Dong Nai to host Vietnam's largest hot-air balloon festival

The Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on Wednesday announced the 2025 Dong Nai Pottery and Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The festival, which features two major parts: the Hot-Air Balloon Festival and the Pottery Festival, will run for four days, from April 27 to 30.

The Hot-Air Balloon Festival will be held at Son Tien Ecotourism Park in Bien Hoa City and cost VND14 billion (US$538,188), which is planned to be sourced from the private sector.

Fifty hot-air balloons symbolize the 50 years since Vietnam’s reunification.

Visitors will enjoy free entry to the festival and can participate in hot-air balloon rides reaching heights of up to 50 meters and explore the interiors of the hot-air balloons.

A highlight of the festival will be the mesmerizing lantern night show, during which all hot-air balloons will be illuminated like giant lanterns, casting a magical glow over the Dong Nai River with a lively music background.

The festival will also feature paragliding displays, ultra-light aircraft performances, and large-scale artistic kite flying.

Running concurrently with the hot-air balloon festivities will be the 2025 Dong Nai Pottery Festival, held at the province’s conference and event center and using the provincial budget.

At the Pottery Festival, visitors will have the opportunity to admire artistic ceramic works from Bien Hoa and other renowned pottery villages across Vietnam, including Thanh Ha in central Quang Nam Province, red pottery from southern Vinh Long Province, Bau Truc in south-central Binh Thuan Province, and southern Binh Duong Province.

The event will also include workshops on preserving and developing traditional pottery in a globalized world, as well as creative competitions in logo design and photography focused on traditional ceramics.

The festival will feature cultural exhibitions, folk games, international exchanges, and art competitions. These programs aim to create a diverse and engaging cultural space for the community.

According to Bui Thanh Nam, deputy director of the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the festival will not only promote tourism but also boost related sectors such as catering, accommodation, and entertainment.

It will present a valuable opportunity for Dong Nai to connect with domestic and international partners in cultural, trade, and tourism sectors, helping to stimulate local economic growth.

Van Huu Dong, deputy director of the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade, assured that security plans have already been developed, with police and military forces taking the lead in ensuring public order.

The department has also instructed market surveillance teams to monitor prices and accommodation services to ensure the festival runs smoothly.

A representative from Son Tien Ecotourism Park confirmed that the venue can accommodate up to 100,000 visitors at once, with sufficient parking and security arrangements in place.