News Detail - Quang Tri Portal

Opening Ceremony of the Festival for Peace 2026 at the Special National Relic Site of the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Riverbanks

Attending the opening ceremony were Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister; members of the Party Central Committee; former leaders of the Government and former members of the Party Central Committee; representatives of central ministries, agencies and sectors; delegates from provinces and cities across the country; representatives of international organizations and foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam; and a large number of international friends.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang attends the ceremony

Representing Quang Tri Province were Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; members of the Provincial Party Executive Committee; leaders of the Standing Boards of the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People’s Committee and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province; former provincial leaders; veteran revolutionaries; Vietnamese heroic mothers; heroes of the people’s armed Forces; leaders of provincial departments, agencies and localities; as well as a large number of local residents and visitors.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang affirmed that for the Vietnamese people, peace is not only an aspiration but also a sacred value earned through immense sacrifices and the blood and lives of previous generations. On the land of Quang Tri -where many heroic chapters of the nation’s history are recorded - people are reminded even more deeply of the value of peace and their profound gratitude to those who devoted their youth and lives to the country’s independence, freedom, and reunification.

In a world still facing conflicts, instability and global challenges, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the message “Quang Tri for Peace” carries even greater contemporary significance. Viet Nam consistently pursues an independent and self - reliant foreign policy of peace, cooperation and development; remains a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible and active member of the international community; and continues to work with other countries to promote dialogue, enhance cooperation, uphold international law, and jointly build a world of peace, stability and sustainable development.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang speaks at the ceremony

The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated Quang Tri Province’s initiative in developing the Festival for Peace into a national-scale cultural event with growing international influence. From a land once heavily scarred by war, Quang Tri is today becoming a symbol of peace, friendship and aspiration for development, contributing to promoting the image of a peace - loving Vietnam that puts the past behind and looks toward the future.

In his opening remarks at the festival, Mr. Le Hong Vinh, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that the story of Quang Tri is not only the story of a locality, but also that of Viet Nam - a nation whose history has been shaped not only by patriotism and indomitable will, but also by an enduring aspiration for peace, compassion and a tradition of harmony.

Chairman of the Provincial People;s Committee Le Hong Vinh delivers remarks at the ceremony

The Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee affirmed that from the resilient land of Quang Tri, the province wishes to convey a sincere and proud message: no victory is greater than the victory of peace, no heritage is more precious than that of harmony, and no future is more sustainable than one built on dialogue, cooperation, respect and humanity.

With the theme “From Memory to the Future - Quang Tri for Peace,” the Festival for Peace 2026 is an occasion to commemorate and express gratitude to the fallen heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the nation and for the peace of humankind. It also serves to enhance exchanges and foster friendship and cooperation among nations and peoples.

Some highlights from the Opening Ceremony of the Festival for Peace 2026

Through a series of activities focused on commemoration, education, cultural exchange, artistic expression and people-to-people diplomacy, Quang Tri Province aims to develop the Festival for Peace into a distinctive cultural brand, contributing to affirming Vietnam’s role and position in promoting dialogue, enhancing mutual understanding, and joining efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous world.

In a message sent to the opening ceremony, Mr. Nayef Al-Fayez, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, emphasized that Quang Tri has transformed itself from a symbol of division into a symbol of reconciliation and peace. He noted that peace is not something taken for granted, but must be preserved and nurtured across generations, in line with the spirit of the UNESCO Constitution.

Some highlights from the Opening Ceremony of the Festival for Peace 2026

Immediately following the opening ceremony, a special art program was presented, consisting of three chapters: “Flow of Memory,” “Light of Peace,” and “World in Harmony.” Meticulously staged with a blend of traditional art forms and modern performance technologies, the program vividly recreated the historical depth of Quang Tri, while strongly conveying messages of peace, reconciliation, solidarity, and aspiration for development, leaving a profound impression on delegates, local residents and visitors.

A brilliant fireworks display lights up the sky during the opening ceremony night

The opening ceremony concluded with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the sky over the Hien Luong - Ben Hai area, accompanied by the song “Nối vòng tay lớn” (“Great Circle of Unity”) by the late composer Trinh Cong Son, spreading a message of peace, friendship and aspiration toward the future.

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