Western tourists wade into rice fields to plant rice alongside farmers.

Excited to plant rice, irrigate fields, and light straw fires to cook rice, many international tourists had unforgettable experiences immersing themselves in the 'Hoi An Dong 2026 Rice Planting Festival', which kicked off a series of cultural and tourism events in Da Nang City.

Today, January 4th, the "Hoi An Dong 2026 Rice Planting Festival" officially opened in the An My vegetable village (Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City), attracting a large number of local people and domestic and international tourists.

The festival is not only a traditional ritual of the rice- farming community, but also becomes an open cultural space where visitors can directly "be farmers" amidst the rice paddies of the countryside.

Western tourists enthusiastically wade into rice paddies to plant rice.

PHOTO: KHANH CHI

In the bustling atmosphere of the New Year, the elders and farmers of Hoi An Dong solemnly performed rituals to worship the God of Agriculture and the Village Guardian God, praying for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. These sacred rituals contribute to preserving and promoting the intangible cultural values ​​of Vietnamese wet rice farming.

Immediately after the ceremony, the An My rice fields came alive as international tourists rolled up their trousers, waded into the fields, planted rice, plowed the land, irrigated the fields, caught fish with nets, picked vegetables, and even joined the locals in lighting straw fires to cook rice and boil potatoes. Many tourists expressed their delight at these simple, authentic experiences that are rarely found elsewhere.

The festival is a delightful experience for many visitors.

PHOTO: KHANH CHI

Beyond just experiencing agriculture, the festival also offers a rich folk culture with activities such as cultural exchanges, traditional folk singing, traditional games, and strolls through the rural market, creating a close connection between locals and tourists.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An Dong Ward, said that for rice-farming communities, rice paddies are not only means of production but also the source of their rice, their life, and their cultural roots. Therefore, the rice planting festival (khai ha) holds a particularly sacred meaning.

Western tourists "transform" into farmers, irrigating fields, planting rice, and catching fish with nets at the "Hoi An Dong 2026 Rice Planting Festival".

PHOTO: KHANH CHI

This year's festival demonstrates the local government's determination to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, while also linking them to sustainable tourism development.

Beyond its cultural and spiritual significance, the festival also possesses a strong practical and humanitarian aspect. In conjunction with the festival, the local government is actively implementing agricultural production plans, providing direct support in terms of supplies, seeds, and capital to alleviate the burden on families affected by last year's natural disasters.

They planted rice while singing traditional folk songs.

PHOTO: KHANH CHI

"The highlight of the festival is to allow visitors to directly experience farming, thereby showcasing the simple yet beautiful image of traditional rice farming, gradually building green, environmentally friendly tourism products based on local cultural values," Mr. Dung emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/le-hoi-xuong-dong-khach-tay-me-tit-khi-loi-ruong-cay-lua-cung-nong-dan-185260104160844896.htm