Thai Festival 2026 Kicks Off in Ho Chi Minh City with Cultural Flair
The 2026 Thai Festival has officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and Thailand. The two-day event welcomes visitors from 9am daily at Hồ Xuân Hương gymnasium in Xuân Hòa Ward. This year’s festival brings together 25 Thai and Vietnamese businesses and organisations. Booths showcase Thai fashion, traditional cuisine, and handmade products. Cultural performances and art displays also form part of the programme.
Wiraka Moodhitaporn, Royal Thai Consul-General in HCM City, explained that the festival’s theme, *Creative Life and Creative Heartbeats*, highlights both Thai traditions and modern innovation. The event aims to share Thailand’s rich heritage with Vietnamese audiences. Nguyễn Minh Nhựt, deputy director of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, noted that the festival offers locals and tourists a chance to experience Thai culture firsthand. He added that it also helps deepen connections between the two nations.
Running for two days, the festival provides a mix of entertainment, food, and cultural exchange. Organisers hope the event will foster greater understanding and cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand in the years ahead.
