The Vibrant River Festival: Ho Chi Minh City’s Waterfront Celebration
The vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh came alive as the second River Festival kicked off on Friday evening. The festival, hosted at the iconic Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Wharf and Saigon Cruise Port, promised an unforgettable experience for all who attended. With the stunning riverside backdrop, the event celebrated the city's rich cultural heritage and offered a unique perspective on its vibrant present and future. It was a celebration not just for the locals but also for visitors, creating memories by the river that would last a lifetime.
Ho Chi Minh City’s waterways, rivers, and canals are a cultural treasure, and their unique essence has been pivotal in the city’s tourism growth. The Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Wharf and Saigon Cruise Port come alive with the Ho Chi Minh City River Festival 2024, a vibrant celebration of the city’s river culture.
The festival kicked off on Friday evening with a grand outdoor opera, ‘The Story of a River Season 2 – The Legendary Voyage,’ performed by over 1,000 artists. This captivating performance, divided into five chapters, intricately wove together history, cinematography, and entertainment to narrate the journey of Saigon – Gia Dinh – Ho Chi Minh City, a land defined by its waterways.
The grand opening of the second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival at Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Wharf and Saigon Cruise Port, May 31, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre
The opening ceremony was a spectacle, with cutting-edge technologies like 3D mapping, water screens, drones, and boat parades creating a vibrant celebration of river culture. Artistic fireworks displays added a breathtaking touch to the evening.
A mesmerizing performance at the opening ceremony of the second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, May 31, 2024. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre
The festival also featured an enticing cuisine space on Le Loi Boulevard, offering visitors a taste of typical dishes, cakes, fruits, and products from the river region. With 24 booths, this culinary journey lasted three days.
From June 4-10, the festival will present a fruit-themed week, ‘Tren Ben Duoi Thuyen’ (On the Wharf – In the Boat), showcasing the cultural richness of the southwestern waterways region. There will be cultural and artistic performances, a culinary contest, a river swimming competition, stand-up paddle-boarding races, and thrilling displays featuring water motorcycles, parasailing, and sailboats.
A culinary journey at the second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, May 31, 2024. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre
Additionally, over 50 waterway tours will be offered at discounts of up to 60%, making this annual celebration even more alluring. The festival promises an immersive experience, with folk dances, captivating opera scenes, and breathtaking visuals that celebrate the city’s rich river heritage.
A vibrant firework display at the opening ceremony, as captured by spectators with their smartphones. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre
A mesmerizing dance performance at the opening ceremony. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre
A stunning view of the opening ceremony from the other side of the Saigon River. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre
A folk dance performance at a cultural space before the opening ceremony. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre
Another breathtaking view of the ceremony from across the river. Photo: Thanh Hiep / Tuoi Tre
Spectators enjoy the cup dance before the opening ceremony. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre
A captivating scene from the outdoor grand opera. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre
A stunning performance during the opening ceremony. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre
A unique perspective of the opening ceremony from across the river. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre
Spectators enjoy the opening ceremony via large screens at the Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Zone in District 1. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre
Kites add a touch of color to the opening ceremony. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre
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"In a bustling week for diplomacy, Vietnam's Prime Minister meets with Laos in Kunming, while the State President prepares for a packed itinerary, including the APEC Economic Leaders' Week and visits to Chile and Peru. Ho Chi Minh City also takes center stage, strengthening ties with Cambodian localities. Meanwhile, Vietnam's tourism sector shines, welcoming over 14 million foreign visitors in just ten months, a remarkable milestone."
