The six-day festival features a wide range of activities, including street performances, international cultural exchanges, sports and community folk dances, and traditional dances from Vietnam and other countries.
Visitors can also explore a trade fair showcasing distinctive products from Vietnam’s three regions, including products under the national One Commune One Product, or OCOP program. Other activities include an art exhibition, hot-air balloon displays, community exchanges and cultural activities.
The highlight of the festival is a two-night Gala, with each evening offering its own theme and artistic identity while aiming to connect cultures, promote the spirit of peace and strengthen international integration.
On Friday, the “Dien Bien Rendezvous” Gala creates a space for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, showcasing the distinctive identity of Dien Bien. On Saturday evening, the “Heritage in the Spotlight” Gala will offer a more youthful and contemporary experience as it explores the intersection of traditional cultural values and modern life through creative, energetic performances.
Together, the two Gala nights form a journey from tradition to modernity, and from local cultural identity to international exchange.
Tran Hai Ha, Director of the Dien Bien provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: “Dien Bien’s selection as the first destination for the festival carries special significance because the province was once a fierce battlefield and today it has become a symbol of peace, friendship and the aspiration for development. We hope that through the rhythms of folk dance and the diverse cultural colors of Vietnam and participating countries, the festival will create a genuine meeting place for different peoples and cultures. At the same time, we want to promote the image, people and destinations of Dien Bien to domestic and foreign visitors.”
The International Folk Song and Dance Festival 2026 is a platform for folk-dance enthusiasts and performers of community-based arts. It also offers an opportunity to showcase local cultural values in a more open and diverse setting, fostering connections among communities and cultures while spreading a message of peace, friendship and international cooperation.
