The waterways of Can Tho are bustling with festival season.

The waterways of Can Tho are bustling with festivities during the New Year season, offering exciting experiences for visitors from near and far.

The People's Committee of Can Tho City, in collaboration with OLaBay Vietnam Joint Stock Company and sponsors, will organize the Can Tho River Culture Festival 2025 with many attractive activities. The festival will take place from December 26, 2025 to January 1, 2026 at Ben Ninh Kieu Park (Ninh Kieu Ward), Song Hau Park (Cai Khe Ward), and surrounding areas in Can Tho City.

The pedestrian bridge at Ninh Kieu Wharf is resplendent with colors during the Lantern Festival on the river.

PHOTO: QUANG MINH NHAT

The colorful waterways of Can Tho

The festival program began with the "Colorful River Parade," starting from the Can Tho River (near Ninh Kieu Wharf Park and the pedestrian bridge). Hundreds of colorfully decorated boats lined up, heading out onto the Hau River towards Hau River Park, where a large floating stage was adorned with flags, flowers, and lights. Traditional folk music resonated amidst the waterfront and boats, creating a unique atmosphere characteristic of the hospitable and generous "Cam Thi" region. Alongside the boat parade, the streets of Tay Do (Can Tho) were bustling with lion and dragon dance troupes, their drums beating continuously, urging people to eagerly head towards Hau River Park, contributing to the lively and vibrant atmosphere of Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep speaks at the press conference for the Can Tho River Culture Festival 2025.

PHOTO: QUANG MINH NHAT

Mr. Le Minh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, said that the opening ceremony and artistic performance will officially begin at 8 PM on December 26th. The program will be broadcast live by Vietnam Television, and retransmitted by Can Tho Newspaper, Radio and Television, creating a strong impact on other provinces and cities. The program is elaborately staged and captivating, directed by Duong Quang Minh, and features a large number of professional artists, singers, actors, and dancers from many theaters and art units nationwide. The program presents a semi-realistic stage setting on the Hau River, vividly recreating the rich culture, life, and cuisine of the people of the riverine region, while also honoring the simple, heartfelt beauty of the people of Southern Vietnam.

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"Following the opening ceremony and artistic performances, at 9 PM on the same day, the audience will continue to enjoy a drone light show combined with artistic fireworks, blending sound, light, and the colors of folk culture. The combination of modern technology and traditional symbols will create a dazzling picture of the river landscape, conveying a message about a dynamic, creative, and distinctive Can Tho in the heart of the Mekong Delta...", Mr. Le Minh Tuan informed.

Can Tho, a riverside city in the Mekong Delta.

PHOTO: QUANG MINH NHAT

Unexpected experiences

According to director Duong Quang Minh, the opening night's artistic program will feature People's Artist Bach Tuyet along with artists such as Duong Hong Loan, Tuan Khuong, Duc Phuc, Ho Phi Nal, Truong Tran Anh Duy, Long Non La, Le Duy, and others. A drone show, appearing twice during the program, will create a special highlight. 350 artists and performers on a floating stage will contribute to conveying the story of the pioneering era, the alluvial deposits, the bustling riverside, the land rich in identity and vitality, morality, and human kindness alongside the rivers and the year-round sweet fruit trees. "Great music and beautiful scenery" in the artistic program will evoke strong emotions in audiences near and far.

The waterways of Can Tho sparkle with lights at night.

PHOTO: QUANG MINH NHAT

This festival is an opportunity to introduce and promote the unique riverine culture of Can Tho in particular, and the Mekong Delta in general, to local people and domestic and international tourists. The 2025 Can Tho Riverine Culture Festival will feature special highlights such as the "Colors on the River" parade, water sports experiences, flyboard demonstrations, composite boat racing, SUP board racing, sailing races, releasing lanterns on the river, riverine environmental protection activities, workshops to improve river safety skills and knowledge, a photo exhibition "Life on the River - The Mekong Delta Past and Present," street acoustic music performances, a workshop "Can Tho City Tourism - A Breakthrough Development Boost," yoga demonstrations, demonstrations of characteristic cuisine, a space to introduce OCOP products, promotion of local tourism products, nightly art performances for visitors, and tours of sports and health booths…

Pano for the Can Tho River Culture Festival 2025

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PHOTO: QUANG MINH NHAT

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, said that this first-ever Can Tho River Culture Festival aims to create a highlight and enrich the unique tourism products of the Southern riverine region. The festival continues to contribute to raising community awareness in preserving the riverine ecological environment and encouraging sustainable tourism development. The festival connects river tourism between Can Tho City and Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta provinces, and countries along the Mekong River. The festival will offer surprising experiences for tourists visiting Tay Do, a peaceful riverine region with many tourist routes. Through the festival, Can Tho City hopes to build an image of Can Tho as a "Mekong River Tourism Center," promoting national and international tourism, stimulating demand for tourism, food, and accommodation services, creating a strong ripple effect, and contributing to rapid and sustainable economic development.

In the first 11 months of 2025, tourism in Can Tho City continued its breakthrough. Accordingly, the number of visitors reached 9,985,000, an increase of 25.83% compared to the same period in 2024. The number of overnight stays reached 4,461,575, an increase of 33.51% compared to the same period. Total tourism revenue was 8,670.5 billion VND, an increase of 24.86% compared to the previous year. The Can Tho River Culture Festival in 2025 is expected to attract a large number of domestic and international tourists to Can Tho to visit, shop, enjoy local cuisine, and celebrate the New Year 2026 in a joyful and peaceful manner.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/song-nuoc-can-tho-ron-rang-mua-le-hoi-185251203203125004.htm