Taking place from April 22 to 27 at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens on the occasion of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, the event serves not only as a tribute to ancestral roots but also as a platform to promote Vietnam’s cultural identity to international audiences.

With more than 100 booths dedicated to culture, arts, and cuisine on display, the festival reimagines the concept of “heritage space,” transforming the venue into a “living museum” where national legends are retold through the creative lens of younger generations.

Inspired by the Vietnamese origin myth of Dragon and Fairy Legend, the festival conveys a central message: heritage is not only preserved but should also “ascend” and evolve within modern life. The programme creates a dynamic intersection between tradition and innovation, national identity and global influences, targeting families, young people, and international visitors.

The festival is structured around three main zones, namely “Bach Viet Ascension,” “Ethnic Communities in Celebration,” and “Flavours Offered to the Ancestors.”

The “Bach Viet Ascension” zone (Bach Viet refers to ancient Vietnamese communities) highlights traditional cultural and spiritual values. Visitors can explore showcases of traditional Vietnamese costumes across historical periods, as well as experience distinctive rituals and performances.

The “Ethnic Communities in Celebration” zone emphasises interaction and creativity through exhibitions and immersive experiences. Highlights include a butterfly canopy installation inspired by recycled craftsmanship, a 20-meter lantern structure symbolising good fortune, and displays of historical armour and figures that bring history closer to the public in a vivid, accessible way.

A notable feature is the Dart Station, which offers a series of creative activities blending traditional arts with contemporary expression. Hands-on workshops such as traditional hat painting, clay sculpting, and weaving further encourage personal creativity, turning each participant into a storyteller of heritage.

The “Flavours Offered to the Ancestors” zone presents a culinary journey across Vietnam’s three regions, from specialties of Phu Tho (the ancestral land) to distinctive dishes from the North, Central, and South. Iconic foods such as banh chung and banh giay are showcased not merely as cuisine but as living cultural narratives.

Artisan Nguyen Tan Dat, who participates in the festival with detailed models of regional dishes, shared his aspiration to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural identity through creative representations.

“These works evoke memories of homeland for both international visitors and overseas Vietnamese, while conveying a message of cultural connection and belonging,” he told VOV.

Beyond cultural experiences, the festival also aims to stimulate tourism and reinforce Ho Chi Minh City’s image as a vibrant cultural destination. By creating a “heritage oasis” within an urban environment, the event fosters meaningful cultural exchange and offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature, community, and their roots.

The Dream Is A Snail to compete in Short Film Palme d’Or at Cannes Festival

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s Giấc Mơ Là Ốc Sên (The Dream Is a Snail) has been named for the Official Selection of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it will compete for the Short Film Palme d’Or.