A major highlight of this year’s opening ceremony was the recognition of the Kim Lien Relic Site, which was awarded the First-Class Labour Order by the President of Vietnam and officially designated as a National Tourism Site.

Representing Party and State leaders, Politburo member and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Doan Minh Huan presented the First-Class Labour Order to the Kim Lien Relic Site. At the same event, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh handed over the official decision recognising Kim Lien as a National Tourism Site.

The recognition is regarded as a significant milestone for Nghe An in its efforts to preserve and promote the heritage values associated with President Ho Chi Minh while advancing sustainable tourism development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Thai Van Thanh, vice chairman of the nghe An provincial administration, emphasised that every May, millions of Vietnamese people turn their hearts toward Sen Village, the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh and a sacred place preserving memories of the beloved national leader.

“After more than 70 years of development, the Kim Lien Relic Site has become a symbolic ‘red address’ for educational and historical journeys across Vietnam. Its recognition as a National Tourism Site is expected to help improve tourism services, preserve heritage values, and develop experiential tourism products linked to Ho Chi Minh’s legacy,” he said.

The opening ceremony featured a large-scale semi-realistic art performance divided into three chapters, namely Lotus Blossoms on the Homeland, Footprints of an Era, and Eternal Fragrance.

The programme recreated President Ho Chi Minh’s journey from his childhood in Sen Village to his path seeking national salvation abroad, while highlighting the spirit of national unity and Vietnam’s aspirations for development in the modern era.

The performance gathered renowned artists alongside hundreds of actors, students, and children. The evening programme concluded with a 15-minute high-altitude fireworks display for residents and visitors.

Earlier the same day, T&T Group, in coordination with the Nghe An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, inaugurated a nine-tier waterfall project near the tomb of Hoang Thi Loan, the mother of President Ho Chi Minh.

Designed around a natural stream, the structure features nine interconnected water levels symbolising maternal love and the nurturing spirit associated with Sen Village.

The Sen Village Festival 2026 runs from May 18 to 30, featuring a wide range of cultural, artistic, and tourism activities. Through the festival, Nghe An aims to further promote the cultural, historical, and ideological values associated with President Ho Chi Minh while strengthening the province’s tourism image among domestic and international visitors.

Sen Village festival to celebrate President Ho Chi Minh’s 136th birthday

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s central Nghe An province plans to host the 2026 Sen Village Festival, a major cultural and political event marking the 136th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – 2026).