Promoting festival values ​​in developing tourism in the Mekong Delta

Festivals are considered a special resource as they contribute to creating favorable conditions for economic development, while introducing and promoting the unique cultural features of localities and regions to domestic and international tourists. In recent times, many localities in the Mekong Delta have promoted the value of festivals in tourism development, creating many unique events to attract tourists.

Potential of festival tourism in the Mekong Delta region

The Mekong Delta currently has more than 1,230 festivals, of which folk and traditional festivals account for nearly 70%. The Mekong Delta is a residential area of ​​ethnic groups such as Kinh, Hoa, Cham, Khmer living together, with a diverse cultural identity of the river region. Accordingly, the festivals here stand out with a comprehensive folk cultural activity, converging forms of literature, performing arts, religion, customs and beliefs. In the Mekong Delta, festivals are an opportunity to perform and introduce to visitors from near and far the unique cultural values ​​of the region in terms of customs, forms of entertainment, folk cuisine... associated with the process of forming the land, adapting to the times. The festivals not only honor the ancestors who reclaimed the land, but also remind people of their responsibility to preserve and build good relationships with relatives in their families, villages, and communities where they live, contributing to the formation of the character and behavioral culture typical of the people of the Mekong Delta. These are generosity, sincerity, humanity, hospitality, solidarity to overcome difficulties, adaptability and living in harmony with nature.

Tourists visit the Southern Traditional Cake Festival 2024

In the Mekong Delta, there are many traditional festivals recognized as national intangible cultural heritages, such as the Via Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival (An Giang), Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival (Kien Giang), Nghinh Ong Festival (Ca Mau), Ky Yen Festival at Binh Thuy Temple (Can Tho)... In particular, the Via Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival was recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. These festivals all have unique local cultural identities, attracting a large number of tourists to participate every year. In addition, the Mekong Delta also has festivals imbued with the culture of the ethnic groups living in the region, such as the Ok-Om-Bok Festival, the Bay Nui Bull Racing Festival of the Khmer ethnic group; Ramadan Festival, Roya Haji Festival of the Cham people; The worship of Ba Thien Hau of the Chinese people... all create their own attraction for tourists from near and far.

Promoting the potential value and creativity of festivals to develop tourism

In addition to the existing traditional festival values, provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta also create events and festivals based on local cultural resources, promoting local economic and cultural strengths, and promoting tourism development. Specifically, the Southern Traditional Cake Festival (Can Tho), Ben Tre Coconut Festival (Ben Tre), Vietnam - Hau Giang International Rice Festival (Hau Giang), Red Brick and Ceramic Festival - Green Economy (Vinh Long), Sa Dec Ornamental Flower Festival (Dong Thap), Vietnam - Bac Lieu Salt Festival.

Many festivals have gradually become typical annual events of the locality, creating tourism attraction. For example, the Southern Traditional Cake Festival has been held 11 times so far and is preparing for the 12th edition (expected to take place from April 4 to 8, 2025). The festival not only contributes to preserving and promoting the value of Southern traditional cakes but is also an event that attracts tourists.

After the success of the first Sa Dec Ornamental Flower Festival, Dong Thap is also preparing for the second festival, scheduled to take place from December 27, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The Vietnam Salt Festival - Bac Lieu also created an impressive mark on salt specialties and Bac Lieu tourism.

Festivals are the foundation for creating unique tourism products, especially thematic tourism. Notable among them are themes exploring cultural heritage, history, agriculture, traditional crafts, cuisine, etc. Festivals should be invested in not only in terms of scale but also quality. Well-organized tourism products from festivals not only contribute to preserving and promoting national cultural identity but also turn localities into attractive destinations for tourists.

Currently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued a plan to “Preserve traditional festivals in localities, exploit and develop products to serve tourism development” with the orientation of improving the cultural life of the community, while at the same time arousing national pride and awareness of preserving cultural identity through traditional festivals. This is also a way to attract investment resources from the state and society, contributing to creating momentum for sustainable tourism development. On this basis, localities in the Mekong Delta will study and systematize festivals to have appropriate development orientations and plans, promoting festival values ​​in combination with sustainable tourism.

According to Can Tho Newspaper

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/phat-huy-gia-tri-le-hoi-trong-phat-trien-du-lich-dong-bang-song-cuu-long-20250328092855935.htm