The history of the swiftlet farming industry spans over 700 years. In Khanh Hoa province, this industry holds many unique historical, cultural, and economic values. The recognition of the folk knowledge of swiftlet farming and processing, and the Swiftlet Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, reminds future generations of their responsibility to preserve and promote the heritage left by their ancestors.
The profession is over 700 years old.
Every year, on the 10th day of the 5th lunar month, the Swiftlet Nest Festival is held at the temple dedicated to the founder of the swiftlet nest industry on Hon Noi Island, in the Nha Trang sea area. From early morning, descendants of the founders of the swiftlet nest industry; those associated with the industry in Khanh Hoa in particular, and throughout the country in general, gather in solemn attire, with a reverent attitude, to perform the ritual of offering prayers, respectfully expressing gratitude and remembering the great merits of the founding ancestors, the patron saint, and the predecessors who established and developed the swiftlet nest industry over the past 700 years.
According to historical records, in 1328, during the Tran Dynasty, on an official trip to the south, Admiral Le Van Dat and his troops stopped at Hon Tre Island. Coincidentally discovering several uninhabited islands inhabited by swallows, he established naval units to directly protect, exploit, and develop this valuable resource. From then on, the natural swallow nest harvesting industry was born, and Admiral Le Van Dat was later revered as the founder of the swallow nest industry. His descendants, Le Van Quang and Le Thi Huyen Tram, during the Tay Son-Nguyen Hue period, continued the work. Le Thi Huyen Tram, in particular, was revered by the local people as the Holy Mother of the Island; a statue of her was erected on Hon Noi Island.
After the solemn ceremony, the festival features many traditional cultural, artistic, and sporting activities such as performances of folk songs, dances, boat rowing, and basket-shaking, creating a diverse and vibrant maritime and island cultural atmosphere. Among these activities, the competition for preparing dishes made from bird's nest is always captivating, with creative and unique culinary art performances; honoring the essence of bird's nest cuisine. The dishes in the competition are judged on their preparation, culinary artistry, and the dissemination of the cultural value of bird's nest cuisine.
According to Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Van, Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Company, this is an annual event that helps people appreciate the nutritional value of bird's nests from the natural islands of Khanh Hoa, as well as the unique cultural aspects of the bird's nest industry in this land of agarwood and bird's nests. At the Bird's Nest Festival, visitors have the opportunity to learn about and explore the practical life of swiftlets; how to harvest bird's nests; and how to prepare highly nutritious dishes from natural bird's nests.
After many years of organization, in 2013, when it was included in the Nha Trang Sea Festival, the Bird's Nest Festival made an increasingly deep impression on domestic and international tourists regarding the nature, culture, and products of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa. Many foreign visitors to the festival know by heart a few folk songs: Bird's nests from Hon Noi/Ducks from Ninh Hoa/Lobsters from Binh Ba...
Efforts to preserve and promote the value of heritage
In early June 2025, the folk knowledge of harvesting and processing swallow nests and the Khanh Hoa Swallow Nest Festival were honored and included in the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to the recognition dossier, the folk knowledge of harvesting and processing swallow nests in Khanh Hoa province, spanning over 700 years, contains many unique historical, cultural, and economic values. The Khanh Hoa Swallow Nest Festival, in particular, is a remarkable blend of folk beliefs and economic activities, embodying both rich traditional cultural values and making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the locality.
Ms. Trinh Thi Hong Van, Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Company, affirmed: The recognition of Khanh Hoa Folk Knowledge and Bird's Nest Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage reminds us of our responsibility to protect, preserve, and promote the value of this heritage, an inseparable part of the profound cultural, spiritual, and religious identity that our ancestors painstakingly preserved and developed. The community's task today is to preserve this heritage so that it lives on, reaches far, and its invaluable values are strongly disseminated among the people of Khanh Hoa as well as domestic and international tourists.
The recognition of Khanh Hoa Folk Knowledge and Bird's Nest Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage serves as a reminder of the responsibility to protect, preserve, and promote the value of this heritage, an inseparable part of the profound cultural, spiritual, and religious identity that our ancestors painstakingly preserved and developed.
Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Company, Trinh Thi Hong Van
On Hon Noi Island, it was drizzling that afternoon. Vo Van Cam, a skilled swiftlet nest harvester, said that in the evening, visibility is poor, but swiftlets fly into the caves with astonishing speed and accuracy. Millions of nests are densely packed on the cliffs, but no bird enters the wrong nest. The swiftlets use their beaks to scrape back and forth white silk-like threads (scientifically known as the perilymphatic fluid) to build their nests, providing humans with a precious natural source of nutrition.
In the book "Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh," the renowned physician Le Huu Trac assessed bird's nest as a precious medicine that nourishes the body, enhances vitality, cleanses the lungs, and helps reverse aging. Since ancient times, bird's nest has been classified as one of the "eight treasures," a rare and elaborately prepared dish reserved only for royalty. For example, the Nguyen Dynasty's national banquets were held solemnly and grandly during festivals, holidays, and important events. Attendees included the king, royal family members, relatives, and high-ranking officials. Guests enjoyed grand music before the banquet began.
That was the case in the past. Now, the nutritional value of natural island bird's nests has become widely known to the community. And, bird's nest cuisine has become one of the unique cultural features of Khanh Hoa province. Pure, natural island bird's nests have the rich flavor of the sea. Chefs dedicate much time and effort to preparing dishes that harmoniously combine yin and yang, hot and cold elements; maximizing the nutritional content of the bird's nest product. Enjoying bird's nest is not only about savoring the essence of nature but also appreciating the subtlety in the art of cooking; the harmony in flavor and color; the delicate suitability of time, space, and the sublime emotions of the human spirit.
In the coastal city of Nha Trang, if desired, tourists can visit Hon Noi Island, where they can witness firsthand flocks of swallows returning to their nests, building them on steep cliffs. And here, visitors can also hear the melodious song: "Khanh Hoa is the land of agarwood/High mountains and vast seas, people come and go with love/Swallow nests, sweet and full of hometown affection..."
On January 10, 2026, Khanh Hoa Salangane Nest State-owned Limited Company was outstandingly ranked among the Top 20 Most Reputable and Culturally Advanced Enterprises of 2025, as announced by the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry. The 2025 Award for Most Reputable and Culturally Advanced Enterprises recognizes the practical contributions of the Vietnamese business community, creating momentum to promote the improvement of business ethics, sustainable development, and fulfilling social responsibilities.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/net-van-hoa-xu-so-non-tram-bien-yen-post937610.html
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