On the evening of July 17th, at 2/4 Square (Nha Trang Ward), the Provincial People's Committee held the opening ceremony of the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026, themed "Ocean Colors - Reaching Global Stage". Attendees representing the Party, State, central agencies, and various provinces and cities included: Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Ngo Dong Hai, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization; Nghiem Xuan Thanh, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission; Nguyen Khac Toan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of Hue City Party Committee, and Chairman of Hue City People's Committee; Ho Van Mung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of An Giang Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee; leaders of central ministries and sectors.
On the side of Khanh Hoa province, there were Mr. Tran Phong, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Ho Xuan Truong, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Lam Dong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Mr. Nguyen Khac Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province; Mr. Nguyen Long Bien - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Head of the Organizing Committee for the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026; members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; and leaders of provincial departments, agencies, and localities. Also attending the opening ceremony were leaders from domestic provinces and cities; representatives of diplomatic missions and foreign localities; former provincial leaders; and a large number of local residents as well as domestic and international tourists.
Delegates attending the opening ceremony (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan emphasized that Vietnam is a maritime nation with vast waters and an extensive coastline; the sea has not only served as a space for the nation's survival and development throughout its millennia-long history but also constitutes a strategically vital area for the cause of national construction and defense. She affirmed that Khanh Hoa embodies the quintessential values of Vietnam's seas and islands and possesses all the necessary conditions to become a modern marine economic hub, a center for high-quality marine tourism, and a crucial gateway for the country's international exchange. Over more than two decades and ten successful editions, the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival has transcended the scope of a local event to become a cultural, economic, and external relations event of national significance. With the theme "Colors of the Ocean - Reaching the Global Stage," the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 continues to honor and disseminate the unique cultural values of Vietnam's seas and islands, while promoting tourism, marine economic development, and international integration.
The Vice President urged ministries, sectors, and localities, particularly Khanh Hoa province and other coastal areas to fully grasp the strategic importance of the sea. She called for pioneering a green transition in the marine economy, harmoniously balancing exploitation with conservation while prioritizing the protection of the marine environment and ecosystems. She emphasized leveraging science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as driving forces to develop marine economic sectors in a modern, green, and smart manner, while firmly ensuring national defense, security, and sovereignty over Vietnam's seas and islands. Concurrently, efforts should be made to develop marine tourism into a key economic sector, boost regional linkages, and expand international cooperation.
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Viet Hung affirmed that to understand Khanh Hoa, one must start with the sea. The sea is the lifeblood of the region's existence, culture, and aspirations for development; it connects the various parts of Khanh Hoa. Stretching from Van Phong, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh to Vinh Hy and Ca Na, a coastline of nearly 500 kilometers and over 200 islands of various sizes open up vast development potential. This region is home to the "Land of Agarwood" and the cultures of the Cham and Raglai peoples; it boasts traditions such as Ba Trao songs, swiftlet nest harvesting, Bau Truc pottery, and My Nghiep weaving; and the sea connects the mainland to Truong Sa, an inseparable, sacred part of the province and the Fatherland, where soldiers and civilians safeguard maritime sovereignty day and night.
Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Viet Hung delivering the opening speech at Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung stated that the theme "Colors of the Ocean – Reaching Global Stage" reflects the province's chosen development path: to go far, one must preserve one's identity; to reach new heights, one must elevate standards in every endeavor. Khanh Hoa has chosen to rise from the sea while steadfastly preserving the ocean's blue waters. Every step of development must harmonize with nature and demonstrate responsibility toward the future. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that, while the Festival features over 40 cultural, artistic, sports, and tourism activities creating a vibrant, colorful atmosphere, the local people remain the central figures, the hosts, and the soul of the event; the smiles and hospitality of every resident will create beautiful memories of Khanh Hoa.
A colorful artistic performance at the opening ceremony of the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
The program features performances by many famous artists (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
The opening ceremony offered delegates, residents, and visitors a spectacular, vibrant artistic experience. Program has three parts "Convergence of Essence - Harmony with Mother land," "Green Symphony - The Shining Pearl Bay," and "Aspiration to Soar - A Brilliant Era"; the program vividly recreated the historical narrative, spanning from ancient legends to the daily lives of the coastal people, through a series of outstanding performances such as "Origins of Sacred Spirit," "Song of the Fishing Villages," "Dance of the Blue Ocean," "Brilliant Khanh Hoa," and "The Shining Gem Pearl Bay." Furthermore, the event showcased the locality's aspirations for development, integration, and global reach through elaborately staged artistic performances that harmoniously blended tradition with modernity.
Thanh Thanh