Nghe An opens the Lotus Village festival, spreading the aspiration for development.

The Lotus Village Festival is an occasion for people nationwide to turn towards their roots, express their heartfelt respect, honor, and profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh.

The art program at the 2026 Lotus Village Festival is elaborately and uniquely staged - Photo: TAM PHAM

On the evening of May 18th, at the Lang Sen Stadium in Kim Lien commune, Nghe An province, the opening ceremony of the 2026 Lang Sen Festival was solemnly held, marking the beginning of a series of activities commemorating the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026).

Returning to the peaceful and simple Lotus Village

As May arrives, millions of Vietnamese hearts are filled with emotion as they turn towards Lang Sen Village – a land steeped in the spirit of the countryside, simple yet sacred, for it preserves and cherishes countless memories of the nation's revered father – "The man who brought glory to our nation, our people, and our country."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Thai Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province, emphasized that the Lang Sen Festival has profound political significance, an important event to celebrate the anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth; it is a traditional festival where people sing about President Ho Chi Minh, the Party, and their homeland, aiming to honor and affirm the vibrant vitality of cultural values ​​bearing the imprint of the Ho Chi Minh era.

The festival is also an occasion to express the profound respect and gratitude of all strata of the people and the nation towards the immense contributions of President Ho Chi Minh - the national liberation hero, the outstanding cultural figure, a shining symbol in the golden pages of Vietnamese history and culture, of the history of the Vietnamese nation, and of the history of the Communist Party of Vietnam .

The land of Kim Lien, warm with the spirit of the land and rich with the affection of its people, is now vibrant with new colors, changing every day to harmonize with the transformation of the nation.

Students attentively listen to a presentation about President Ho Chi Minh's childhood at the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site in Nghe An - Photo: DOAN HOA

Filled with love, gratitude, and pride, Nghe An – the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh – has been striving to achieve its goals of becoming a prosperous province in the country, a regional center in the North Central region for trade, healthcare, education and training, science and technology, industry, and high-tech agriculture.

At this year's Lang Sen Village Festival, the people and tourists gained a deeper understanding of Lang Sen, President Ho Chi Minh's hometown, as a peaceful, simple, and beloved place; of the friendly land and people of Nghe An, rich in traditional identity but always ready for new cultural and tourism experiences.

"From the Lotus Village Festival, the cultural heritage values ​​of Ho Chi Minh and the positive impressions of a friendly and hospitable Nghe An homeland will increasingly spread and leave a lasting mark in the hearts of delegates, people, and tourists from near and far," Mr. Thanh affirmed.

People from all over the country flock to visit President Ho Chi Minh's hometown in May - Photo: DOAN HOA

Kim Lien - a national-level tourist destination

On this occasion, the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site was honored to receive the First-Class Labor Order from the President of Vietnam.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the decision to recognize Kim Lien National Tourist Area with an area of ​​10,500 hectares.

This event is of significant importance to the development of local tourism, contributing to promoting the image of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland to domestic and international tourists.

With its rich cultural and historical heritage, serene landscape, and increasingly完善 infrastructure, Kim Lien will become a national-level destination where visitors can reconnect with their roots, experience the culture of Nghe An province, and deeply appreciate the enduring values ​​of President Ho Chi Minh's homeland.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh (3rd from the right) presents the decision recognizing Kim Lien National Tourist Area with an area of ​​10,500 hectares - Photo: DOAN HOA

The highlight of the opening night was a special artistic program consisting of three parts: "Lotus Blossoms in the Homeland," "Footprints of the Era," and "Enduring Beauty."

The program recreates the journey of President Ho Chi Minh from his hometown of Lang Sen to his aspiration for national independence; the spirit of great national unity and the aspiration for national development in the new era.

Through the opening ceremony of the 2026 Lotus Village Festival, Nghe An province continues to affirm the significance and widespread influence of a special cultural and political event, expressing the profound respect and gratitude of the Party Committee, government, and people of the whole country towards the beloved President Ho Chi Minh.

This is also an opportunity to promote and educate about patriotic traditions, spread the ideological, moral, and stylistic values ​​of Ho Chi Minh; contribute to promoting the image of Nghe An province and the Kim Lien National Special Historical Site to domestic and international tourists, thereby promoting cultural and tourism development and inspiring aspirations for the development of the homeland and the country in the new era.

The Nine-Tiered Waterfall at the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan - Mother of President Ho Chi Minh - Photo: Nghe An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Earlier on the afternoon of May 18th, within the framework of the 2026 Lotus Village Festival, the People's Committee of Nghe An province and T&T Group held the inauguration ceremony for the 9-tiered waterfall at the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan - the mother of President Ho Chi Minh. The project has a total investment of over 34 billion VND, sponsored by T&T Group.

Inspired by the familiar Vietnamese folk verse: "A father's love is like Mount Thai Son / A mother's love is like the water flowing from a spring," the Nine-Tiered Waterfall was built on the basis of restoring and beautifying the existing natural stream at the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan. The structure is made up of nine interconnected tiers of water.

The nine tiers of water symbolize the nine virtues of the island: Birth, Nurturing, Protection, Cultivation, Growth, Education, Care, Rehabilitation, and Blessing, as a reminder of the immense contributions of parents in giving birth to and raising their children.

The flow of water through the nine tiers carries subtle, symbolic meanings of eternity and expresses the profound remembrance of visitors to the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan.

To celebrate the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2026), Nghe An province will organize many activities from May 18 to 30, including some notable events such as: a flower and incense offering ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House in the Kim Lien historical site and Chung Son Temple; and a procession of President Ho Chi Minh's portrait.

Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Lotus Village Festival and Announcement of the Decision to Recognize Kim Lien National Tourist Area; thematic exhibition "Commemorating 115 Years Since President Ho Chi Minh's Departure to Find a Way to Save the Nation".

The event included organizing a "Rural Market" space combined with experiential tourism activities at Sen Village; an exhibition on "80 Years Since President Ho Chi Minh's Call for National Resistance"; a thematic display on "The System of Museums and Memorial Sites of President Ho Chi Minh Nationwide"; a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Kim Lien Historical Site; and the inauguration of the Nine-Tiered Waterfall project within the cultural tourism area in Kim Lien commune.

DOAN HOA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghe-an-khai-hoi-lang-sen-lan-toa-khat-vong-phat-trien-20260518162136414.htm