Dong Thap Lotus Festival Opens under Theme “Come and Listen to Lotus Stories”

(DTO) On the evening of June 18, at Van Mieu Square, the Cao Lanh City People's Committee organized the grand opening ceremony of the 3rd Dong Thap Lotus Festival 2026 under the theme “Come and Listen to Lotus Stories”.

The opening ceremony honored the presence of high-ranking leaders and distinguished guests, including Mr. Le Minh Hoan, former Member of the Party Central Committee and former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Mr. Le Vinh Tan, former Member of the Party Central Committee and former Minister of Home Affairs; Mr. Le Quoc Phong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Phan Van Thang, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; and Mr. Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, alongside members of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairpersons of the Provincial People's Committee.

Delivering the opening address, Mr. Nguyen Hung Trang, Member of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Cao Lanh City Party Committee, and Chairman of the Cao Lanh City People’s Council, stated that following the success of the previous two editions, the 3rd Dong Thap Lotus Festival in 2026 continues to affirm its position as a signature cultural and tourism event of the province. Mr. Nguyen Hung Trang emphasized that the festival is not only an occasion to honor the unique values of the lotus plant and the province’s lotus industry, but also an opportunity to promote the image of the homeland and people of Cao Lanh and Dong Thap, while showcasing achievements in economic development, culture, tourism, and international integration to domestic and international visitors.

A key highlight of the opening night was the official announcement recognizing the geographical indication (GI) “Dong Thap” for Dong Thap Province's lotus products. This historic milestone firmly asserts the market position, brand identity, and premium quality of Dong Thap lotus products on their journey toward international economic integration.

The opening artistic program was structured into five seamless segments, taking audiences through a wide spectrum of emotions. Opening with an impressive LED-screen interactive dance performance and the song “Hon Thieng Dat Viet” (The Sacred Soul of Vietnam), the program recreated a heroic historical chapter. It expressed profound gratitude to ancestors, Deputy Laureate (Pho Bang) Nguyen Sinh Sac, and beloved President Ho Chi Minh through musical works such as “Nho On Cu Nguyen Sinh Sac” (Remembering Nguyen Sinh Sac), “Ho Dong Thap” (Dong Thap Lotus Chanting), and “Bai Ca Ho Chi Minh” (Song of Ho Chi Minh)...

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman Pham Thanh Ngai assessed that from a familiar plant of the fields, the lotus has gradually become a distinctive cultural asset of Dong Thap and is increasingly emerging as a new resource for the province’s green economic growth. The Chairman added that preserving and promoting lotus values not only contributes to safeguarding local cultural identity but also secures sustainable livelihoods, job creation, and development opportunities for local residents.

The 3rd Dong Thap Lotus Festival takes place from June 18 to 21, 2026, featuring a vibrant lineup of cultural, experiential, and trade promotion activities, promising to be an unmissable destination for visitors.

By Duong UT
Translated by X.QUANG