Convergence and dissemination of excellence

BAC NINH - In the last days of March, the "Returning to the Heritage Region of Bac Ninh - 2026" Festival took place vibrantly with a series of unique and attractive cultural, sports, and tourism activities. Not only did the Festival honor UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, but it also opened up a space for the convergence, exchange, and dissemination of the cultural essence of various regions.

A harmonious blend of heritage regions

The festival space was vibrant with cultural colors, bringing together art troupes and artisans from many regions across the country. At the Provincial Cultural and Exhibition Center, the fair area showcasing handicrafts, OCOP products, and cuisine was bustling with hundreds of stalls. From exquisite traditional products to flavorful local dishes, everything contributed to a vivid picture of the cultural and economic life of the localities. Particularly noteworthy was the exhibition area of ​​Thai Hai cultural and ecological village (Tan Cuong commune, Thai Nguyen province), one of the best tourist villages in the world, showcasing the unique culture of the Tay ethnic community. Visitors enjoyed immersing themselves in the traditional living space, witnessing three generations of Tay people singing Then songs and playing the Tinh instrument with great enthusiasm. Handicrafts such as the "con" fruit, five-colored bracelets, traditional medicine, "khao" cakes, and "che lam" tea were displayed, reflecting the rich local cultural identity. Artisan Ha Thi Lan Anh shared: “We are very happy to introduce to a large number of tourists the distinctive cultural features of our ethnic group, including community tourism products, rattan and bamboo weaving, cuisine, and traditional herbal remedies. This is also an opportunity for us to learn and broaden our understanding of the cultures of other localities and regions.”

Showcasing the heritage of Thai Hai cultural and ecological village within the framework of the Bac Ninh Festival.

Within the framework of the Festival, the program showcasing intangible cultural heritage, along with the "Journey of Colors of Intangible Cultural Heritage Representing Different Regions," became a highlight, attracting a large number of people and tourists from all over to enjoy and experience it. The melodies of Phu Tho Xoan singing, Hue Royal Court Music, Southern folk music, and the gongs of the Central Highlands... blended together into a colorful "symphony" of heritage. Each performance was a cultural slice, carrying the essence of each region, creating a harmonious and vibrant interplay.

With over 30 unique cultural, sports, and tourism activities taking place from March 23rd to April 1st in various locations, the "Returning to the Heritage Region of Bac Ninh - 2026" Festival is an opportunity to honor heritage and promote the image and people of Bac Ninh. Beyond the scope of a mere event, the Festival has become a space for connecting, disseminating, and awakening the potential of heritage in contemporary life.

The festival is also vibrant with unique cultural experiences. An exhibition of Vietnamese folk paintings is held in Dong Ho painting village, where more than 100 works from the Dong Ho, Hang Trong, Kim Hoang, and Lang Sinh painting styles are displayed in a space steeped in tradition. Images of artisans diligently carving woodblocks, printing paintings, and mixing colors vividly recreate an "old painting market," evoking the atmosphere of the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday. Each painting is not only a handcrafted product but also contains a cultural story and memories of the countryside. When visitors directly experience the painting process, their love for heritage is naturally and deeply instilled.

It can be said that the highlight of this space is the intermingling and connection of heritage – where each region brings its own unique color, blending together to create a special appeal for the Festival. Mr. Nguyen Manh Tuong (Hai Phong) shared: “Coming to the Bac Ninh Heritage Festival - 2026, we were truly impressed to be immersed in the diverse cultural space of many regions. From the spectacular performances and rich cuisine to the exquisite handicrafts… everything brought a feeling of closeness, vibrancy, and memorableness.”

The unique identity of Kinh Bac shines through.

Within the vibrant tapestry of regional heritage, the most profound and distinctive aspect of the Festival is the Kinh Bac cultural space – where traditional values ​​are preserved, disseminated, and truly "live" in community life. Dong Ho folk paintings continue to be a highlight with rich depth in the exhibition space. Many visitors enjoyed the opportunity to personally print paintings on traditional paper, experiencing the natural colors from seashells and leaves, thereby gaining a better understanding of the meticulousness and craftsmanship of this traditional craft. Beyond the exhibition, the performances and experiential activities helped the public get closer to the cultural and historical values ​​hidden within each painting. At the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Center, the paintings on historical and resistance themes offered a fresh perspective, showing that Dong Ho paintings, besides reflecting the daily life of the people, also reflect patriotism and the aspiration for independence throughout different periods. Artist Nguyen Huu Hoa shared: “Each painting tells a story, a message passed down from our ancestors. We hope that through the Festival, this heritage will become closer to the public, especially the younger generation.”

A spectacular cultural performance at the UNESCO Certificate Award Ceremony; opening of the "Returning to the Heritage Region of Bac Ninh - 2026" Festival.

In addition, exhibitions such as "The Quintessence of Bac Ninh's Cultural Heritage," antique exhibitions, and ornamental plant displays have contributed to recreating a traditional Kinh Bac space, where the past and present meet in each artifact and document. The province's museums and libraries display and introduce valuable artifacts, images, and documents about the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son complex of historical sites and scenic spots, Kiet Bac, the Dong Ho painting craft, the Quan Ho folk songs of Bac Ninh, and other typical heritage sites recognized by UNESCO.

The provincial-level Quan Ho folk song competition, held at the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theater, brought together hundreds of artisans, male and female singers from various Quan Ho villages. The melodious and heartfelt songs resonated throughout the spring festival, captivating listeners and evoking pride in the UNESCO-recognized heritage. The festival atmosphere was further enlivened by community cultural activities and folk games in public spaces and residential areas. At 3/2 Square (Bac Giang Ward) and Ngo Gia Tu night street (Kinh Bac Ward), numerous street art programs, folk dances, bamboo pole dancing, water puppetry, and folk songs took place vibrantly. Games such as tug-of-war, pot smashing, catching eels in jars, stilt walking, O An Quan (a traditional board game), and sack racing attracted large crowds of locals and tourists. All of this created a warm and welcoming festival atmosphere, fostering community cohesion, where everyone could immerse themselves in the rhythm of traditional culture. Within the framework of the Festival, there are also traditional festivals with strong cultural identity, most notably the Queen Mother Temple Festival (Diem village). This is an opportunity for visitors to return to the birthplace of the ancestral Quan Ho folk music, explore the space of an ancient Vietnamese village with relics such as Diem communal house, Cung temple, Ngoc well, Hung Son pagoda…

Young people participate in the traditional folk game of bamboo pole jumping at 3/2 Square.

With over 30 unique cultural, sports, and tourism activities taking place from March 23rd to April 1st in various locations, the "Returning to the Heritage Region of Bac Ninh - 2026" Festival is an opportunity to honor heritage and promote the image and people of Bac Ninh. Beyond the scope of a mere event, the Festival has become a space for connecting, spreading, and awakening the potential of heritage in contemporary life. Many special activities are still ongoing. From March 30th to April 1st (corresponding to the 12th-14th days of the second lunar month), the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda festival, with its many rituals such as offering incense to commemorate the Truc Lam Three Patriarchs, praying for national peace and prosperity, Buddha procession, and chanting prayers for peace, will offer a profound spiritual and cultural experience.

According to Mr. Trinh Huu Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Festival not only aims to honor heritage but also to transform heritage into a resource for development, linked to tourism, education, and community life. Through this, Bac Ninh affirms its position as a land of rich cultural heritage and identity, while demonstrating its determination to preserve and promote heritage in conjunction with sustainable socio-economic development.

Vi Le Thanh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/hoi-tu-va-lan-toa-tinh-hoa-postid442176.bbg