Khanh Hoa to hold first-ever sea culture and tourism festival
The month-long event will take place from June 7 to July 9 in the coastal city of Nha Trang, promising a wide range of experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
A beach in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The People’s Committee of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on May 9 officially announced its inaugural sea culture and tourism festival, themed “Nha Trang say Hi!”.
The month-long event will take place from June 7 to July 9 in the coastal city of Nha Trang, promising a wide range of experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
It is expected to feature 36 standout cultural, sporting, and artistic events. Highlights include a traditional swiftlet nest festival on Hon Noi island, an agarwood festival at Ponagar Tower, and an international culinary fest in Tran Phu Park. A host of beach sports competitions are also planned, such as an international beach volleyball tournament, Sea Star Nha Trang open water swimming championships, and Victory Challenge Sailun Cup motorsport race, all expected to draw strong participation from athletes.
Other notable activities include international cultural exchanges, a vibrant carnival parade, and a marine stock release initiative aimed at replenishing aquatic resources and protecting the marine environment.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dinh Van Thieu noted that over the past 22 years, Khanh Hoa has successfull🃏y held 10 editions of the Nha Trang sea festival, establishing it as a local cultural and tourism brand. However, due to ev🤡olving circumstances, including ongoing administrative mergence guided by the central government policy, it has decided to suspend the signature event and introduce the new sea culture and tourism festival in its place.
At the Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa sea festival 2015 (Source: VNA)
The province wants to build a more specialised programme that focuses on promoting its unique culture and maritime tourism potential, Thieu explained.
Nguyen Van Nhuan, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said this year’s event marks a comprehensive refresh, not only in name but also in content and format, aiming to provide richer experiences for both tourists and local people.
Khanh Hoa targets 11.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025, includ⛦ing 5.2 million foreigners, and hopes to welcome over 1.5 million during the f🐠estival period alone./.
The 2025 Ponagar Tower Festival is taking place from April 16 to 22 in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, attracting thousands of visitors, including Cham ethnic communities from Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and the Central Highlands.
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Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
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Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
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The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
