Quang Tri reviews 2024 festival efforts and outlines 2025 plans

The Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee early this month held a conference to review the organization of festivals and major events in 2024 and to outline plans for key celebrations and events in 2025.

Review of 2024 festivals and events

Speaking at the conference, Le Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, highlighted Quang Tri’s success in hosting major events in 2024, which left a lasting impact on both locals and visitors.Key celebrations included the 117th birthday of General Secretary Le Duan, the Thong Nhat Non Song Festival (Reunification of the Country Festival), and the 65th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Trail’s opening, alongside the tradition of the Truong Son Army. The province also celebrated the announcement of Dong Ha City’s recognition as a Grade II urban area.

Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, Ha Sy Dong, speaks at the conference. Photo: M.D.

Other notable events included the Vi Tuyen 17 – 17th Parallel – Aspiration for Peace Art Program, the Provincial Planning Announcement Conference for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, and the groundbreaking ceremony for Quang Tri Airport. The Journey to the Land of Fire Marathon also attracted numerous athletes from both Vietnam and abroad, boosting the province’s sports tourism sector.

The Peace Festival, held for the first time, featured a variety of activities such as Peace Cycling Day, the opening ceremony, and the Flavor of the Sunlit Land Cultural and Culinary Festival. Highlights included Trinh Cong Son’s Peaceful Melodies Music Night and the Peaceful Aspirations Art Program. These events attracted large crowds, raised peace awareness, honored war heroes, and celebrated cultural heritage.The total budget for festival activities in 2024 was VND60 billion (US$2.4 million). Of this, VND20 billion (US$800,000) came from the provincial budget, with the remaining VND40 billion (US$1.6 million) raised through socialization efforts. As a result, Quang Tri welcomed 712,600 visitors in July 2024, including 30,570 international tourists. Total social revenue was estimated at VND577 billion (US$23 million), with VND163 billion (US$6.5 million) from direct tourism revenue.

Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, Ha Sy Dong, presents certificates of merit from the Provincial Party Standing Committee to outstanding collectives. Photo: M.D.

Plans for 2025 events and festivals

In 2025, Quang Tri will host several major commemorations, including the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Hai Lang District on March 19 and the 118th birthday of General Secretary Le Duan on April 7, alongside the inauguration of the Le Duan Memorial Site.One of the most significant events will be the Thong Nhat Non Song Festival (Reunification of the Country Festival), celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam on April 30 and the 53rd anniversary of Quang Tri’s liberation on May 1. The festival will feature activities such as the National Flag Raising Ceremony at Hien Luong Bridge, the Traditional Boat Racing Competition, and the 66th Tien Phong National Marathon Championship.

Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, Ha Sy Dong, presents certificates of merit from the Provincial Party Standing Committee to outstanding collectives. Photo: M.D.

These events carry deep historical significance. They also serve as a platform to promote Quang Tri’s image, boost tourism, attract investment, and encourage cultural exchanges.

Enhancing festival organization and effectiveness

Acting Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Ha Si Dong commended all sectors for their contributions to the success of the 2024 festivals. Despite challenges, Quang Tri achieved significant socio-economic progress, with 14 out of 18 key economic indicators meeting or surpassing targets. The province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew by 5.97% compared to 2023, and per capita GRDP reached VND81.2 million (US$3,200).The inaugural 2024 Peace Festival greatly enhanced Quang Tri’s reputation, positioning it as a cultural hub for peace and a destination for international peace advocates. The event highlighted Vietnam’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, leaving a lasting impression on both domestic and international visitors.To sustain this momentum, Dong urged departments and agencies to align with the directives of the Central Government, the Provincial Party Committee, and the People’s Committee, while learning from past experiences. He stressed that festival planning should integrate key infrastructure projects that both commemorate historical milestones and drive local development.

Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, Ha Sy Dong, presents certificates of merit from the Provincial Party Standing Committee to outstanding collectives. Photo: M.D.

Dong called for innovation in festival organization, ensuring high-quality content and professional execution. The province will enhance tourism promotion, improve cultural offerings, and upgrade infrastructure. Additionally, efforts to build human resource capacity will be prioritized to accommodate large-scale events. Socialization efforts will continue, focusing on attracting resources from both domestic and international businesses and organizations.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Provincial People’s Committee, Le Thi Thanh, presents certificates of merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee to outstanding individuals – Photo: M.D.

Dong also emphasized the importance of recognizing and rewarding individuals and groups who contributed to the success of the festivals. He encouraged nationwide initiatives to celebrate historical anniversaries, linking them to the movement of Studying and Following the Ideology, Morality, and Style of President Ho Chi Minh.

The Provincial Party Standing Committee awarded certificates of merit to five collectives and six individuals. Additionally, the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee honored 28 collectives and 33 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the 2024 Peace Festival.

Minh Duc - Tung Lam