ĐIỆN BIÊN — The Hoa Ban Festival 2026 will take place from March 20 to 26 in Điện Biên Province, promising a vibrant series of cultural, sporting and tourism activities that celebrate the rich heritage of local ethnic communities while showcasing the province’s growing appeal in a new development phase.

Held at the height of the hoa ban (Bauhinia variegata) blossom season, the festival is one of the northwest’s most anticipated annual events, when hillsides and valleys are washed in soft white and lilac blooms – a symbol closely associated with the culture and spiritual life of the region’s ethnic groups, particularly the Thái people.

This year’s festival aims to honour the values of traditional cultural heritage, customs, folk arts, cuisine and traditional costumes of ethnic communities in the province. Organisers say the event also plays an important role in educating younger generations about tradition, nurturing national pride and preserving the province’s cultural identity in a new era of development.

At the same time, the festival serves as a major platform to promote Điện Biên’s image, tourism potential and cultural strengths. By enhancing the province’s tourism brand recognition, the event is expected to help stimulate travel demand, boost consumption of local products and support economic restructuring, contributing to broader socio-economic development.

The festival is also designed as a space for exchange and connection. It brings together Điện Biên with other localities, businesses and organisations from across the country and abroad, supporting the goal of turning tourism into a key economic sector, fostering cultural industries and shaping the image of Điện Biên as a friendly, civilised and safe destination.

A rich lineup of activities will unfold throughout the festival. Highlights include a folk singing, dancing and music festival, along with showcases of traditional ethnic costumes. A colourful street carnival will animate local roads, while audiences can enjoy the outdoor real-scene performance Huyền tích U Va (The Legend of U Va), inspired by local history and mythology.

Sports lovers can look forward to the 2026 expanded Về Điện Biên Phủ (Back to Điện Biên Phủ) cross-country race and a road cycling tournament, both of which combine athletic challenges with scenic routes through the historic landscape.

Traditional games and folk competitions will also bring lively energy to the event. These include corn grinding contests, bánh giầy (glutinous rice cake) pounding competitions, tug of war and bicycle cargo pushing, as well as simulated ammunition transport and even a cannon-pulling contest inspired by historical wartime logistics. Modern elements will join the mix with sport dance and recreational dance performances.

Creative voices are invited to capture the festival’s spirit through the 'Ấn tượng Điện Biên' (Impressive Điện Biên) photo and video clip contest, while dedicated exhibition spaces will introduce cultural and tourism products and offer hands-on cultural experiences for visitors.

In addition, a range of tourism and promotional programmes will run alongside the main festivities. Press trips and an investment and tourism promotion conference are planned, along with tours for visitors to admire hoa ban blossoms and take part in traditional cultural and culinary experiences.

At historical sites, guests can try their hand at cooking with a Hoàng Cầm field stove and enjoy a soldiers’ meal, offering a glimpse into wartime life. The programme 'A Day in the Land of Hoa Ban – The Stilt-House Homeland of the White Thái in Mường Lay' will further introduce the distinctive architecture, lifestyle and customs of the White Thái community.

More than a tourism event, the festival is seen as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity among ethnic groups and promote comprehensive development across economic, cultural and social spheres. It also contributes to maintaining political stability and ensuring defence and security in Điện Biên and the wider northwest region.

Through these activities, the province continues to implement national and local resolutions while marking major national milestones, reinforcing the festival’s role not only as a celebration of blossoms, but also as a symbol of unity, heritage and forward-looking growth. — VNS