7th Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural - Tourism Festival Set for November 19–22
(DTO) Under the theme “Colors of Heritage,” the 7th Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural - Tourism Festival 2026 will take place from November 19 to 22 in Cai Be Commune, Dong Thap Province, featuring a wide range of unique cultural, artistic, tourism, and community-based experiential activities.
Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Huynh Minh Tuan has signed and issued the plan to organize the festival. Accordingly, the event is organized to contribute to preserving and promoting the architectural and cultural values of Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village, while enabling local residents to participate in tourism and strengthening the community’s role in sustainable heritage tourism development. Through these efforts, the historical and cultural values, as well as the image of Dong Thap’s land and people, will be broadly promoted to domestic and international visitors.
According to the plan, a number of promotional activities will be launched ahead of the festival, including a competition to design the Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village logo; the “Dong Hoa Hiep Moments” photo and video clip contest; and the “Village Gates Tell Stories” competition. Other highlights include the Famtrip program “Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village – From Heritage to Tourism Products,” alongside comprehensive media campaigns across newspapers, television, and social media.
The series of activities will also include a song and Vong co (traditional southern opera) composition contest themed “Dong Hoa Hiep – A Land of Memories and Affection,” chaired by the provincial Arts and Literature Association.
On the opening day, November 19, visitors can tour ancient houses, experience the "Heritage Flow" space, traditional craft villages, folk games, and traditional banh tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake) wrapping. They can also enjoy the Floating Market - “Flavors of the South” Culinary Space, open-air arts performances on the river, and the “Ancient Houses Light Up” night.
The opening ceremony will take place on the evening of November 19 at the An Loi Hamlet Cultural House. The program consists of welcoming art performances, an opening speech by the leadership of the Provincial People’s Committee, a video clip introducing Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village, the opening ritual, and an artistic fireworks display. The ceremony will be broadcast live.
On November 20, a keynote professional event will be the Seminar “Project on Preserving and Promoting the Artistic and Architectural Values of Ancient Houses and Ancient Villages Associated with Tourism Development,” held at the Ong Ba Duc Ancient House. The same day will also feature a reenactment of communal house worship rituals, the Cai Be “Cay Beo” (traditional floating market bamboo pole) Competition, experiential activities, and the “Youth with the Colors of Dong Hoa Hiep” Festival Night.
Beyond recreating traditional cultural activities, this year’s festival focuses on creating new products and experiences for tourists, connecting ancient house spaces with floating market culture, craft villages, cuisine, local products, and creative activities. Activities are structured to increase community participation, ensuring that heritage is not only preserved but also becomes a resource for local tourism and economic development.
The 7th Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural - Tourism Festival 2026 is expected to create an additional highlight for Dong Thap’s tourism, while spreading the values of a culturally distinctive Southern ancient village to a large number of residents and visitors.
By GIA KHIEM
Translated by X.QUANG
