At the opening ceremony of the "Returning to the Heritage Region of Bac Ninh 2026" Festival (Photo: VOV)

Running for 4 days until Tuesday, the festival features performances of intangible cultural heritage; an exhibition called “A Journey Through the Colors of Intangible Cultural Heritage Across Regions”; a thematic display introducing the World Heritage Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex; and an exhibition of traditional Vietnamese folk paintings.

A highlight was a ceremony to mark UNESCO recognition of the Dong Ho folk woodblock printing as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and recognition of the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Performances at the festival (Photo: VOV)

Pham Hoang Son, Chairman of the Bac Ninh provincial People’s Committee, said: “The inscription of the Dong Ho folk woodblock printing affirms its unique historical, cultural, and aesthetic value, and recognizes the efforts of generations of artisans and craft communities. It is a reminder of our responsibility to protect, restore, and promote this heritage in the face of contemporary challenges.”

Attending the festival, Pauline Tamesis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Vietnam, said the heritage recognition is a source of pride and also a commitment for Bac Ninh province to implement action programs to safeguard heritage, refine mechanisms and policies supporting artisans and craft communities, strengthen public awareness, and promote sustainable cultural tourism while enhancing regional connectivity.

She said: “The United Nations in Vietnam and UNESCO greatly value the efforts of the province and of Vietnam in general in safeguarding its cultural heritage and promoting culture as a driver of sustainable development. This is an occasion that reflects both the pride of the Kinh Bac region and the richness of Vietnam's cultural traditions. The Kinh Bac region has long been recognized as one of the cradles of Vietnamese culture. Here, heritage not only is reflected in historic architecture and sacred landscape, but has been transmitted through customs, traditional crafts, and spiritual life, elements that have shaped the identity of the community across generations”

The recognition of two heritage titles is a significant milestone for Bac Ninh, reaffirming the enduring value and global resonance of Vietnamese culture in the context of international integration.

The “Returning to Bac Ninh Heritage 2026” Festival bridges past and present, transforms heritage into a resource for development, and promotes the cultural identity of Kinh Bac to domestic and foreign visitors.