On the evening of July 4, at the National Special Historical Relic on both banks of Hien Luong - Ben Hai, Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee coordinated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize the opening ceremony of the 2026 Peace Festival with the theme "From Memories to Future - Quang Tri for Peace".
Attending the ceremony were Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang, along with leaders of central and local ministries and branches, representatives of international organizations. A large number of people and tourists were present early to watch the opening night.
Speaking at the opening of the program, Mr. Le Hong Vinh - Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee said that the organization of the festival at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Banks is of special significance. This is a place that once witnessed the country being divided, great losses and sacrifices in the war, and is also a symbol of the aspiration for unification and peace of the Vietnamese nation.
According to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Quang Tri not only preserves sacred memories through historical landmarks such as Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Hien Luong - Ben Hai, Road 9, Khe Sanh, Road 20 Quyet Thang, Con Tien - Doc Mieu..., but is also proof of the strong vitality after the war. From a land heavily bombed, Quang Tri has gradually rebuilt, developed socio-economics, improved people's lives and built a new face on the foundation of peace.
In the context that the world still has many conflicts and instability, provincial leaders emphasized the message that Quang Tri wants to send to international friends: no victory is greater than the victory of peace, no heritage is more precious than harmony, and no future is more sustainable than the future built by dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect.
With the theme "From memories to the future - Quang Tri for peace", the festival is an opportunity to show gratitude to heroic martyrs, educate patriotic traditions, and strengthen exchanges, cooperation and connections with international friends. Quang Tri also sets a goal to gradually build the Peace Festival into a unique cultural brand, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam loving peace.
Immediately after the opening ceremony was a special art program elaborately staged with a real-scene stage combining music and multi-space performance technology on the banks and under the Ben Hai River, connecting the two North-South axes through the historic Hien Luong Bridge. The performances recreating the journey from war memories to the desire for peace left many emotions for the large audience present at the event.
Within the framework of the 2026 Peace Festival, there are also many outstanding activities such as the candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day and the lantern ceremony on the Thach Han River; painting exhibition by painter Le Ba Dang; hot air balloon festival; activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Khe Sanh coffee; international running race "Quang Tri Amazing Marathon"; national concert and many other cultural, artistic and tourism programs. The series of events will last until the end of 2026.
