The art performances at the Khánh Hòa Sea Festival 2026 attracted a great number of visitors on July 17. — VNS Photo Hồng Linh

KHÁNH HÒA — The official opening ceremony of Khánh Hòa Sea Festival 2026 at the provincial 2/4 Square on July 17 night offered thousands of visitors art performances from hundreds of Vietnamese and international artists.

Themed "Ocean Colours – Going Global," the festival, held for the 11th time this year, features live music shows, art performances, a parade and fireworks.  

Alongside the festival, 40 cultural, artistic, sporting and tourism activities are also organised from July 10 to August 10, and is expected to attract up to 800,000 domestic and international visitors.

The event is co-organised by the provincial People's Committee, along with relevant parties.

Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân said Việt Nam is a maritime nation, in which the sea holds a particularly important position for socio-economic development, national defence, security and international integration.

Khánh Hòa Province holds values that represent Việt Nam's seas and islands, including a long coastline, many famous and beautiful bays, a rich marine ecosystem, along with numerous relics and heritage sites tied to a long history and distinctive culture.

Visitors immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Khánh Hòa Sea Festival 2026 on July 17. — VNS Photo Hồng Linh

“The development of Khánh Hòa Province today not only creates a driving force for the South Central and Central Highlands regions but also contributes to building Việt Nam into a strong, prosperous and sustainably developing maritime nation,” she added.

Over two decades, the biennial Khánh Hòa Sea Festival has become a cultural, economic and diplomatic event of national significance, honouring and spreading the distinctive values of Việt Nam's sea and island culture, while promoting and boosting the development of tourism, the marine economy and international integration.

According to Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee Chairman Nguyễn Việt Hùng, the province's development relies on the sea and must be in harmony with nature and responsible towards the future.

He added that the festival also helps promote Khánh Hòa's image as a dynamic, friendly and distinctive destination, supporting its goal of becoming a centrally run city by 2030 and an international service, tourism and marine economy hub.

In the first six months of the year, the province welcomed over 11.9 million visitors, including more than 4.6 million international visitors. — VNS