On the evening of July 17, the Opening Ceremony of the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 will take place at April 2 Square (Nha Trang Ward). In addition to the official opening ceremony, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the artistic program entitled “Colors of the Ocean – Reaching International Heights”, a performance that is both profound and vibrant, setting the tone for the festive atmosphere of the Sea Festival.
From Cultural Roots to Aspirations for Greater Heights
The first chapter of the opening program, “Convergence of Essence – Harmony with Mother Earth,” will bring audiences back to the cultural origins of Khanh Hoa, from ancient legends to the everyday life and traditions that have shaped generations of local people.
Scenes such as “The Sacred Origins,” “The Awakening Land,” and “Khanh Hoa – A Shining Beacon of Faith” promise a grand, colorful, and dynamic opening to the festival.
A performance of the traditional “Ho Ba Trao” chant during the preliminary rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony artistic program.
Following the opening protocol, the artistic program continues with Chapter Two, “Blue Symphony – The Radiance of the Pearl Bay.”
Audiences will immerse themselves in performances including:
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Song of the Fishing Villages
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Dance of the Blue Ocean
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The Coastal City
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Love by the Salty Sea
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The Shining Pearl Bay
These performances feature elaborate staging, sophisticated sound and lighting effects, creative props, and impressive choreography. More than 600 singers, artists, and performers, both professional and amateur, will participate, presenting songs and dances celebrating the sea, islands, and the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, which continue to thrive and develop.
Through these performances, audiences will gain a deeper appreciation of the values that the sea brings—not only as a priceless gift of nature but also as the source of life and inspiration reflected in fishermen’s chants, vibrant festivals, rich cuisine, and the open-hearted hospitality of the people of Khanh Hoa.
Chapter Three, “Aspiration for Greater Heights – A Glorious Era,” strongly affirms Khanh Hoa’s maritime vision, in which marine resources are closely linked with sustainable economic development, world-class tourism, high-tech industries, and modern logistics.
Drawing strength from its historical and cultural heritage, Khanh Hoa is transforming itself into a vibrant international gateway and a new growth pole for both the South Central Coast region and Vietnam as a whole.
This vision will be portrayed through performances such as:
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Dawn over the Coastal Land
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Radiant Khanh Hoa
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Festival Season in Khanh Hoa
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A Glorious Era
Awaiting Spectacular Performances
According to Ms. Nguyen Phuong Lam, General Director of the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026, the opening ceremony will feature performances by renowned Vietnamese artists including:
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Hoa Minzy
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Duc Phuc
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Dong Hung
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Rock singer Pham Anh Khoa
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Lam Bao Ngoc
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Nguyen Thu Hang
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Oplus Group
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Rapper RAMC
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Truong Thuy Duong
The event will also bring together more than 600 singers, artists, and performers from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, provincial art troupes, military units, youth unions, students, and international artistic delegations from South Korea, Laos, Russia, and Vanuatu.
The ceremony will further welcome the participation of several beauty queens and titleholders, including:
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Miss World Vietnam 2025 Phan Phuong Oanh
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1st Runner-up Miss World Vietnam 2025 Le Phuong Khanh Nhu
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Miss Grand Vietnam 2023 Le Hoang Phuong
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Miss National Vietnam 2024 Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Duy
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Miss Cosmo 2025 Yolina Lindquist
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Runners-up of Miss Cosmo 2024 and 2025
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Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2025 Nguyen Hoang Phuong Linh
Beyond the televised performances, audiences will also enjoy interactive performances by singer Hoa Minzy and cultural exchange performances by international art troupes.
A youthful and energetic performance during the preliminary rehearsal.
After an intensive period of preparation and rehearsals, the artistic program has already been reviewed by members of the Provincial Artistic Council and has received highly positive feedback.
Meritorious Artist and Dr. Hoang Minh Tam, member of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, commented:
“The opening artistic program has strong content and an attractive presentation, demonstrating significant investment by the organizing team. The maritime elements distinctly showcase the characteristics of Khanh Hoa through traditional practices such as Ho Ba Trao chants, Cham culture, Raglai culture, and other ethnic cultural identities within the province.”
Choreographer Nguyen Ai Quoc, Director of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theatre, also praised the program's cohesive structure, elaborate orchestration, and grand stage design, while suggesting that more real-life visuals and footage should be incorporated instead of AI-generated imagery to preserve the emotional continuity of the performances.
The Opening Ceremony artistic program promises to offer audiences an unforgettable evening filled with emotion and inspiration, ushering in a Sea Festival marked by memorable experiences and a message of entering a new era.
The Opening Ceremony of Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 will officially begin at 8:10 PM on July 17 and will be broadcast live on VTV1 – Vietnam Television, KTV – Khanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio-Television Station, digital platforms, and relayed by numerous media agencies nationwide.
The ceremony will also witness the official launch of the Khanh Hoa Digital Tourism Platform, jointly implemented by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Khanh Hoa Newspaper and Radio-Television Station. Residents and visitors will be able to access the platform by scanning QR codes or visiting:
http://www.dulichso.khanhhoa.gov.vn
Following the opening artistic program, a spectacular high-altitude fireworks display will light up the sky above Nha Trang Bay from barges anchored offshore near April 2 Square, creating a magnificent finale to the festival’s opening night.
