Performers stage a vibrant art programme at the Sen Village Festival, celebrating President Hồ Chí Minh through music and dance inspired by lotus symbolism. Photo congly.vn

NGHỆ AN — Authorities in Nghệ An have announced the Sen Village Festival 2026, a major cultural event marking the 136th birth anniversary of President Hồ Chí Minh (May 19, 1890–2026) alongside the official recognition of the Kim Liên Special National Relic Site as a national tourism area.

Speaking at a press conference on May 5, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Quách Thị Cường said the festival traces its roots back to 1981, when a grassroots singing movement dedicated to President Hồ Chí Minh, the nation and the Party was launched under the name Sen Village Singing Festival.

In 2002, the event was elevated to the Sen Village Festival, held annually at provincial level and every five years at national level, coinciding with the late leader’s birthday.

Over the decades, the festival has grown into a meaningful cultural gathering, attracting locals, overseas Vietnamese and international visitors alike. It serves as a tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh, a national liberation hero and outstanding cultural figure, while reinforcing collective pride and remembrance.

A large-scale performance featuring traditional costumes and national symbols highlights the festival’s role in honouring heritage and promoting cultural tourism in Nghệ An. Photo congly.vn

Beyond its commemorative value, the festival also plays an important role in promoting education on Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology, morality and lifestyle while showcasing the cultural identity of his hometown to a wider audience.

Scheduled to take place from May 18 to 30, this year’s festival will feature nine key activities. Highlights include incense and flower offering ceremonies at the Kim Liên Relic Site and Chung Sơn Temple, a procession of the President’s portrait and an opening ceremony combined with the announcement of Kim Liên’s national tourism status.

A series of exhibitions will also be held, including themes marking the 115th anniversary of Hồ Chí Minh’s departure to seek a path for national salvation, displays on museums and memorial sites dedicated to the leader nationwide and a showcase commemorating 80 years since his call for national resistance.

Officials at a press conference in Nghệ An announce plans for the Sen Village Festival 2026, outlining a series of cultural and tourism activities. Photo baovanhoa.vn

In addition, a recreated rural market space will offer visitors immersive cultural experiences while ceremonies celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Kim Liên Relic Site and the inauguration of new tourism projects, including the Nine-Tier Waterfall in Kim Liên Commune, are expected to enrich the visitor experience.

With its diverse programme and growing scale, the Sen Village Festival 2026 is expected to further cement its position as a key cultural and political event in Nghệ An while contributing to sustainable tourism development rooted in the rich historical and cultural values of President Hồ Chí Minh’s homeland.

The event also aligns with the Government’s Resolution No. 80/NQ-CP on developing culture into an endogenous strength and driving force for sustainable national development. It underscores ongoing efforts to harness cultural heritage as a resource for tourism growth while preserving and promoting national identity in the process. — VNS