Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 to showcase ocean culture on global stage

The Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 will take place from July 17 to 19, featuring more than 40 cultural, sports, and tourism activities aimed at promoting Khanh Hoa’s image to domestic and international visitors.

On June 22, the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee held a press conference to announce plans for the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 under the theme “Colors of the Ocean - Reaching International Heights”. The large-scale cultural and tourism event is designed to celebrate the unique values of the province’s seas and islands, attract visitors, promote the marine economy, and enhance Khanh Hoa’s position on the international tourism map.

The festival will be held over three days, from July 17 to 19, at April 2 Square in Nha Trang Ward and various locations across the province. In addition to the main programs, a series of supporting events will be organized from July 10 to August 10, offering a wide range of activities.

The event is hosted by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism serving as the coordinating agency in collaboration with local authorities, departments, the Tourism Association, and the business community. More than 40 activities covering culture, arts, sports, and tourism are expected to attract between 600,000 and 800,000 domestic and international visitors.

According to Ms. Thai Thi Le Hang, Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the festival's highlight will be the opening ceremony at 8:00 p.m. on July 17 at April 2 Square. The event will feature a large-scale artistic program incorporating advanced technologies such as real-time augmented reality (AR) and 3D mapping, combined with both low- and high-altitude fireworks displays. The ceremony will be broadcast live on VTV and KTV.

The festival will continue with a Carnival Festival and Flower Float Parade at 5:00 p.m. on July 18 along Tran Phu Street, bringing vibrant colors and festive energy to the coastal city. The closing ceremony, combined with the international music concert “Unite the Continents”, will take place at 8:00 p.m. on July 19, concluding the main festival activities.

A variety of side events will also be held, including the Khanh Hoa Bird’s Nest Festival, the culinary program “Taste of the Coastal City - Summer Melodies”, the Viet Nam Ao Dai Festival, Khanh Hoa Agricultural Products, OCOP Products and Local Specialties Week 2026, the Lam Son Fruit Festival, exhibitions, street art performances, and artistic kite-flying activities.

Sports events will play an important role in the festival program, featuring the VPS Cup Nha Trang International Sailing Regatta 2026, trail running competitions, golf tournaments, and beach football matches, creating diverse experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Through the festival, Khanh Hoa aims to further promote its image as a “safe, high-quality, attractive, and friendly” destination while showcasing its rich maritime cultural heritage and natural resources. The event is also expected to contribute to sustainable tourism development, the marine economy, trade, and services, while strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges with domestic and international partners.

At the press conference, journalists raised questions regarding accommodation capacity, food and beverage services, security, traffic management, and media operations during the festival.

Mr. Le Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the organizing committee has worked with hotels and resorts across the province to offer discounted rates for visitors attending the festival.

Ms. Thai Thi Le Hang noted that Nha Trang currently has sufficient accommodation capacity to meet the anticipated demand during the festival period. The tourism sector will strengthen oversight of service pricing and quality to protect visitors’ interests and provide the best possible travel experience.

The province also pledged to create favorable conditions for domestic and international media organizations, enabling timely and accurate coverage of the festival and its activities.

Phuong Chi