More than a major cultural - historical event, the Hoa Lu Festival is also an occasion for people and visitors from all directions to commemorate and express gratitude to the former emperors and ancestors for their great contributions to nation -building and defense. Through this, the festival helps inspire patriotism, strengthen national unity, and nurture pride among Vietnamese people.
This year’s festival is meticulously organized, harmoniously combining solemn rituals with vibrant festive activities, creating a unique cultural space rich in the identity of the ancient capital. Traditional ceremonies such as the Temple Opening Ceremony, Water Procession, Ritual Bathing Ceremony (Moc Duc), Incense Offering, Tribute Offering, Palanquin Procession, Cuu Khuc Ritual, and Thanksgiving Ceremony will be conducted in accordance with ancient rites at the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le. Prior to that, the Ceremony for National Peace and Prosperity and the Lantern Festival will take place on April 21, 2026 (the 5th day of the third lunar month), contributing to a sacred atmosphere and marking the beginning of the festival season.
A highlight of Hoa Lu Festival 2026 is the opening ceremony, scheduled at 8:00 PM on April 25, 2026 at Dinh Tien Hoang Emperor Square, to be broadcast live. The program is elaborately staged, featuring the ceremonial opening drum ritual along with special artistic performances that recreate the heroic spirit of the nation’s history, promising audiences an emotional and memorable experience.
Alongside the ceremonial part, the festive section will feature a lively series of cultural, sports, and folk activities such as chèo performances, water puppetry, community art exchanges, and traditional games including human chess, cockfighting, archery, crossbow shooting, to tom diem, stilt walking, and boat racing. Notably, competitions such as “Reed - Flag Military Drill,” forming the word “Thai Binh,” five - fruit tray offerings to the King, and calligraphy contests not only recreate history but also revive the martial spirit and heroic pride of the Vietnamese people.
The festival space is further expanded with various exhibitions and displays of great cultural value, including the art photo exhibition “Scenic Ninh Binh,” showcases of artifacts related to the Hoa Lu Capital and the Dai Co Viet State, and the promotion of handicrafts and typical OCOP products. This offers visitors a deeper insight into the culture, people, and tourism potential of the ancient capital region.
With thorough and synchronized preparation, and a commitment to a solemn, safe, and civilized organization, Hoa Lu Festival 2026 is expected to become a prominent highlight among the nation’s cultural events. Beyond preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage values, the festival also serves as a bridge bringing the image of Ninh Binh - a destination of heritage, nature, and culture - closer to both domestic and international visitors.
Hoa Lu Festival - where the sacred essence of mountains and rivers converges, where the heroic spirit of a thousand years echoes - continues to affirm the enduring vitality of national traditions while opening new opportunities for Ninh Binh to rise strongly on the tourism map of Vietnam and the world.