For many generations of Vietnamese people, a kite is not merely a rustic toy but a symbol that carries beautiful childhood memories in peaceful villages. It is the image of windy afternoons, with children running together across the fields, looking up at kites soaring high in the sky and listening to the whistling sound of bamboo flutes. Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, a folk kite festival held in a rural area has brought deep emotions to participants, helping adults rediscover their old memories while opening up an exciting outdoor play space for children.
Every summer, when the fields in Dien Dien commune enter the post-harvest stage, leaving behind a vast, expansive space, the Kite Festival is held as an annual cultural rendezvous. This year, the first Kite Festival in Dien Dien commune was organized on a grand scale at the fields of Dai Dien Trung village. Although the afternoon weather was not completely favorable, with light rain appearing at times and the wind direction changing constantly, the surrounding atmosphere was extremely vibrant, with local residents and tourists flocking in very early. The excitement of the festival spread strongly from the laughter and cheerful calls of families with young children who were excitedly preparing kite strings to catch the wind.
The highlight that made the festival truly overwhelming was the performance of about 10 artistic kite teams from various provinces and cities such as Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Ben Tre, and Buon Ma Thuot. A series of giant kites in all sorts of vivid shapes, such as colorful whales and octopuses, were successively pulled up to dominate the sky, weaving an impressive artistic tapestry in the countryside. Beyond just kite flying, the organizers cleverly integrated a community play area with folk movement games, creating a useful playground to enhance the mental well-being of children after stressful months of study. These simple, intimate moments not only preserve the traditional art of kite flying but also strengthen family bonds, leaving behind truly complete summer memories.
