Festival expected to draw 500,000 visitors, boost lotus industry in Vietnam's Dong Thap

Held under the theme ‘Come Listen to the Lotus Tell Its Story,’ the festival will take place from June 18 to 21 at Van Mieu Square in Cao Lanh Ward, Dong Thap.

Nguyen Hung Trang, Party secretary of Cao Lanh Ward, said on Friday that the festival is being funded primarily through private sector resources and sponsorships.

“Through this festival, we hope to strengthen supply-demand connections and enhance the value of the lotus industry,” Trang said.

“At the same time, we aim to promote the cultural values of Dong Thap and its people, closely linked to the lotus, which has long been an integral part of the province’s identity and heritage.”

He added that the event is also expected to stimulate trade, services, and tourism in Cao Lanh Ward and neighboring areas.

The festival will officially open on June 18 with an artistic performance themed around the festival’s slogan.

Other highlights include the launch of the Lotus Road attraction and a dedicated lotus culinary experience area serving visitors.

For the first time, the festival will feature a large-scale hot-air balloon showcase with 34 balloons, including 18 displayed on the ground and 14 taking flight.

Two paragliders will also participate in aerial performances. Another major attraction will be a parade involving 1,500 women dressed in lotus-themed ao dai, Vietnam’s traditional long dress.

Organizers said the festival will feature seven ongoing activities and 19 scheduled events throughout the four-day celebration.

Key programs include cultural and musical performances, a conference connecting suppliers and buyers of lotus products and Dong Thap’s OCOP (One Commune One Product) goods, a hot-air-balloon lantern night, and immersive spaces dedicated to lotus culture and cuisine.

The festival is part of Dong Thap’s broader efforts to promote its lotus-based economy while showcasing the cultural significance of the flower, which is widely regarded as a symbol of the province.