2025 Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival to be held on a grand scale to celebrate newly recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site

On the morning of July 27, Tran Thị Hoang Mai, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, chaired a working session with the Management Board of the Con Son – Kiep Bac relic site to finalize preparations for the upcoming 2025 Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival.

The festival will feature major commemorative events, notably the 725th anniversary of the death of national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, a legendary military strategist, and the 583rd anniversary of the death of national hero and UNESCO-recognized world cultural figure Nguyen Trai, a scholar and poet who played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s history.

This year’s festival will also mark the official announcement of the inscription of the “Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes Complex” as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will be the first festival held following the recent local administrative reorganization and adoption of the two-tier local government model, making it a significant opportunity to showcase and promote the site’s outstanding universal value.

Director Tran Thị Hoang Mai emphasized that the recognition of Con Son – Kiep Bac as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a profound source of pride not only for Hai Duong Province but for Vietnam as a whole. She stressed the cultural sector’s duty to preserve and promote the heritage in ways that resonate with citizens and attract both domestic and international visitors. While the festival will feature new and innovative elements, it will remain firmly rooted in its traditional values and rituals.

Key Festival Highlights

The main events will take place on October 7, 2025 (the 16th day of the 8th lunar month) and include:

• The 583rd anniversary commemoration of Nguyen Trai, national hero and cultural figure.

• The official opening ceremony of the 2025 Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival.

• The formal announcement of the site’s UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

• The traditional and highly symbolic “Opening Seal Ceremony” of Saint Tran.

In addition to these core events, the festival will feature an extensive cultural and artistic program. A proposed highlight is a grand live art performance titled “Majestic Kiep Bac – Con Son,” featuring large-scale staging, artistic lighting, and dramatic effects—including sections of the stage built over the Luc Dau River—to create an immersive experience. Director Tran Thị Hoang Mai recommended careful scheduling of this performance to maximize attendance and impact.

She also directed the Management Board and relevant agencies to thoughtfully design festival spaces that vividly reflect the historical and cultural essence of Con Son – Kiep Bac while providing unique and memorable experiences for visitors. Additionally, cultural and artistic activities will be evenly distributed throughout the festival period, ensuring broad participation by both locals and tourists.

Tourism Development and Promotion

To leverage the festival’s momentum, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has tasked its specialized divisions to coordinate with tourism associations and travel agencies to develop new thematic tour programs connecting Con Son – Kiep Bac with other destinations within the newly inscribed UNESCO cluster. Proposed tours include:

• “One City, Two World Heritage Sites” – linking Con Son – Kiep Bac with related heritage sites.

• “One City, Five Heritage Landmarks” – offering a deeper exploration of the province’s rich cultural legacy.

A targeted promotional campaign will be launched through digital platforms, traditional media, and tourism networks to raise awareness of the festival and its heritage value, positioning Con Son – Kiep Bac as a premier cultural destination in Vietnam and the region.

Director Tran Thị Hoang Mai concluded: “Heritage must live in the hearts of the people. This festival is not only an occasion to celebrate our history but also an opportunity to connect it with contemporary audiences, inspiring pride and appreciation for our national identity.”