What festivals will Ho Chi Minh City have in 2026?

According to the plan of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, in 2026, the city will organize a series of large-scale festivals, serving both local people and creating a strong attraction for domestic and international tourists.

Kicking off the year's festive season is the 12th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival, scheduled to take place from March 2-8, 2026, with activities continuing until the end of March. This is an annual cultural and tourism event deeply rooted in Vietnamese identity, honoring the traditional Ao Dai in contemporary life. The festival will be held in various central locations such as the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park, Nguyen Hue Street, Lam Son Park... along with historical sites and tourist destinations throughout the city. The series of activities includes an opening ceremony with artistic performances, a mass performance of Ao Dai folk dances, a parade of traditional costumes, Ao Dai competitions, exhibitions, interactive sessions, and seminars on the value of the Vietnamese Ao Dai in the context of integration.

The 12th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival will be the opening event of the year.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Continuing the festive atmosphere is the 22nd Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, scheduled to be held from April 2-5, 2026 at 23.9 Park. This is a large-scale tourism stimulus event following an outdoor B2C trade model, bringing together more than 150 tourism and culinary booths from 34 provinces and cities, along with travel agencies, hotels, airlines, and destinations. The festival is considered a "meeting point" for the domestic tourism market, marking the beginning of the summer tourism season with many promotional programs and discounted tours for locals and tourists.

One of the highlights of 2026 is the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, scheduled to take place in the second quarter. The festival will be held in areas connected to the river and canal system and riverside spaces such as the Nha Rong Khanh Hoi area, Saigon Riverfront Park, Binh Dong Wharf, tourist boat docks, and coastal areas. A diverse range of activities will include art performances, water sports and entertainment, a River Food Week, and Southern Vietnamese cultural experiences… thereby exploiting the potential of river tourism in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Also in the second quarter, the city plans to organize the "Summer Highlights" program, focusing on outdoor recreational and sports activities. The program's highlights include artistic kite flying performances, water sports activities, cultural exchanges, and experiences for families and young people. This series of events contributes to enriching summer tourism products, targeting domestic tourists and families.

The 3rd Ho Chi Minh City River Festival is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2026.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

From a trade promotion and international networking perspective, the Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair - ITE HCMC 2026 continues to be a key event, scheduled to take place from August 27-29, 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC). 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of ITE HCMC – the only international tourism fair in Vietnam with an International Buyers program focusing on the inbound market. The event will bring together approximately 500 booths, along with forums to update trends and connect tourism businesses in the region and internationally, contributing to enhancing Ho Chi Minh City's position on the Asian tourism map.

The year 2026 will conclude with the 6th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Week, scheduled to take place from December 4-12. This series of events kicks off the year-end festive season, combining tourism, sports, music, shopping, and service promotion activities. Within the framework of Tourism Week, the 9th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon will also be held from December 4-6, 2026, continuing to attract tens of thousands of domestic and international athletes, contributing to promoting the image of a dynamic, modern, and friendly city.

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The series of festivals in 2026 is expected to become an important "lever" for the city to continue asserting its position as an attractive, youthful, and culturally rich destination in the region.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nam-2026-tphcm-co-nhung-le-hoi-gi-18525123113180816.htm