Con Son–Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2026: Where History, Culture and Spirituality Meet.

From September 26 to October 4, 2026, the Con Son–Kiep Bac Autumn Festival will invite visitors to Hai Phong City for a vibrant celebration of Vietnamese history, spirituality, traditional rituals and cultural heritage.

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Held amid the peaceful mountains, rivers and ancient landscapes of the Con Son–Kiep Bac area, the festival offers travelers an opportunity to experience one of northern Vietnam’s most important historical and spiritual destinations while discovering the deep cultural traditions associated with some of the country’s most celebrated national figures.

A Festival Celebrating History, Culture and Spiritual Heritage

The Con Son–Kiep Bac Autumn Festival is among Hai Phong’s major traditional cultural events. It is closely connected with the worship of Saint Tran – National Hero Tran Hung Dao and the long history of the Con Son–Kiep Bac heritage area.

The site forms an important part of the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem– Con Son–Kiep Bac complex, which was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2025. The recognition highlights the exceptional historical, cultural and spiritual values of a heritage landscape that has played an important role in shaping Vietnam’s identity over centuries.

The 2026 festival will be the second edition held in its current format, continuing efforts to preserve traditional rituals while introducing visitors to the wider cultural significance of the heritage complex.

For travelers, the event is more than a traditional festival. It is an opportunity to step into Vietnam’s history, explore sacred sites, admire scenic landscapes and experience local customs through ceremonies, performances, traditional crafts and hands-on cultural activities.

Honoring Tran Hung Dạo and Nguyen Trai

A major highlight of this year’s festival will be the commemoration of the 726th death anniversary of National Hero Tran Hung Dao and the 584th death anniversary of Nguyen Trai, one of Vietnam’s most influential national heroes and cultural figures, who was also honoured by UNESCO as a world cultural personality.

Their legacies remain deeply connected with Con Son–Kiep Bac, making the festival an important occasion for visitors to learn about Vietnam’s history through the landscapes and monuments where these figures lived, worked, worshipped and were commemorated.

The combination of historical storytelling, sacred spaces and traditional ceremonies creates an immersive experience for visitors interested in Vietnamese heritage and culture.

Traditional Rituals and Memorable Festival Experiences

The festival programme will feature a series of solemn ceremonies and traditional activities reflecting the spiritual heritage of Con Son–Kiep Bac.

Among the key events are the seal-opening ceremony, the praying-for-peace ceremony and the atmospheric floating lantern festival on the Luc Dau River.

The lantern ceremony is expected to be one of the most memorable experiences for visitors. As illuminated lanterns float gently along the river, the event creates a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, connecting traditional beliefs with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Visitors can also discover a variety of traditional rituals that have been preserved and passed down through generations, offering a closer look at Vietnam’s rich intangible cultural heritage.

Discover Traditional Crafts and Hands-On Cultural Experiences

Beyond religious and historical ceremonies, the 2026 festival will provide visitors with opportunities to experience traditional Vietnamese culture through interactive activities.

The Truc Lam cultural space at Con Son and the heritage area at Kiep Bac have been refurbished to offer a broader range of cultural experiences, including:

•  Traditional calligraphy
•  Vietnamese tea tasting
•  Wheel-thrown pottery making
•  Woodblock printing
•  Water puppetry
• ? Traditional crafts and local products

These activities are particularly attractive to international visitors who want to experience Vietnamese culture beyond sightseeing. Travelers can observe traditional techniques, participate in hands-on workshops and discover locally made products while learning about the cultural stories behind them.

A Heritage Destination Enhanced for Modern Travelers

To make the heritage experience more accessible, information systems at the site are being upgraded. Heritage identification systems, QR codes and visitor information services will help travelers learn more about monuments, historical figures and cultural values as they explore the complex.

These improvements create a bridge between ancient heritage and modern tourism, allowing visitors to independently access historical information while exploring the site.

The festival is also being organised with a strong focus on visitor safety and service quality. Preparations include traffic management, fire prevention, medical services, environmental sanitation and tourism-service management, with the goal of creating a welcoming, orderly and hospitable environment for visitors.

Explore the Scenic Con Son–Kiep Bac Landscape

Located more than 70km from central Ha Noi, Con Son–Kiep Bac is an appealing destination for a cultural day trip or heritage journey from the capital.

The area combines mountains, forests, rivers, ancient temples and historical relics, creating a peaceful setting for sightseeing and pilgrimage. The natural landscape also adds to the atmosphere of the heritage experience, allowing visitors to combine cultural exploration with moments of relaxation amid northern Vietnam’s countryside.

Recognised as a Special National Heritage site in 2012, Con Son–Kiep Bac is associated with numerous important historical and religious figures, including Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa, Huyen Quang, Tran Hung Dạo and Nguyen Trai.

For travelers interested in history, spirituality and traditional Vietnamese culture, the destination offers a rich journey through different chapters of the nation’s past.

Part of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape

The significance of Con Son–Kiep Bac extends beyond the local festival. In December 2025, authorities from Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Bac Ninh held a ceremony to receive UNESCO’s certificate recognising the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem– Con Son–Kiep Bac complex as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The heritage complex represents an interconnected cultural landscape spanning several northern Vietnamese localities. Its outstanding value lies in the way it brings together historic monuments, spiritual traditions, Buddhist heritage, intangible cultural practices and spectacular natural landscapes.

For visitors, this makes a journey to Con Son–Kiep Bac part of a much broader exploration of northern Vietnam’s cultural heritage.

A Meaningful Autumn Journey in Northern Vietnam

The Con Son–Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2026 offers travelers a chance to experience Vietnam through its living heritage. From sacred ceremonies and floating lanterns to traditional crafts, calligraphy, tea culture and water puppetry, the festival brings together many elements of Vietnamese cultural life in one destination.

Whether you are passionate about history, interested in spiritual tourism, looking for authentic cultural experiences or simply seeking a peaceful autumn escape from the city, Con Son–Kiep Bac provides a fascinating destination to explore.

With the surrounding mountains and rivers providing a beautiful backdrop, the autumn festival is an ideal opportunity to discover the stories, traditions and cultural values that have shaped northern Vietnam for centuries.

 Festival dates: September 26 – October 4, 2026
 Destination: Con Son–Kiep Bac, Hai Phong City, Vietnam
 Highlights: Traditional rituals, floating lanterns, heritage exploration, calligraphy, pottery, tea tasting, woodblock printing, water puppetry and local crafts.

Source: Vietnam News.

Photos: Collected.