News Detail - Quang Tri Portal

An overview of the press conference

Leaders of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism chair the press conference

With the theme “From Memory to the Future - Quang Tri for Peace,” the event not only  honors the heroic values of history but also serves as a powerful declaration of Vietnam’s commitment to an era of reconciliation, integration, and sustainable development before the international community.

Attending the press conference were Nguyen Manh Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee. The event also attracted significant attention from hundreds of reporters and journalists representing domestic and international media organizations.

Opening the press conference, the organizing committee highlighted Quang Tri’s remarkable journey from one of the regions that suffered the greatest devastation and loss during wartime to a place of connection, reconciliation, and the promotion of a global message of peace. No longer a land scarred by the ravages of war, Quang Tri today is emerging with renewed strength and determination, driven by a vision of development founded on green growth, sustainability, and human-centered values.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Festival organizing committee, speaks at the press conference

In his keynote remarks at the press conference, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that Quang Tri’s organization of the Festival for Peace aligns closely with one of humanity’s most pressing shared concerns at a time when the world is facing numerous uncertainties and challenges. He noted that painful memories of the past should not be used to deepen divisions or resentment, but rather serve as a valuable spiritual foundation for fostering tolerance, promoting peace education, and building a future of sustainable development.

The festival is more than a cultural event; it represents Vietnam’s continued and meaningful contribution to the shared efforts of the international community to promote dialogue and enhance mutual understanding among nations and peoples.

Building on the remarkable success of its inaugural edition in 2024, the Festival for Peace 2026 has been elevated to a national-scale event, featuring a series of activities taking place from April through December 2026.

Journalists from domestic and international media outlets raise questions to the organizing committee of the Festival for Peace 2026

Hoang Xuan Tan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, noted that the centerpiece of the entire festival series will be the opening ceremony, scheduled to take place from 8:10 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. on July 4, 2026 (Saturday), at the Special National Relic Site of the Hien Luong–Ben Hai riverbanks, and is expected to be broadcast live on VTV1. The opening night will illuminate this historic setting through the use of cutting-edge performance technologies, creating a large-scale, multi-space live spectacle that connects the northern and southern banks of the legendary Ben Hai River via the historic Hien Luong Bridge. Among the most anticipated highlights of the ceremony will be the deeply moving Peace Bell-Ringing Ceremony, symbolizing aspirations for peace, followed by a spectacular artistic fireworks display that will light up the night sky.

Prior to the festival’s main events, several opening activities had already been held with great success. Among them was the Cycling for Peace Festival, which took place on April 18–19, 2026, attracting more than 500 domestic athletes and over 40 international cyclists. The event connected the Hien Luong–Ben Hai riverbanks and the Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri, promoting messages of friendship, peace, and healthy living. Another notable highlight was the Trinh Cong Son music night, “Mother – A Legend”, held on June 20, 2026, at Bao Ninh Square. The program celebrated compassion, solidarity, and social responsibility through the timeless songs of the renowned musician, whose works have resonated deeply with generations of Vietnamese audiences.

General Director Dang Le Minh Tri provides additional information on the opening ceremony, scheduled to take place from 8:10 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. on July 4, 2026 (Saturday), at the special national relic site of the Hien Luong–Ben Hai riverbanks

The festival’s upcoming activities will include a series of remembrance events, notably the candle-lighting ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of war invalids and martyrs day, to be held across Quang Tri Province, and the floating lantern ceremony on the Thach Han river on the evening of July 26, 2026. These events will offer meaningful opportunities to honor those who sacrificed for the nation while reflecting on the value of peace. In November and December 2026, the festival atmosphere will reach new heights with the vibrant International Hot Air Balloon Festival and the National Concert, a grand musical celebration that will use the universal language of music to connect friends and audiences from around the world.

In addition, the festival will feature a wide range of accompanying events, including the Phong Nha Wild Trail, which conveys a message of harmony between humanity and nature; the Quang Tri Amazing Marathon international race; an exhibition of works by renowned artist Le Ba Dang; and a series of activities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Khe Sanh coffee brand, a source of pride for the region.

From the perspective of cultural sector management, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong highly commended Quang Tri Province’s determination and proactive approach in organizing the festival. He emphasized that the ministry would work closely with the province to ensure the highest artistic standards for every event, with the goal of developing the Festival for Peace into a distinctive national cultural brand. The festival, he noted, would contribute to the implementation of Vietnam’s cultural development strategy and enhance the country’s cultural “soft power” on the international stage.

The press conference attracted significant attention from hundreds of reporters and journalists representing major domestic and international media organizations

Far beyond a space of remembrance, the organizing committee affirmed that the festival also opens up significant geo-economic and socio-economic opportunities. With its strategic position as a gateway to the East–West Economic Corridor (EWEC), Quang Tri is leveraging this occasion to promote trade, enhance investment connectivity, and position historical and spiritual tourism as a powerful driver of economic growth, thereby laying a solid foundation for the National Tourism Year 2027.

Concluding the press conference, a representative of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee affirmed that all relevant agencies would be instructed to ensure optimal conditions for domestic and international media to operate efficiently. From the steadfast land of Quang Tri, a heartfelt invitation was extended to people across the country and friends around the world-not only to reflect on the past, but also to together illuminate a vision of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for the future.

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