Hoa Lu Festival 2026

The Hoa Lu Festival in 2026 will take place from April 25th to 27th, 2026 (corresponding to the 9th–11th day of the 3rd lunar month of the Year of the Horse) at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital National Special Historical Site and several locations within Hoa Lu ward. The Ceremony for National Peace and Prosperity and the Lantern Festival will be held on April 21st, 2026; the Temple Opening Ceremony will take place on the morning of April 24th, 2026.

The festival is organized to commemorate and express gratitude for the immense contributions of the emperors and ancestors in the cause of nation-building and national defense; to awaken the tradition of patriotism and national pride; and to strengthen the great national unity in the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland.

Through its diverse activities, the festival continues to affirm and promote the value of the Hoa Lu Festival, a national intangible cultural heritage; while also promoting the potential, socio-economic strengths, and image of the land and people of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh to domestic and international tourists.

The ceremonial part includes traditional rituals such as: the temple opening ceremony, the water procession ceremony, the bathing ceremony, the incense offering ceremony, the offering ceremony, the procession of palanquins from relics related to the Dinh and Early Le dynasties; the Nine-Curve Sacrifice; the traditional sacrificial ceremony; the prayer for national peace and prosperity; and the thanksgiving ceremony.

The opening ceremony of the festival will take place at 8 PM on April 25, 2026, at Dinh Tien Hoang Emperor Square (Hoa Lu Ward), and will be broadcast live on the provincial radio and television channels. The program is expected to include: a statement of purpose and introduction of delegates; an opening speech by provincial leaders; the opening drum ceremony; and an elaborately staged and spectacular welcoming art program.

The Organizing Committee will invite leaders of the Party and State; leaders of central ministries and agencies; representatives from several provinces and cities; embassies and international localities that have cooperative relations with Ninh Binh; as well as a large number of delegates, people, and tourists from all over the country to attend.

Besides the ceremonial part, there is also a festive part with many traditional and modern cultural, artistic, and sporting activities such as: folk art exchanges, Cheo performances, water puppetry, film screenings; folk games (human chess, cockfighting, card games, archery, crossbow shooting, stilt walking, boat racing); volleyball exchanges; the 2026 National Traditional Wrestling Championship; and the 3rd "Spring Martial Arts" program.

In addition, there are unique competitions: a competition and display of fruit platters offered to the King; a competition to pull the words "Thai Binh" (Peace and Prosperity); a competition to reenact the "Flag-waving military exercise"; a calligraphy competition; and a skillful boat rowing competition.

The exhibition space at the festival area will showcase images and artifacts about the Hoa Lu capital and the Dai Co Viet state; promote the value of the archaeological site; exhibit art photography "Ninh Binh Landscape"; display ornamental plants; introduce handicrafts, OCOP products, and typical goods and services of the province; and organize a mobile job fair.