2016 Hue Festival: Int'l hot air balloon fiesta kicks off

The international hot air balloon fiesta kicked off in Hue city, central Thua Thien-Hue province on May 4 as part of the 9th Hue Festival.
2016 Hue Festival: Int'l hot air balloon fiesta kicks off ảnh 1The international hot air balloon fiesta kicked off in Hue city, central Thua Thien-Hue province on May 4. (Photo: VNA)

Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The international hot air balloon fiesta kicked off in Hue city, central Thua Thien-Hue province on May 4 as part of the 9th Hue Festival.

The two-day event is being participated in by pilots and balloonists from nine countries including Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, India, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

It features hot air balloons of 25 metres in height and 18 metres in width, offering an aerial view of Hue imperial city from a height of 150 metres.

The balloon of Vietjet Air represented the host country Vietnam during the first day of the fiesta.

The show takes place from 5:30 am to 8:00 am and from 17:00 pm to 18:30 pm with balloons taking off at Ham Nghi Yard in the Citadel and landing in separate locations in Phu My commune of Phu Vang district, Tu Ha ward of Huong Tra district and Huong Long ward of Hue city.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Dung said the fiesta brings a breath of fresh air to the 2016 Hue Festival as well as the province’s tourism industry.-VNA

VNA

See more

Phan Thi Hong Lien wins the last gold for of Vietnam to help the team place No 1 in the sixth World Kun Khmer Championships' tally. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam tops medal table at World Kun Khmer Championships

The Vietnamese team claimed 18 gold medals on their debut at the sixth World Kun Khmer Championships in Cambodia, edging hosts Cambodia to finish first overall and strengthening their push for Olympic recognition of the sport.

An exhibition on "do" paper and recycled materials at Dien Hong flower garden. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Art reawakens Hanoi's public spaces

Last year, Hanoi saw a surge in both quantity and quality of public art endeavours, a leap forward in the art of breathing new life into urban landscapes

The horse image symbolises resilience, endurance, and spirit of “success upon arrival.” (Photo: VNA)

Horse mascot leaves strong impression at spring fair

A major attraction is a unique “Eight galloping horses” (Bat Ma) sculpture displayed at the To Trinh gemstone booth. Carved from a rare monolithic jade block, the artwork features eight spirited horses racing across golden rice fields. The harmonious blend of pure jade veins and natural golden tones enhances both its aesthetic depth and symbolic meaning, evoking prosperity and abundance associated with Vietnam’s rice civilisation.

Delegates cut the ribbon to launch the 46th Spring Flower Festival at Tao Dan Park. (Photo: VNA)

Festive activities herald Lunar New Year of the Horse

A vibrant array of cultural and media events has been launched across Vietnam to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, highlighting both the country’s enduring traditions and its dynamic socio-economic progress.

A calligraphy booth at the festival (Photo: VNA)

Spring Calligraphy Festival 2026 opens in Hanoi

A central attraction remains the traditional New Year calligraphy request activity, featuring 35 booths staffed by calligraphers selected through a rigorous, transparent evaluation process.

A ritual to welcome new year of Muong people in Phu Tho (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Unique Lunar New Year traditions on display

Each ethnic group brings its own unique Tet customs to the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism on the outskirts of Hanoi, creating a rich and colourful cultural mosaic.

Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek (R) attends a cultural event in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Cultural, people-to-people interactions anchor Vietnam–Poland relations: diplomat

Skoczek also pointed to striking similarities between Vietnam’s Tet and Poland’s Christmas Eve traditions, particularly the emphasis on family reunions, symbolic meals and shared rituals passed down through generations. Despite differences in customs and cuisine, she said the essence of the celebrations remains universal: bringing loved ones together to welcome a new start.

A Tet flower street is held for the first time at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel during the Lunar New Year 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Tet flower street held for first time at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

More than a seasonal attraction, the flower street also functions as a formal cultural venue for receiving ambassadors, their spouses and representatives of diplomatic missions attending the Vietnam Discovery Day 2026 programme. Its linkage with an external event further reinforces the Thang Long Imperial Citadel’s position as a key platform for introducing Vietnam’s cultural identity to international friends.