First launched in 2003, the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival has become one of the most highly anticipated periodic maritime festivals in the country. The Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026, themed "Ocean Colors - Reaching Global Heights," runs from July 17 to 19, with a series of responding activities extending until August 10.
Over the past few days, a massive influx of domestic and international tourists has poured into Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. Travelers from Ho Chi Minh City, the capital city of Hanoi, and various provinces across the Central and Central Highlands regions have spontaneously gathered in the coastal city. On the morning of July 17, the streets were bustling with an endless flow of personal tourist vehicles. Flights arriving in Khanh Hoa during this period have also spiked significantly compared to regular days. Cam Ranh International Airport has become remarkably busy with travelers rolling their luggage, eagerly exiting the terminals to begin their journey of exploring the Land of Agarwood.
Beyond domestic visitors, numerous international delegations have made their way to Nha Trang, blending with the locals to create a colorful tapestry of languages and cultures right along the coastal streets. Some arrived a week early just to stroll along the beach, relax, and feel the rhythm of the city before the opening day; others extended their trips for a few extra days to fully immerse themselves in this special atmosphere that only happens once every few years. Ms. Nguyen Hoai Nhung, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: "Knowing that the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival was taking place, I planned a family vacation. Everyone is thrilled because we get to soak in the festive atmosphere, enjoy the cultural and artistic programs, and relax by the beach all at the same time."
By the afternoon of July 17, the festive energy was heating up along Tran Phu Street and the area surrounding 2 April Square (Nha Trang Ward). Central streets were beautifully decorated, competent forces were stationed to regulate traffic, and temporary parking lots were arranged to accommodate the growing influx of people and vehicles. Hotels, restaurants, and cafes in the area have become busier than ever. Hospitality and service establishments have boosted their staffing, spruced up their spaces, and finalized their preparations to serve the volume of guests expected to surge tonight and throughout the festival days.
Prominent hotels such as Novotel, Sheraton, InterContinental, and Hyatt Regency Nha Trang are hosting special buffet dinners tonight. Ms. Truong Ngoc Thuy Anh, General Manager of Novotel Nha Trang Hotel, noted that the hotel is organizing a buffet party so that guests can enjoy a fine dinner while taking in the opening night's fireworks display.
Intermingled with the bustling atmosphere is a feeling unique to the hours leading up to a major event—anticipation. Tourists can be heard asking each other about the schedule with shared excitement and curiosity. Some strolled around the square early just to catch a glimpse of the grand stage. Children eagerly asked their parents about the fireworks schedule, while adults adjusted their itineraries to ensure they wouldn't miss tonight's pivotal moments.
"I have been to Nha Trang multiple times, but this is my first time visiting exactly during a sea festival, so I am very excited. Tonight, I will watch the fireworks from my hotel," said Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung, a tourist who just flew in from Hanoi.
Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thị Huyen Tram, an overseas Vietnamese residing in France, shared: "My hometown is in Cam Ranh. In previous years, my visits back home didn't align with the festival. This time, when I read the news on Khanh Hoa Online Newspaper and learned that the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 would open on July 17, I immediately planned a trip back home combined with the festival experience. I booked a room at The Empyrean Hotel to watch the fireworks from above... I am eagerly looking forward to the opening ceremony tonight."
It is this vibrant motion—from the rushing buses and flights to the hotels glowing with lights through the night, the lively footsteps on the sidewalks, and the sparkling anticipation in everyone's eyes—that paints the most vivid picture of the Sea Festival, even before the opening music officially resonated. This stands as a clear testament to the allure of a hospitable Land of Agarwood, where every traveler from afar feels part of a grand celebration, forming a bridge that connects friends from all corners of the world from their very first steps.
The Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 features nearly 30 cultural, artistic, and sporting activities. Among them, the three "pillar" events are the Opening Ceremony and Art Performance; the Carnival Festival and Floats Parade themed "Nha Trang Sea Flowers"; and the Closing Ceremony paired with the International Music Festival themed "Khanh Hoa Welcomes Friends from Five Continents." For the locals and tourists currently in Nha Trang, the opening night is just the beginning of a long festive journey ahead to explore together.
According to Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the entire province boasts 1,441 accommodation establishments with over 70,500 rooms (primarily concentrated in Nha Trang and Bai Dai), meaning there is no fear of accommodation shortages. Initial assessments indicate that room occupancy across Nha Trang has surpassed 92% during the peak period of the festival. Hotels located on prime streets such as Tran Phu, Pham Van Dong, Hung Vuong, and Nguyen Thien Thuat have reached nearly 100% capacity. The Organizing Committee estimates that the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 will attract approximately 600,000 to 800,000 arrivals of locals and tourists throughout the event.
