Get ready for the Ken Temple Festival 2026

In the atmosphere of the early spring days of the Year of the Horse (2026), Chieng Ken commune is urgently completing all preparations for the Ken Temple Festival in 2026. Preparations are being carried out comprehensively, from infrastructure and program content to security and order plans.

Báo Lào Cai•17/02/2026

The Ken Temple Festival in 2026 will be held over two days, February 22nd and 23rd (corresponding to the 6th and 7th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse). The main construction work for the Ken Temple courtyard, where the festival activities will take place, has been largely completed. Following the restructuring of the local government at two levels, in August 2025, Chiềng Ken commune received investment for the Ken Temple courtyard project totaling over 21 billion VND. After more than five months of construction, items such as the main gate, stage, access roads, temple paths, rest areas, and other auxiliary facilities have been completed. The main road of the commune bordering the temple courtyard has been upgraded from 6.5m to 10.5m, facilitating event organization and travel for residents and tourists. Decoration and ceremonial arrangements were implemented before the Lunar New Year.

Mr. Dinh Dac Tri, Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieng Ken commune, said: "The festival grounds and the Ken Temple renovation project have been completed to about 80-90% of the total volume. The basic items meet the requirements for organizing the festival at the beginning of the year. This year, Chieng Ken commune has a new venue, the festival grounds have been comprehensively invested in, and Ken Temple has been renovated, creating conditions for organizing a commune-level festival while ensuring all the planned content is included."

This year's festival will consist of both ceremonial and celebratory parts. The ceremonial part will take place on February 23, 2026, and will include: the Feast for the Soldiers and the Commemoration Ceremony for the Ancestor from 4:00 to 7:00; the opening ceremony from 8:30 to 9:30 with an artistic program, historical review, and drum performance; and the incense offering ceremony from 9:30 to 10:00… The celebratory part will feature many cultural, artistic, and sporting activities. On the evening of February 22, there will be an artistic program with 15 performances praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the homeland; concluding with a civilian fireworks display as per regulations. Sports and folk games include tug-of-war, stick pushing, and sack racing. The "Going Down to the Fields" festival will be held on the afternoon of February 22 with activities such as throwing the "con" (a type of ball), blindfolded duck catching, and stilt walking according to the Tay ethnic group's rituals. In addition, there will be an open Ken Temple Pickleball Tournament.

Currently, the villagers are enthusiastically and actively practicing for the program. Ms. Ly Thi Nghia, from Dong Ve village, Chieng Ken commune, shared: "Dong Ve village is participating in a cultural performance showcasing the unique identity of the Xa Pho ethnic group. We have been practicing seriously to prepare for the program. Performing on the large stage of the festival is an opportunity to introduce our ethnic culture to tourists."

The stage elements are being completed in a hurry.

In addition, the festival also features an exhibition and promotion of local products, with 10 booths showcasing OCOP products and agricultural produce. A traditional food competition, with participation from 21 villages, focuses on introducing traditional dishes.

Ms. Bui Thi Thu Hang, from Ken 1 village, Chieng Ken commune, said: "In recent years, the local infrastructure has been invested in and upgraded. Preparations for this year's Ken Temple Festival have been started early and have a specific plan. I hope the festival will attract many tourists, thereby making more people aware of Ken Temple and the local products and agricultural produce."

Locals are practicing performing arts in preparation for the festival.

The Ken Temple Festival is organized to maintain traditional rituals, commemorate the figures worshipped at the temple, and create a space for community cultural activities. Through cultural and sporting activities and product promotion, the locality aims to link heritage preservation with the development of spiritual tourism and socio- economic development. At this point, the conditions regarding infrastructure, program content, and organizational plans are basically complete. Chiềng Ken commune continues to review the remaining tasks to ensure the festival takes place as planned, safely, and in accordance with regulations.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/san-sang-cho-le-hoi-den-ken-nam-2026-post893958.html