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Nghệ An to Host Sen Village Festival 2026 Commemorating Ho Chi Minh's Birth, Kim Lien Site Designated National Tourist A

Nghệ An to Host Sen Village Festival 2026 Commemorating Ho Chi Minh's Birth, Kim Lien Site Designated National Tourist Area

From Tuổi Trẻ · (8m ago) Vietnamese Positive tone

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nghệ An province will host the 2026 Sen Village Festival to commemorate the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth.
  • The festival will also celebrate the designation of the Kim Lien Relic Site as a National Tourist Area.
  • Nine events, including a flower-offering ceremony and a parade, are scheduled from May 18-30.

Nghệ An province is gearing up to host the vibrant Sen Village Festival in 2026, a significant event that honors the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth and marks the Kim Lien Relic Site's recognition as a National Tourist Area. This annual festival, which began as a singing contest in 1981 and evolved into a provincial and national celebration, draws people from across Vietnam and abroad.

The festival serves as a crucial political and cultural activity, expressing the deep gratitude and respect of the Vietnamese people towards President Ho Chi Minh, a national liberation hero and outstanding cultural figure. It also aims to promote the study and emulation of his ideology, ethics, and style, reinforcing his enduring legacy.

Beyond its commemorative role, the Sen Village Festival is a key driver for promoting the cultural heritage of Sen Village and Nghệ An province. By showcasing the unique cultural and historical landscape, the event seeks to boost sustainable tourism development and create immersive experiences for visitors. This aligns with the province's broader strategy to leverage its rich history and cultural identity for economic growth.

From 1981, the mass cultural movement singing about Uncle Ho, the Fatherland, and the Party was born with the name Sen Village Singing Festival. By 2002, the Sen Village Singing Festival was elevated by Nghệ An province to the Sen Village Festival with a provincial scale (held annually) and a national scale (held once every 5 years) on the occasion of Uncle Ho's birthday.

— Quách Thị CườngDeputy Director of the Nghệ An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, explaining the festival's history and evolution.

This year's festival, running from May 18 to May 30, features nine distinct events. Highlights include ceremonies at President Ho Chi Minh's memorial sites, a parade, and the opening of the festival itself. Additionally, special exhibitions will commemorate significant historical anniversaries, such as 115 years since Ho Chi Minh left to find a path for national salvation and 80 years since his call for nationwide resistance. The event also includes a "Rural Market" experience and displays on the national network of museums and memorial sites dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, alongside the 70th anniversary of the Kim Lien Relic Site's establishment. The inauguration of the "Nine-Tier Waterfall" project within the Kim Lien Cultural Tourist Area adds another attraction.

The Kim Lien Relic Site, recognized as a national key tourist area since 1979, holds immense historical and cultural importance as one of the most significant sites related to President Ho Chi Minh's life and career. The festival's expansion and the site's national recognition underscore Vietnam's commitment to preserving and promoting its revolutionary heritage, offering a unique window into the nation's past and its enduring connection to its founding leader.

This is an important political and cultural activity, demonstrating the people's gratitude and respect towards President Ho Chi Minh - National Liberation Hero, Outstanding Cultural Celebrity.

— Nghệ An Provincial People's CommitteeDescribing the significance of the Sen Village Festival.
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Originally published by Tuổi Trẻ in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.