Ho Chi Minh City’s 2026 Culture – Tourism Festival kicks off with vibrant activities

Lifestyle

Ho Chi Minh City’s 2026 Culture – Tourism Festival kicks off with vibrant activities
The festival serves as a platform to introduce the city’s potential and strengths, and demonstrate the strong vitality and endless creativity of a dynamic and compassionate metropolis.
A series of marine sports activities such as sailing, flyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and jet surfing along Thuy Van beach showcase the city’s potential in developing its marine economy and high-end tourism services. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City’s 2026 Culture and Tourism Festival officially opened on February 27, featuring a wide range of cultural, artistic and tourism activities aimed at promoting the city’s image and strengths.

The opening ceremony, held in Vung Tau ward, was highlighted by a ceremonial cannon firing that recreated the historic battle at Phuoc Thang Fortress, symbolising a breakthrough spirit and a prosperous new beginning for the city’s tourism sector and socio-economic development. The programme also featured drum performances and lion – dragon dances, inspiring national pride and raising awareness of maritime sovereignty.

Adding to the festive atmosphere was a lighted paragliding performance by the municipal Paragliding and Kite Sports Federation. Five powered aerial vehicles equipped with lights and fireworks created a dazzling display in the skies over Tam Thang Square.

At the same time, a series of marine sports activities such as sailing, flyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and jet surfing along Thuy Van beach showcased the city’s potential in developing its marine economy and high-end tourism services.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy said the festival serves as a platform to introduce the city’s potential and strengths, and demonstrate the strong vitality and endless creativity of a dynamic and compassionate metropolis.

The ceremonial cannon firing at the opening ceremony of Ho Chi Minh City's 2026 Culture and Tourism Festival on February 27 (Photo: VNA)

The event also conveys the message “Preserving identity – Creating opportunities”, affirming the city’s commitment to sustainable development based on traditional cultural values while transforming heritage into a driving force for growth.

In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City aims to further strengthen its tourism brand as an impressive, friendly and safe destination. The festival helps connect well-known landmarks such as the Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market and the Cu Chi Tunnels with coastal destinations including Vung Tau, Ho Tram, Long Hai and Con Dao, as well as major attractions like the Dai Nam Tourist Area and Dau Tieng Lake.

Following the launch, the city will continue to host a series of major cultural events, including the Ao Dai Festival, the “Unified Homeland” Festival marking the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, the International Light Festival, along with brass band and puppet festivals.

By maintaining a vibrant festival calendar after the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday and developing inter-regional tourism routes linking urban, coastal and ecological destinations, the city aims to create memorable experiences for visitors, part of efforts to welcome 11 million international visitors and 50 million domestic travellers this year./.

VNA

# Ho Chi Minh City # culture # tourism

Related News

Foreign diplomats in Ho Chi Minh City join Tet celebrations

With the desire to share the beauty of Tet with international friends, HUFO organised the programme to create opportunities for diplomats working in the city and their families to engage in warm exchanges and build closer ties through Vietnamese traditional cultural activities, leaving them with lasting and memorable impressions of a traditional Vietnamese Tet in a civilised, modern and compassionate city, according to HUFO President Ha Thanh.

Golden opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector to make breakthroughs

Market research reports indicate that Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector still has large room for growth if the special mechanisms under Resolution 98, Resolution 260 and Resolution 62/2025/NQ-HDND on incentives for attracting MICE visitors are effectively implemented. These policies are considered practical, helping enhance competitiveness, service quality and the city’s standing as a destination.

See Also

When Hoi An sheds the crowds

Setting aside its usual bustle, Hoi An at dawn takes on a strangely contemplative and peaceful beauty. At this hour, the World Cultural Heritage Site of Hoi An Ancient Town truly “lives” a life of its own.

Tam Chuc complex in Ninh Binh granted special national relic status

Ninh Binh will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, experts, businesses and local communities to ensure sustainable preservation and restoration of the complex. The province also plans to gradually prepare a nomination dossier for “Tam Chuc Complex – Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve” to seek UNESCO World Heritage recognition.

Hue heritage tourism puts community at the centre

Hue has strong potential to develop its service and tourism sectors thanks to its rich heritage, scenic landscapes and traditional craft villages. The city offers a wide range of tourism products. However, many remain small in scale and lack distinctive appeal. To address this, Hue is working to strengthen the role of local communities, making residents the true custodians of heritage.

Thi Cam villagers hold traditional rice cooking contest

The rice cooking competition of Thi Cam village (Xuan Phuong ward, Hanoi), recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, is not only a test of skill and dexterity but also a symbol of community spirit, solidarity and gratitude to ancestors.

Tran Quoc pagoda in Hanoi draws crowds in early spring

Tran Quoc pagoda is widely regarded as the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, with a history spanning more than 1,500 years. Long considered a sacred site, it draws large numbers of residents and visitors each spring who come to pay homage, pray for peace and blessings, and admire the poetic scenery surrounding the ancient sanctuary.

Spring Stories book tells Vietnamese flavour

As spring arrives, many people seek to slow down and return to enduring values - the customs, traditions, arts and stories that shape the soul of the nation. The Spring Stories book was compiled by a group of authors to take readers on a gentle yet profound journey through Vietnamese culture.

Bauhinia blossoms paint Dien Bien province in spring hues

From mid-February, ban (bauhinia) flowers – a signature blossom of Vietnam’s northwestern mountains – come into full bloom along streets, in parks, and throughout residential areas in Dien Bien Phu ward, Dien Bien province. Their pristine white petals not only signal the arrival of spring in the mountain town but also create a romantic setting that attracts both residents and visitors.

Thai Nguyen’s above-the-clouds sunrise hotspot

Perched more than 1,000 metres above sea level, Don Den in Ba Be commune, Thai Nguyen province, is fast becoming a magnet for nature lovers and cloud chasers. Though still a newly emerging destination without professional tourism services, the site continues to attract large numbers of visitors thanks to its pristine landscapes and peaceful charm.