The 6th Cham Ethnic Cultural Festival, 2026

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan highly appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Khanh Hoa Province, and other localities in coordinating the organization of the 6th Cham Ethnic Cultural Festival with a larger scale and a richer, more diverse, and unique program, featuring representatives of the Cham people from 7 provinces and cities nationwide. These are practical activities with deep political, cultural, and social significance, meeting the aspirations and sentiments of the community while demonstrating the comprehensive attention of the Party and State toward the preservation and promotion of ethnic minority cultures, including that of the Cham people. Hosting the festival in Khanh Hoa this time holds special significance. Following its consolidation, Khanh Hoa has new space for development and is a convergence point for many historical and cultural relics, heritage sites, and maritime assets; it possesses significant potential in tourism, science and technology, energy, and the marine economy; and holds many advantages to harmonize heritage conservation with sustainable development, traditional identity with innovation, and local culture with the broader flow of Vietnamese culture. On that foundation, Khanh Hoa needs to leverage its role as a center for the preservation, research, and promotion of Cham culture in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands; continue to care for improving the material and spiritual lives of the people; and develop cultural models linked to sustainable livelihoods, community tourism, digital transformation, and cultural industries so that the values of Cham culture can become a resource for the socio-economic development of the province and the country.

The Vice President requested that all levels, sectors, and localities continue to deeply grasp the guidelines and policies of the Party and State regarding the development of Vietnamese culture and people, and the promotion of the strength of national solidarity in the new phase of the country's development. At the same time, it is necessary to comprehensively preserve and promote the cultural values of ethnic groups, including the Cham; research multiple solutions, apply science and technology, share international experiences, and leverage the roles of reputable individuals, religious dignitaries, officials, and artisans in preserving cultural heritage; link heritage conservation and promotion with socio-economic development to improve the material and spiritual well-being of the people; and promote the important role of the Cham people in contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new era.

In his opening remarks at the 6th Cham Ethnic Cultural Festival, Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung affirmed that holding the event in Khanh Hoa is a great honor for the province. Through this festival, we collectively affirm a very consistent viewpoint of the Party and State: All ethnic groups in the community of Vietnamese nationalities are equal, united, and respectful, working together to preserve and promote their cultural values; it is this diversity that creates the strength of Vietnamese culture. Our country is entering a new phase of development, setting goals for higher growth, promoting innovation, and strongly applying science and technology. However, the more we develop, the more we must preserve the values that make up our national identity. Because development is not only measured by growth rates, but also by the ability to maintain the values cultivated over many generations. This is the significance of the Politburo's Resolution No. 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture in the new era. The Cham people are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese national community. Through many generations, the Cham people have created, preserved, and passed down many unique cultural values, contributing to enriching the Vietnamese culture which is unified in diversity. What is precious is that these values are still being maintained by the community in their daily lives. The Cham people themselves are the subjects who create, preserve, and transmit these cultural values. The role of the State and local authorities is to accompany and create conditions for the community to continue promoting their positive values. Khanh Hoa Province will continue to focus on preserving and promoting traditional cultural values; caring for the team of artisans; supporting the transmission of knowledge to the younger generation; promoting the digitization of heritage; and linking cultural conservation with tourism development and cultural industries. Khanh Hoa will also continue to coordinate with central ministries, sectors, scientists, and the Cham community in the process of preparing the UNESCO dossier to recognize the intangible cultural heritage practice of “Worship of the Mother Goddess Thien Y ANa Po Inu Nagar” for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

At the opening ceremony, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan presented gifts to the participating provinces and cities; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded certificates of merit to 7 outstanding artisans from the 7 participating provinces and cities for their excellent achievements in preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the Cham people.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the art program “Shimmering Colors of Cham Culture,” which recreated the historical and cultural process of the Cham people through a three-act structure: Legends of the Cham People; The Essence of Cham Culture; and The Cham People in the National Flow. Act 1 introduces the origins of the Cham people through myths and legends passed down for thousands of years; Act 2 provides a vibrant picture of cultural values preserved and passed down through generations; and Act 3 portrays the Cham community in the era of innovation and integration, featuring outstanding individuals who have brought honor to their homeland in political and socio-economic fields, while asserting the position of the Cham community within the great national unity.

During the program, artists, singers, musicians, and dancers performed many unique songs, dances, and sketches such as: The Story of the Goddess Po Nagar - Mother of the Land, Hands and Will, as well as performances of Kate Drum festivals, Cactus in the Tower Land, Falling Rain at the Ancient Tower, and The Cham People Enjoy the Festival. The program featured performances by singers and artists such as Vo Ha Tram, Trong Tan, Hoang Bach, the MTV group, Chi Sol, and Tien Hung.

The 6th Cham Ethnic Cultural Festival takes place from June 26 to 28, serving as an occasion to honor the unique cultural values and traditional sports created, preserved, and passed down by the Cham community through many generations. It is also a festival of solidarity, exchange, meeting, and sharing among provinces and cities with large Cham populations.

Source https://baokhanhhoa.vn/goc-anh/202606/man-nhan-le-khai-mac-ngay-hoi-van-hoa-dan-toc-cham-lan-thu-vi-9567f76/