Information on Cultural and Tourism activities during the Lunar New Year 2026 in Hội An

The event series opens with the 10th Cẩm Hà Kumquat Festival, Hội An Tây 2026, held on January 28 - 29, 2026 at Trảng Kèo Lake. Activities include exhibitions showcasing the traditional kumquat-growing craft of Cẩm Hà, the food fair “Flavors of Spring,” displays of OCOP products and local agricultural specialties, and more. The festival honors the long-standing kumquat-growing tradition, encourages local farmers to sustain their craft, and introduces beautifully shaped ornamental kumquat trees symbolizing wishes for luck and prosperity in the Lunar New Year.

In addition, the Spring Flower Festival, taking place from February 9 - 16, 2026 in Hội An Ward, will become an attractive destination for spring outings, sightseeing, photography, and shopping, featuring vibrant displays of flowers, ornamental plants, and decorative flora.

The Lunar New Year Pole Contest, held from February 10 - 23, 2026, will take place at historical sites, communal houses, temples, family chapels, offices, schools, and residential areas across Hội An Ward, Hội An Đông Ward, Hội An Tây Ward, and Tân Hiệp Commune. Reviving the tradition of erecting bamboo poles not only recreates a distinctive folk belief practice but also evokes cultural memories and creates a festive atmosphere deeply rooted in community identity.

The Experiential Activities and Exhibition “Hội An’s Traditional Lunar New Year Space”, organized from February 9 - 13, 2026 at the Hội An Museum, recreates the atmosphere of traditional Tết markets. Visitors can explore exhibition booths and enjoy demonstrations of making traditional cakes and candied fruits, tea tasting, calligraphy writing, traditional shopping experiences, lantern making, mask painting, local cuisine tasting, and folk games. The program contributes to preserving and promoting Hội An’s unique customs and traditions.

On the night of Lunar New Year’s Eve, within the Ancient Town, the Spring Blessing Procession featuring folk singing and dancing artists, traditional eight-instrument ensembles, and the mythical Thiên Cẩu figure will parade through the streets, offering spring couplets to residents and visitors. The procession promises to spread joy, good fortune, and wishes for a peaceful Lunar New Year throughout the Ancient Town. Following the procession, at Hội An Park, the Lunar New Year’s Eve Art Performance featuring songs celebrating the homeland, the nation, the Party, and springtime will create a solemn, warm, and emotional moment marking the transition between the old and the new year.

At the sacred moment of Lunar New Year’s Eve, a high-altitude fireworks display will illuminate the sky over Hội An, symbolizing the passage into a new year filled with hope and optimism. Each burst of fireworks conveys wishes for peace, happiness, and prosperity, becoming not only an artistic spectacle but also a moment of emotional connection shared by the community.

Traditional folk festivals associated with craft villages and agricultural heritage, such as the Trà Quế Good Crop-praying Ceremony, the Kim Bồng Ancestors Ceremony and Kim Bồng Traditional Craft Village Festival, and the Cẩm Nam Glutinous Corn Festival, will continue to honor labor values, pay tribute to ancestors, and introduce local specialties that form the cultural depth of Hội An.

Alongside these rituals, a wide range of recreational, artistic, and folk activities will take place throughout the Tết holiday, including Bài Chòi folk games, blindfold pot-smashing games, traditional music exchanges, and Hát Bội (classical opera) performances at public spaces and heritage sites. Additionally, events organized by businesses and organizations, such as the Traditional New Year Market at Tân Thành Beach and the Light and Heritage Festival at Hội An Memories Island, will further enrich the festive atmosphere for visitors.

Continuing the cultural activities of the Lunar New Year, the Nguyên Tiêu Festival will be held from March 2 - 4, 2026 in the Ancient Town and surrounding areas. With a strong focus on community activities and spiritual practices, the festival contributes to preserving and promoting the Nguyên Tiêu Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage while highlighting the rich cultural and spiritual life of Hội An’s historic urban community.

The Lunar New Year Festival 2026 is expected to vividly recreate the full atmosphere of a traditional Tết, rich in spring colors, festive sounds, and the cultural depth of a town with a long history. Beyond celebrating the Lunar New Year, the festival reaffirms Hội An’s sustainable development path based on cultural values, where heritage is preserved through community life and continued through creativity. As a UNESCO Heritage and Creative Town, Hội An continues to position itself as a living heritage town, harmoniously blending tradition and modernity, where each festive season not only safeguards national cultural values but also spreads humanistic, open, and inclusive messages, enhancing Hội An’s standing on the regional and international cultural-tourism map.