On the evening of June 18, at Van Mieu Square (Cao Lanh ward), the 3rd Dong Thap Lotus Festival 2026 with the theme "Returning to hear Lotus tell stories" officially opened in a vibrant and colorful atmosphere. The program is the opening highlight for the series of festival activities, while honoring the cultural, economic and tourism values of the lotus tree - a symbol of the Red Lotus Land.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Hung Trang - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Cao Lanh ward - affirmed that the Lotus Festival not only contributes to promoting the image of Dong Thap but also spreads unique cultural values, building the local brand "Meaningful - Dynamic - Creative".
Speaking to direct at the program, Mr. Pham Thanh Ngai - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee - emphasized that the festival is an opportunity to arouse pride in the homeland, promote the value of lotus trees in economic, cultural and tourism development, contributing to bringing the Dat Sen Hong brand to integrate and reach further.
The opening night marked two important events for the province's lotus industry.
The first is to announce the "Dong Thap" Geographical Indication for lotus products according to Decision No. 442/QD-SHTT of the Intellectual Property Office. Four protected products include fresh lotus seeds (silk lotus), fresh lotus flowers, fresh lotus roots and fresh lotus leaves.
On this occasion, the first 6 businesses were awarded the right to use geographical indications, opening up opportunities to improve the value and competitiveness of Dong Thap lotus products in the market.
Second, the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings) awarded a record certificate for the largest lotus mosaic artwork in Vietnam named "Nguyen Tat Thanh and his father Nguyen Sinh Sac - Before dawn (1911)" by painter Mai Van Nhon. The work is created from more than 15,000 lotus images, with dimensions of 8 x 14 m, an area of 112 m2.
Throughout the program is an elaborate art suite with the chapters: Opening, Lotus tells stories of land and people's love, Lotus tells stories of Dat Sen Hong reaching out and Lotus tells stories of integration reaching far, combining music, dance, visual projection and modern stage effects.
The special highlight of the opening night was the workshop "Drawing Ao Dai on Silk" and the performance of the Ao Dai collection "Lotus Confession" by designer and artisan Trung Dinh. The collection uses silk material dyed with handmade ombre, combined with accessories made from real lotus leaves, bringing a harmony of beauty between tradition and modernity.
The program also brings together many famous artists such as Vo Ha Tram, ST Son Thach, Thanh Ngoc, Tieu Minh Phung, Nguyen Duyen Quynh, Gin Tuan Kiet... and professional dance groups.
In particular, the ao dai performance has the participation of many domestic and international beauty queens and runners-up such as Miss Universe International 2024 Runner-up Mook Karnruethai Tassabut; Miss Universe Vietnam Ngoc Chau, Xuan Hanh; Miss Universe Vietnam Runner-up Hoang Nhung, Thuy Tien; Miss Peace Vietnam Le Hoang Phuong; Miss Peace Vietnam Runner-up Yen Nhi, Hanh Nguyen; Miss Tourism Vietnam Dinh Thi Hoa and Miss Global Vietnam Doan Hong Trang.
With a modernly invested stage, combined with LED screens, 3D projection technology, lighting effects and artistic fireworks, the opening night of the 3rd Dong Thap Lotus Festival in 2026 brought a unique art feast, leaving many impressions on a large number of people and tourists, and also opening the series of attractive activities of the festival in the coming days.
