From Hai Phong’s festival street art to international cultural exchange
These days, both Hai Phong residents and visitors are truly living and breathing in the atmosphere of the Red Flamboyant Festival.
Where tradition meets modernity
On the evening of May 9, the area in Hai Phong’s central flower garden became a special cultural gathering spot for both residents and visitors as a series of traditional art performances took place right in the heart of the pedestrian street. Melodies of cai luong, xam and ca tru blending with the vibrant red flamboyant flowers created an artistic atmosphere that was both intimate and rich in cultural depth.
Amid the rhythm of modern life, traditional folk arts are no longer confined to conventional stages but are being brought into open public spaces, making them more accessible to audiences. Large numbers of local people, international visitors and young audiences stopped to enjoy the performances and capture memorable moments of the festival season.
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Meritorious Artist Kim Oanh from the Hai Phong Traditional Theatre’s Cai Luong troupe said that bringing traditional arts to the streets not only enhances the festival’s appeal but also helps bring Vietnamese cultural arts closer to the public, especially younger generations. According to her, when performances take place in open community spaces, audiences can more clearly feel the beauty and vitality of traditional art in contemporary life.
Ms. Lai Thi Hue, a visitor from Hung Yen Province, shared her excitement at experiencing Hai Phong’s unique festival atmosphere for the first time. She said she was most impressed by how artistic performances were organized right in the city center, creating both a welcoming and lively atmosphere unlike many other festivals she had attended before.
The festival’s spirit of international cultural exchange also spread strongly into local schools. At Nguyen Van To Primary School, the Bujihwa art troupe from South Korea delivered an energetic music exchange program featuring modern drum performances, traditional melodies such as “Arirang,” and familiar K-pop songs. Their lively performances quickly received enthusiastic responses from students of Nguyen Van To Primary School and Ngo Quyen Secondary School.
In response, teachers and students from the school also presented performances showcasing distinctive Vietnamese cultural traditions, creating a warm, open and highly connected atmosphere. The 2025 - 2026 academic year marks the fifth year Nguyen Van To Primary School has implemented its Korean language program for students. Maintaining the program not only helps students access a foreign language but also contributes to strengthening friendship between the younger generations of Vietnam and South Korea, while building more “soft bridges” for international cultural exchange.
Igniting new aspirations
As has become a familiar tradition, every festival season in May, the City Theater Square and the central flower garden area come alive with vibrant activities. This year, however, the series of events also reflects Hai Phong’s long-term vision for cultural development.
Mr. Le Trung Kien, member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee for the Red Flamboyant Festival 2026, emphasized that this is the first time the central flower garden and City Theater Square have been transformed into diverse spaces dedicated to history, culture, cuisine and music, recreating an image of Hai Phong that is both culturally profound and modern, dynamic and internationally integrated.
The artistic activities held here are not only meant to honor heritage values but also aim to turn the area into “an attractive destination for exploration and cultural experiences for residents and visitors every weekend.”
A new highlight of this year’s festival season is the open-space concept, allowing residents and visitors to fully immerse themselves in artistic activities. At the “Past and Present” culinary space, visitors can enjoy Hai Phong’s local specialties alongside culinary delights from South Korea, Japan and China — countries that share strong investment and cultural ties with the city.
The art programs were also carefully designed to blend tradition with modernity. Audiences could experience traditional forms such as xam singing, cheo and ca tru alongside hip hop, DJ performances, zumba and international acts. This fusion created a vibrant cultural picture of a youthful city that still preserves its deep cultural identity.
In the second quarter of 2026, Hai Phong is set to launch several major projects related to cultural, sports and tourism development, including a plan to build Hai Phong into a “City of Music.” The initiative is considered an important step toward the city’s ambition of joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of music in the near future.
From street performances to lively international cultural exchanges, the Red Flamboyant Festival 2026 is shaping a new cultural identity for the Port City.
More than simply a celebration of flamboyant blossoms, the festival has become a season of connection, creativity and global integration — a place where every resident and visitor can truly feel the youthful, open and energetic spirit of Hai Phong today.
Hai Hau