Cultural and creative highlights draw crowds to Vietnam’s 80-year journey exhibition

THE HANOI TIMES — The landmark exhibition “ 80-Year Journey of Independence, Freedom and Happiness” taking place at the newly-inaugurated Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh Commune, Hanoi, has attracted an astonishing number of visitors: seven million people in just ten days.

For the first time, an exhibition primarily designed to serve a political mission as part of the grand celebration of Vietnam’s 80th National Day, has emerged as a must-visit cultural destination, offering a fresh and engaging experience for both residents and tourists in Hanoi.

Magnificent and memorable

Covering nearly 260,000 square meters with over 230 booths, the exhibition charts Vietnam’s progress across technology, agriculture, economy, defense, education, culture, digital transformation, aviation and more.

Exploring the full space takes about six hours, yet visitors like Vo Thi Thu Hang from Thai Nguyen Province and her group of 13 relatives and friends stayed eager to see even more.

“We tried to visit as many booths as possible, until the exhibition closed. If we can’t see everything, we’ll stay another night at a nearby hotel and continue our journey tomorrow,” she told The Hanoi Times.

I found the exhibition so fascinating that anyone can find something they’re interested in here".

The exhibition is divided into indoor and outdoor zones, with the central indoor space, the Kim Quy (Golden Turtle) exhibition building, is designed in a circular shape inspired by the turtle shell from the legend of King Le returning the precious sword to the Kim Quy.

This building features three concentric circles, including the outermost circle presents displays from provinces, cities, ministries, and sectors; the middle circle showcases major corporations, banks, and technology giants; and the innermost circle is dedicated to an exhibition on Hanoi's communication efforts to mark 95 years of the Party.

Meanwhile, the outdoor exhibition areas in the west, south, and east yards carry the theme “Integration and Development.” Visitors are introduced to green and digital transformation initiatives, the defense-security industry through the “Sword and Shield” space, the aviation and aerospace sector under the theme “Aspiration For The Sky”, and other vivid displays that capture Vietnam’s rapid modernization and global ambitions.

Funky Hanoi Creative Pavilion

Among many exhibition spaces, the Hanoi Pavilion stands out with the theme “Hanoi Traditional and Creative Space 2025”. Through six main exhibition areas, it offers visitors a comprehensive picture of Hanoi’s development journey from the past to the present and into the future.

“Net son Ha Noi” (The Landmarks of Hanoi) showcases unique handicraft products such as ceramics, lacquerware, mother-of-pearl inlay, and bamboo and rattan weaving. “Tinh hoa pho nghe” (The Quintessence of Craft Streets) introduces Hanoi’s renowned craft villages, with artisans giving live demonstrations and sharing the stories behind their crafts.

“Cong nghe tien phong” (Pioneer in Technology) presents high-tech products and smart solutions in artificial intelligence and digital transformation aimed at modern urban living. “Mon qua Ha Noi” (Hanoi Specialities) invites visitors to discover the city’s iconic culinary flavors, including Com Lang Vong (Vong Village’s young sticky rice), pork pastes from Uoc Le Village, and Bach Diep lotus tea from West Lake.

Nguyen Lan Anh, a Vietnamese expatriate in Germany, was thrilled to reconnect with the capital’s time-honored cuisine.

“Famous specialties of Hanoi, which after 20 years I have the opportunity to enjoy again such as Com Lang Vong, Bach Diep lotus, are the memories and the soul of the thousand-year-old capital,” she said.

Meanwhile, “Mach Nguon Van Hien” (Source of Culture) recreates traditional cultural experiences like calligraphy, conical hat making, and molding to he (figurines). Historical and cultural symbols such as Saint Giong, Quan Chuong Gate, and Dong Xuan Market are also featured, evoking deep national pride.

Finally, “Lang Trong Pho” (Village in the City) brings to life a traditional Northern village in the heart of modern Hanoi, complete with a communal house courtyard, moss-covered tile roofs, bonsai trees, and spaces for folk performances such as cheo, ca tru, tuong, and ao dai shows.

According to a representative from the Hanoi People’s Committee, the pavilion reflects a city that harmoniously blends its deep-rooted traditions with creativity and innovation. With a harmonious combination, Hanoi Traditional and Creative Space 2025 depicts the image of a Hanoi that both preserves tradition and aspires to innovation, ready for international integration.

Creative experiences in touch with public sentiment

Following the opening ceremony, the exhibition welcomed domestic and international high-ranking delegations. More importantly, it has resonated with a broad audience, who are locals from all parts of the country, overseas Vietnamese, and foreign tourists of different age and background.

Veterans reminisced about past battles, elderly visitors reflected on challenging years and national resilience, while students and young professionals discovered fresh inspiration to contribute to their country’s future. Many families, including those with three generations, visited together, with some returning multiple times to experience all the booths.

Nguyen Mai Phuong from Cau Giay Ward, Hanoi, said: “We spent 15 hours to see the exhibition. My parents walked 25,000 steps to explore the past, present and future journey of our country. The more we saw, the more proud and excited we felt. Those were unforgettable moments for each family member.”

The exhibition has also sparked a lively social trend among the youth. Checking in at exhibition landmarks, collecting themed souvenirs, and enthusiastically sharing newly acquired knowledge have become popular, especially among students.

To accommodate the record number of visitors, the organizers, in collaboration with the Hanoi government, offer 20 bus routes with 68 buses making 850 trips per day, two internal electric shuttle services, a food court with over 100 outdoor stalls and many indoor options, a digital map (Digimap) system, and 925 restrooms- ensuring a safe, comfortable, and civilized experience for all.

The exhibition stands as a compelling testament to the power of creative storytelling in bringing history to life. When national milestones are presented in ways that evoke emotion and curiosity, they can unite generations, strengthen cultural identity, and inspire collective pride.

The 80-year Journey of Independence – Freedom – Happiness Exhibition not only honors Vietnam’s historic path but also reignites the national aspirations. It is a vivid illustration of the strength of community connection, a journey of memories and hopes where every Vietnamese person can find pride and responsibility in continuing the story of the nation.