Don Primary School, Hanoi.

An eye-catcher at the event: A 4-meter-wide Vietnamese flag made entirely of Legos. Photos: Hoang Nam/The Hanoi Times

Brickfest 4 was an exhibition of unique Lego creations and a platform to foster intergenerational connections. The event welcomed long-time Lego enthusiasts as well as young children exploring their interests. A key feature was the structured play area, where more than 100 kg of Lego bricks were made available for participants to build and engage in hands-on creativity, encouraging both skill development and imagination.

Lego is a fun way for kids to unleash their creativity.

The event also provided a rare opportunity to meet Dang Huy Hoang, one of the earliest members of We Love Lego and now a senior designer at LEGO globally. The creator of the famous Retro Radio Lego set, Hoang played an integral role in shaping this year's theme "Vietnam Reaching Out to the World."

Many passionate community members had the opportunity to ask him insightful questions about the intricacies of the profession and the creative process behind Lego designs.

An overview of the lively play area at Brickfest 4.

A major highlight of the event was the My Own Creation (MOC) exhibition, which featured intricate models celebrating Vietnamese culture. These included representations of the national flag, Khue Van Pavilion, Long Bien Bridge, and Vietnam Water Puppet Theater, as well as characters inspired by folklore. Particularly outstanding was the award-winning creation "Nguoi Chien Si" (The Soldier) by Hung Nguyen. Inspired by revolutionary war propaganda posters, this piece profoundly captured the essence of patriotism, resilience, and national pride, earning widespread admiration from the audience.

The competition entries: The Vietnamese flag and "The Soldier."

A stunning Lego replica of the iconic Khue Van Pavilion.

Lego depiction of Vietnam’s traditional water puppetry.

In addition to the exhibits, Brickfest 4 offers a number of engaging activities, such as creative games with prizes, raffles throughout the program, and the MOC competition awards ceremony. Notably, this year's event introduces a Kahoot quiz session, allowing attendees to test their knowledge and gain insight into Lego's history and evolution.

Dang Huy Hoang, Senior Designer at LEGO, strikes a pose with fellow LEGO enthusiasts.

"This is the biggest annual event of our community, which has been organizing events since 2012. Our goal is not only to share our passion, but also to connect generations whose childhoods are tied to Lego. Each creation on display carries memories and nostalgia, helping us to appreciate the value of creativity," said Chu Hong Duc, founder of We Love Lego. 

Le Quy Don Primary School supported the event by providing the venue and creating a fun, engaging space for children. We Love LEGO Founder, Chu Hong Duc (left), takes a commemorative photo with Principal Ta Nhu Viet.

Hoang Tuan Long, Communications Lead of We Love Lego, highlighted the challenges of running a non-commercial event: "Everything comes from shared passion and love, but because it's non-commercial, the organizational efforts are limited. However, we do our best to create a positive space that encourages creativity in young minds and inspires future generations. I hope that future generations will have more opportunities to access and experience Lego in innovative ways."

Hoang Tuan Long (left), Communications Lead of We Love Lego.

Brickfest 4 not only appeals to adults, but also brings great joy to children. Thai Hoang, a secondary school student, shared: "I love this event so much! Seeing so many impressive and creative collections makes me want to start my own Lego collection at home!"

A showcase of historical Lego collections.

Duc Nguyen, a parent who attended the event, expressed his emotions: "I feel like I'm reliving my youth. Back then, I dreamed of owning such Lego sets, and now I can admire them with my son. This is a meaningful experience.

Organizers also emphasized that Brickfest 4 is not only about connecting with the community, but a strategic step to reach out to the global Lego brand. "We hope that through events like this, the Lego company will pay more attention to the Vietnamese market and create special innovations tailored for local players," said a representative from the organizing committee.

Although the event is held in Hanoi, many members from other regions regret not being able to attend due to distance. However, as the community continues to grow, events like Brickfest are expected to reach more Lego fans across Vietnam in the future.