The autumn festival of Sa Pa ward in the northwestern province of Lao Cai opened on August 23 evening with an art programme celebrating the 12th conference on cooperation among Vietnam's Lao Cai, Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, and China’s Yunnan province along the economic corridor.

A performance staged as part of the art programme at the opening of the autumn festival of Sa Pa ward in Lao Cai province on August 23, 2026.

The opening ceremony brought together officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Kunming, China, and authorities from Yunnan province, as well as delegates from Hanoi, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

Representatives of associations, businesses, academies and universities were also present, alongside Lao Cai leaders and thousands of local residents and visitors.

In his opening remarks, Standing Vice Chairman of the Sa Pa People’s Committee Dang Viet Dung said the festival is one of the highlights of the four seasons festival series held in the Sa Pa national tourism area, promising a vibrant cultural space featuring a range of distinctive activities, including the first northwest brocade carnival and recreations of the highland market and Sa Pa love market.

This year’s autumn edition is being held in celebration of the 12th conference on cooperation among the five provinces and cities along the economic corridor. 

The event is of particular significance in strengthening their exchanges, connectivity and cooperation in investment, trade, tourism and culture.

It also serves as a vivid demonstration of the spirit of collaboration, connectivity and shared development between the Vietnamese localities and Yunnan.

With the goal of turning Sa Pa into an internationally recognised resort tourism hub, comprehensive measures are implemented to develop local infrastructure, improve service quality, preserve cultural heritage and protect the environment.

The ward aims to welcome more than 12 million visitors by 2030, gradually affirming its position as a leading destination in Vietnam and the region.

Hanoi opens international martial arts festival

The event attracts about 2,000 martial artists of 66 delegations, including seven international delegations from six countries, namely Indonesia, Russia, France, Germany, Switzerland and Morocco.

Yen Tu autumn festival returns with more cultural, wellness experiences

Now in its second year, the festival builds on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025 and aims to establish "Yen Tu – The Meditative Hues of Autumn" as Quang Ninh's signature cultural – tourism brand.

Vietnam attends multicultural festival in Germany as guest of honour

The Vietnamese booth attracted a large number of visitors with traditional dishes such as "nem cuon" (fresh spring rolls) and "bun cha" (grilled pork with vermicelli), along with displays of ao dai (traditional long dress), conical hats and cultural performances imbued with Vietnamese identity. These activities helped spread Vietnamese culture and foster understanding and closer ties between the Vietnamese community, German residents and international friends.

Portugal crowned 2026 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival champion

The DIFF 2026 festival has been one of the most successful editions in its history. Over the past weeks, hundreds of thousands of visitors have flocked to Da Nang to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.

Bac Ninh wins top honour at national folk music festival

BAC NINH - Bac Ninh's art troupe won the overall Gold Medal at the 2026 National Folk Music and Singing Festival, which concluded in the central city of Hue.