Visitors burn incense at Con Son pagoda in the Con Son-Kiep Bac Special National Relic Complex.

Following the inscription of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Special National Relic Complex as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site last July, this year’s festival has been significantly upgraded with several new and distinctive activities.

Highlights include a 12-day Culture, Tourism and Trade Promotion Week, a ceremony marking the 741st anniversary of the Van Kiep victory over the Yuan invaders, and a ritual to pray for blessings.

In addition, the 2026 “Con Son, Kiep Bac - Journey of a World Heritage Site” half marathon is expected to attract around 800 runners.

Another highlight is the commemoration of the 692nd anniversary of the passing of Huyen Quang, the Third Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhism.