The festival is held to commemorate the 1,058th anniversary of Dinh Bo Linh’s coronation as Emperor in 968 (968- 2026), when he established Dai Co Viet, the first centralized feudal state in the history of Vietnam.

The Hoa Lu Festival is an occasion to remember and express gratitude to the early emperors and ancestors who made great contributions to the cause of building and defending the country. At the same time, it helps promote patriotic traditions, strengthen national pride, and reinforce the spirit of national unity.

According to the plan, the Hoa Lu Festival 2026 will feature a wide range of activities that harmoniously combine solemn rituals with lively festive events. Traditional ceremonies such as the Temple Opening Ceremony, the Water Procession, the Bathing Ritual, the Incense Offering Ceremony, the Offering of Sacred Items, the Palanquin Procession, the Nine-Melody Ritual Dance, traditional worship ceremonies, and the Thanksgiving Ceremony will be conducted according to ancient customs at the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le.

Prior to the main festival, the Ceremony for National Peace and Prosperity and the Lantern Festival will take place on April 21, 2026 (the 5th day of the third lunar month), creating a sacred and solemn atmosphere for the festival season.

The highlight of the festival will be the Opening Ceremony, scheduled at 8:00 p.m. on April 25, 2026, at Dinh Tien Hoang Emperor Square. The program will be broadcast live on provincial television.

In addition to the ceremonial part, the festive section of the Hoa Lu Festival 2026 will include many cultural, sports, and traditional folk activities. These include community art performances, traditional chèo opera, and water puppet shows. Visitors can also enjoy folk games such as human chess, cockfighting, traditional card games, archery, and crossbow shooting.

Furthermore, several exhibitions and promotional activities will be organized, including tourism promotion for Ninh Binh, the art photo exhibition titled “The Scenic Landscapes of Ninh Binh,” displays of images and artifacts related to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and the Dai Co Viet state, and the introduction of traditional handicrafts and typical OCOP products of the province.

The Hoa Lu Festival 2026 is not only an important cultural and historical event of Ninh Binh Province but also an opportunity to promote and spread the unique values of the ancient capital region. It also contributes to boosting tourism development and enhancing the image of Ninh Binh among both domestic and international visitors.