A highlight of this year’s festival is the exhibition space titled “Journey of Colors of Intangible Cultural Heritage Representing Regions,” which goes beyond a conventional performance showcase to connect UNESCO-recognized cultural values and depict the diversity of Vietnam’s heritage landscape.

Hoa Nghiem Pagoda Tower, a highlight of the Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecological tourism complex, part of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

At the venue, residents and visitors are treated to a vivid “feast” of heritage, featuring traditional art forms such as Hue royal court music, Xoan singing from Phu Tho, Southern amateur music (Don ca tai tu), the Central Highlands’ Gong culture, Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs, and Then practices of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups. Each form carries its own cultural identity, yet together they blend into a unified whole, underscoring both diversity and resilience.

Dao Xuan Quy, Deputy Director of Lac Hong Theatre in Phu Tho province, expressed excitement at bringing Xoan singing, a heritage linked to the worship of the Hung Kings, to Bac Ninh.

“In addition to our appearance at the festival’s opening ceremony, we are presenting a programme of five to six representative Xoan performances, including both ancient melodies and newly developed pieces based on traditional foundations,” he said.

Traveling more than 1,000 km to the north, Meritorious Artist Lich Su, head of the Huong Tram Cai Luong troupe from Cao Van Lau Theatre in Ca Mau province, said the warm reception in Bac Ninh left a strong impression.

“As soon as we arrived, we felt the friendliness and hospitality of the local people. Our 29-member delegation is here to perform and showcase key cultural heritages from Ca Mau, especially Don ca tai tu,” he said.

Festival-goers can also experience the refined elegance of Hue royal court music, evoking the poetic landscapes of central Vietnam, while artists from Dak Lak province bring the spirit of the Central Highlands through resonant Gong performances that echo epic tales passed down through generations.

Amid such diverse exchanges, each heritage form acts as a “cultural ambassador,” fostering dialogue between traditions. This interaction contributes to the festival’s appeal, where past and present, tradition and creativity converge in an open cultural space.

Long regarded as one of Vietnam’s oldest cultural centers, Bac Ninh is home to a vast repository of both tangible and intangible heritage. Over thousands of years, the province has accumulated and preserved a rich cultural legacy. Recognizing the importance of heritage in social life, local authorities have implemented policies and solutions to both safeguard and promote these values alongside socio-economic development.

Beyond institutional efforts, the role of local communities and dedicated practitioners remains vital. Among them is People’s Artist Thuy Huong, a renowned Quan Ho performer who has devoted her career to preserving and passing on the tradition. For her, the journey of sustaining and spreading Quan Ho is not merely a profession but a mission and responsibility.

Quan Ho folk singing, an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, performed at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (a UNESCO World Heritage site).

“Every time I perform on major stages where many traditional art forms come together, I feel a special emotion,” she said. “What I value most is the audience’s love for Quan Ho. Whether in Vietnam or abroad, I see their attentive listening and genuine affection. That motivates me to continue preserving and sharing this heritage.”

She has also expanded her teaching through online platforms such as Zoom and TikTok, reaching learners of various ages and nationalities who share an interest in Vietnamese culture.

Going beyond a local event, the “Returning to the Bac Ninh Heritage Land – 2026” Festival affirms its position as a major cultural gathering, connecting and showcasing distinctive traditions from across the country.

The event not only promotes Bac Ninh’s land and people but also reflects the province’s commitment to prioritizing cultural development, preserving heritage and linking it with tourism growth.

Vivid hues across the Kinh Bac heritage land

BAC NINH – The northern province of Bac Ninh, long regarded as the cradle of Kinh Bac culture, is increasingly gaining attention through films, photography and music projects that highlight its rich heritage and rural landscapes, helping to bring local traditions closer to domestic and international audiences.

Heritage exhibitions, performances promote Kinh Bac cultural values

BAC NINH - A series of heritage exhibitions and performances within the framework of the “Returning to the Heritage Region – 2026” Festival not only honours the distinctive cultural values of the Kinh Bac region but also creates immersive spaces, bringing heritage closer to the public and visitors.

Quintessence of Kinh Bac culture shines with world heritages

BAC NINH- A ceremony to receive UNESCO certificate recognising Dong Ho folk paintings as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, announce the recognition of Yen Tu- Vinh Nghiem- Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes as a World Heritage Site and open the “Returning to the Heritage Land 2026” Festival will take place on March 27 evening at 3/2 square. 

The cultural lifeblood of Kinh Bac (Bac Ninh)

BAC NINH - If a thousand years of cultural tradition constitute the “genetic code” that defines the identity of Kinh Bac, then the cultural industries are the key for Bac Ninh to transform those values into a driving force for development in a new era. In a context where the creative economy is playing an increasingly important role in growth, culture serves not only as a spiritual foundation but also as a special resource capable of generating sustainable economic value.

Bac Ninh promotes tourism, stages Dong Ngu water puppetry at Spring Festival

BAC NINH – In an effort to boost tourism promotion linked with preserving and promoting traditional cultural heritage values, the Bac Ninh Center for Culture and Tourism Promotion will organize exhibitions, showcase craft village products and stage Dong Ngu water puppetry performances at six key historical and tourist sites across the province from late February through the end of April.