At 8:00 AM on May 24, the final round of the 19th Bac Ha Traditional Horse Racing Tournament will be held at the Central Stadium of Bac Ha Commune

At 8:00 AM on May 24, the final round of the 19th Bac Ha Traditional Horse Racing Tournament will be held at the Central Stadium of Bac Ha Commune.

The festival officially opens at 8:00 AM on May 23 with the 2026 Summer Festival opening ceremony, combined with the qualifying round of the 19th Traditional Horse Racing Tournament. This signature event honors a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and brings together outstanding horse riders from both inside and outside the province.

Later that day, at 2:00 PM, the Tam Hoa Plum Festival will open at the square of the Hoang A Tuong Mansion, featuring exhibitions, competitions for the most beautiful plums, fresh plum tastings, and activities celebrating one of the White Plateau’s most famous specialties.

At 7:30 PM, Bac Ha Cultural Market will transform into a lively festival space with traditional folk performances, the sounds of the khen and flutes, and a wide range of unique highland cuisine.

A special highlight of the festival will be the mass “Gay Sinh Tien” dance performance by 1,000 students, aiming to set a Guinness World Record. This symbolic event is expected to honor the region’s unique cultural identity while broadly promoting the image of Bac Ha and its people to both domestic and international visitors.

On May 30, visitors can immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of Bac Ha Buffalo Market from 8:00 AM, tour the Hoang A Tuong Mansion, and experience traditional embroidery, weaving, and beeswax painting on brocade with Mong, Dao, and Phu La artisans. The journey also offers opportunities to explore Nui Coc Mountain, visit Ban Pho 2C Village, and discover the beauty of local highland life.

At 3:30 PM, the May weekly horse racing finals will take place at the Central Stadium, delivering more thrilling competitions. Starting at 7:30 PM, Bac Ha Cultural Market will once again host folk art performances, cultural exchanges, and traditional culinary experiences.

On May 31, visitors continue exploring Bac Ha Cultural Market, visit the Hoang A Tuong Mansion, enjoy traditional brocade demonstrations, ride horses across the Na Hoi grasslands, and check in at the hydrangea flower hill in Ngai Ma Lung Tru Hamlet, a destination currently attracting large numbers of tourists.

From May 23 to 31, the experiential program “A Day as a Highland Farmer” will take visitors to strawberry gardens in San Bay Hamlet, Tam Hoa plum orchards in Na Hoi, Na Ang, and Na Kim villages, and the Bac Ha Fruit and Vegetable Research and Production Center. Here, visitors can learn about local farming practices, harvest produce by hand, enjoy fresh fruits, and gain insight into the region’s distinctive agricultural models.

The Bac Ha Summer Festival 2026 is a harmonious blend of sports, culture, cuisine, and hands-on experiences. More than just a celebration of the unique cultural identity of the highlands, it is also a wonderful opportunity for visitors to discover the charm of Bac Ha, the “White Plateau”, where rich cultural traditions and breathtaking natural landscapes come together.