To celebrate and affirm the outstanding value of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, recently recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, and to promote the significance of Dong Ho folk painting - an intangible cultural heritage inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the Bac Ninh provincial People’s Committee is organising a ceremony to receive UNESCO’s certificate and launch the Returning to the Heritage Region – 2026” Festival.

Visitors tour the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Centre in Thuan Thanh ward.

The event carries profound political, cultural, and external relations significance, while offering an opportunity for Bac Ninh to promote its image and cultural identity and raise public awareness of heritage preservation linked with socio-economic development.

Within the festival’s programme, heritage exhibitions and performances are identified as key highlights, creating a multi-colour cultural space that connects the past with the present.

Truong Quang Hai, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said assigned units have thoroughly prepared for the activities with clear responsibilities and timelines, with many key contents already implemented on schedule.

At the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Centre in Thuan Thanh ward, from March 26 to 30, the exhibition “Vietnamese Folk Paintings and the Honouring of Dong Ho Paintings” will showcase works across diverse themes, from daily life and traditional customs to historical and resistance topics.

Staff of Bac Ninh Museum No. 1 prepare heritage displays for “Returning to the Heritage Region – 2026” Festival.

Visitors will gain deeper insights into printing techniques, colour-making processes, and the cultural life associated with the craft.

Meanwhile, at Bac Ninh Museum No. 2, from March 23 to early April, the thematic exhibition “Typical Antiquities of Bac Ninh Province” will display artefacts of historical, cultural, and artistic value.

In addition to museum collections, organisers have collaborated with collectors nationwide to supplement the display with valuable items.

During the same period, Bac Ninh Museum No. 1 will host an exhibition introducing the World Heritage site of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex.

At the provincial Culture and Exhibition Centre, a heritage display themed “A Colourful Journey of Intangible Cultural Heritage Across Regions” will highlight the diversity of heritage types nationwide.

It will also showcase ethnic minority cultures, including traditional costumes, musical instruments, handicrafts, local specialties, and OCOP (One Commune One Product) items.

In addition to exhibitions, the festival will feature performances of intangible cultural heritage at the provincial Culture and Exhibition Centre, with the participation of art troupes from across the country.

Audiences will enjoy traditional art forms such as Quan Ho folk singing, cheo (traditional opera), ca tru ceremonial singing, Then singing with the Tinh lute, and hau dong (ritual singing).

Art units such as the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theatre and Bac Ninh Cheo Theatre will present signature performances, vividly recreating the traditional cultural space of Kinh Bac.

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