Representatives from Điện Biên Province attend the press conference in Hà Nội. Photo nhandan.vn

HÀ NỘI — The 2026 International Folk Song and Dance Festival will take place in Điện Biên Province from August 28 to September 2 under the theme 'Connecting Cultures – Spreading Peace – Advancing Global Integration'.

It will take place at May 7 Square in Điện Biên Phủ Ward and feature a wide range of activities, including exchanges, folk song and dance performances, traditional costume shows, cultural and culinary fairs, exhibitions of regional specialties and interactive cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike.

"The festival is designed to become a platform for international cultural exchange, honouring the unique values of ethnic communities and strengthening friendship between Việt Nam and people around the world," said Trần Hải Hà, Director of the Điện Biên Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, at a recent press conference in Hà Nội.

"The decision to launch the festival in Điện Biên carries profound significance, linking the event to the region's rich historical and cultural heritage. The land, which bears the historic legacy of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, has become a symbol of peace, friendship and aspirations for development."

The organisers hope that the songs, dances and cultural colours presented by participating art troupes will showcase different ethnic groups and promote the image of Điện Biên to a wider domestic and international audience.

The climax of the festival will be a hot-air balloon performance. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of Điện Biên from above and discover the beauty of the northwestern mountainous landscape from a new perspective.

On National Day (September 2), the organisers plan to launch a hot-air balloon in the colours of the Vietnamese national flag. The image of the red flag with a yellow star soaring over the skies of Điện Biên is expected to become a signature moment of the festival, reflecting patriotism, national pride and the aspiration for peace that the event seeks to promote.

At the press conference, Lò Văn Cường, Standing Vice Chairman of the Điện Biên Provincial People’s Committee, said the festival would provide an opportunity to promote the image of Việt Nam and its people, as well as Điện Biên, while boosting tourism development and expanding international cooperation.

Throughout the festival, visitors will have more opportunities to explore local cultural identities, experiment with regional specialities and take part in a variety of activities associated with the culture of ethnic communities.

Each ethnic group will share its own stories, adding vibrant colours to the diverse culture of Việt Nam and the world. The event is expected to serve as a platform for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening friendship among nations through the universal language of culture.

As part of the press conference, the organising committee launched a logo design competition for the festival. The competition will accept entries from July 22 to August 15, seeking a logo that captures Vietnamese cultural identity, the spirit of international exchange and the festival’s message of peace.

With its international reach, the event is set to create a unique cultural product that helps promote Việt Nam’s image, stimulate tourism and leverage cultural resources for socio-economic development. — VNS