Hanoi (VNA) – A wide range of cultural and tourism activities will be held during the sixth Cham Culture Festival 2026, which is expected to take place in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa from June 26 to 28. The event will highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Cham ethnic group while promoting sustainable tourism.
Held under the theme “Preserving and Promoting Cham Cultural Identity in the New Era”, the festival is expected to bring together Cham communities from Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, An Giang, Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy said the festival would help preserve Cham cultural values and local tourism.
A diverse programme of activities has been planned, including traditional Cham festivals, exhibitions showcasing traditional handicrafts, folk art performances, a Cham traditional fashion show, and football, volleyball, tug of war, stick pushing and water-carrying contests.
A community-based tourism guide competition will also be held to encourage local participation in sustainable tourism.
Among the festival's highlights will be the multimedia installation "Cham Colours – Convergence and Dissemination," a thematic exhibition on the distinctive cultural features of the Cham people within Vietnam's diverse ethnic community, and a seminar discussing preservation of Cham cultural heritage.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience traditional Cham culture through an exhibition space recreating daily community life. The interactive area will feature traditional Cham houses, handicraft workshops, folk art performances and culinary experiences showcasing the ethnic group's distinctive cuisine.
The opening and closing ceremonies are scheduled to take place at 8 p.m. on June 26 and June 28, respectively, at the April 16 Square in Khanh Hoa Province. The events will be broadcast live on VTV8 and relayed by participating local radio and television stations.
Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Pham Van Thuy said the festival would not only strengthen solidarity among Cham communities but also provide participating localities with an opportunity to promote their cultural identity and tourism potential.
He also suggested recognising artisans and community members who have made significant contributions to preserving Cham culture and supporting local socio-economic development.
Nguyen Long Bien, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa provincial People's Committee and head of the organising committee, said the province is reviewing all festival programmes, ceremonies and logistical arrangements to ensure the event runs smoothly and welcomes large numbers of participants and visitors.
He added that accommodation, transport and service prices would also be carefully managed during the festival.
Meanwhile, Thuy stressed that preserving cultural heritage should go hand in hand with creating sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minority communities.
She said the festival would provide an opportunity for localities to introduce their distinctive products and cultural assets while encouraging tourism that benefits local communities and protects traditional values.
The event also supports the implementation of the Politburo's Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture in the new era, which identifies culture and people as key drivers of sustainable development.
Organisers expect the festival to raise awareness of cultural heritage, strengthen cultural exchanges among Cham communities and promote their unique traditions in Vietnam./.
