According to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the annual festival aims to realize Hanoi’s initiatives and commitments to UNESCO as a member of the UN organization's Creative Cities Network.

The festival takes place with the theme of "Flow" to shine the spotlight on the Red River which is considered a vital thread connecting the historical, cultural, and socio-economic values of the capital.

The master plan for Hanoi moving forward to 2045 with a vision ahead to 2065, as approved by the Prime Minister in June, identifies the Red River as a green axis and central landscape for a harmonious urban development along its two banks.

The experience route of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 will underline the connection between the two banks of the river and historic Long Bien Bridge, while also highlighting the "specialties" of culture and history in the districts along the two banks.

The festival will also provide visitors with space to experience innovative arts, including the pedestrian streets around Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword) Lake, Hang Dau water tower, Long Bien railway station, Long Bien bridge, Gia Lam railway station, and Gia Lam train factory.

A photo exhibition on heritage aspects, an exhibition displaying innovative handicrafts, souvenirs, creative architecture arrangement, and art performances will also get underway.

The organisers will hold places for residents and visitors to interact with creative design artworks. Several creative design contests for young people will be organized to encourage them to get involved in the construction of the city space in the future.

The event, held in 2021 for the first time, is hosted by the administration of Hanoi, the Vietnam Association of Architects, the UNESCO Representative Office in Hanoi, and UN Habitat.