Opening of the first Red River Festival

On the evening of November 19, at Nam Cuong Square (Cam Duong Ward), Lao Cai Province in coordination with localities in the Red River basin of Vietnam and Hong Ha Chau (Yunnan Province, China) solemnly opened the Red River Festival - Lao Cai 2025, with the theme "Where the Red River flows into Vietnam".

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh affirmed that 2025 marks the first time Lao Cai organizes the Red River Festival, opening the Red River Festival Project for the period 2025-2035. This is a cultural - economic - foreign affairs exchange event of special significance, aiming to honor the history, culture and values ​​of the Red River civilization; spread the spirit of "remembering the source of drinking water", and foster national pride. At the same time, the Festival is an opportunity to promote socio-economic development cooperation and expand friendly relations between provinces and cities along the Red River of Vietnam and Yunnan Province (China).

Taking place from November 18 to 24 in Lao Cai City, Cam Duong Ward and many localities in the province, the Red River Festival brings a series of diverse activities in culture, tourism, trade and sports . Visitors have the opportunity to explore the cultural space of ethnic groups; visit cultural exhibitions, tourism, photos, artifacts and publications about the Red River; immerse themselves in traditional rituals, folk songs, folk dances and typical costumes to fully experience the beauty of the upstream region - where the Red River begins its journey into Vietnam.

Nearly 1,000 artisans, actors, and many famous music stars, dancers, and musicians participated in the Festival. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA).

Along with cultural activities, the Festival also organizes many economic, sports and friendship exchange events such as: Vietnam - China International Trade Fair; program to recreate the ancient Coc Leu market; International Cycling Race "One track - Two countries"; Vietnam - China sports, culture, youth and business exchange. The highlight of the Festival is the Lao Cai Shan Tuyet Tea Festival - "Tea scent in the clouds", honoring highland products and bringing a unique experience of Northwestern culture.

The Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee emphasized that the regular organization of the Red River Festival is a step to concretize the Resolution of the First Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030, towards the 14th National Party Congress; demonstrating the determination to innovate, create and proactively integrate, building Lao Cai into an international trade center, a cultural - tourism center of the Northern Midlands and Mountains region, developing in a green, harmonious and sustainable direction.

Speaking at the event, Ms. La Binh - Deputy Secretary, Head of the People's Government of Hong Ha Chau, Head of the Working Delegation of Yunnan Province (China) - emphasized that 2025 is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China, and also the Year of Humanitarian Exchange between the two countries. She expressed her belief that, with the joint efforts of both sides and the active participation of delegates, the 2025 Red River Festival - Lao Cai and the China - Vietnam Cooperation Week in the Red River Basin will be organized more and more effectively, promoting exchanges and cooperation, making practical contributions to the Vietnam - China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership; aiming to build a community that shares the future of the two countries and continue to write brilliant pages of cooperation between Hong Ha Chau and Lao Cai as well as between Yunnan and the northern localities of Vietnam.

The Red River Festival – Lao Cai 2025 is not only a cultural activity but also an important political, economic and foreign affairs event; contributing to the implementation of the policy of developing cultural industry associated with tourism, making culture an endogenous resource for sustainable development. This is also a forum for localities to enhance exchanges, cooperation, experience sharing and consolidate the comprehensive friendship between Vietnam and China.

The opening ceremony brought together about 600 actors, singers, artists, dancers and musicians. The performances were elaborately staged, fully conveying the program's theme, bringing an emotional night of art.

In particular, thousands of people and tourists enjoyed the art program consisting of 3 chapters: "Legendary Origin", "Heritage Flow" and "River of Desire", with the participation of singers Tung Duong, To Hoa, Khac Hieu, Minh Quan, Thu Thuy, Tuan Ngoc, Ngoc Chinh (Ram C), Thanh An and nearly 1,000 artisans and actors of Lao Cai province, creating a space filled with cultural colors and a spirit of friendship.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/khai-mac-festival-song-hong-lan-thu-nhat-217786.html