Attending the opening ceremony were Đỗ Văn Chiến, Politburo Member and Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; leaders of central departments, ministries, and sectors; and representatives of localities with delegations participating in the festival.

On the side of Điện Biên province, participants included Trần Tiến Dũng, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Head of the provincial National Assembly Deputy Delegation; members of the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee, members of the Executive Board of the provincial Party Committee; the Standing Board of the provincial People's Council, leaders of the provincial People's Committee, the provincial Fatherland Front Committee; and leaders of provincial departments, boards, and sectors.

Delivering keynote directives at the Opening Ceremony, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Đỗ Văn Chiến commended and praised the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Điện Biên province, alongside coordinating agencies and units for organizing the 4th Hmông Ethnic Cultural Festival in 2026.

He affirmed that the festival holds important significance in honoring and spreading the fine traditional cultural values of the Hmông ethnic group, contributing to enriching an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, unified in diversity.

To continue preserving and promoting cultural values while creating tangible changes in people's lives, the Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested Party committees, authorities, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations to pay close attention to building a rich and diverse grassroots cultural life, elevating the spiritual well-being of the people; and focus on enacting policies to nurture and remunerate artisans - those directly safeguarding and transmitting folk cultural heritage to the younger generation.

Simultaneously, it is vital to strengthen linkages between cultural preservation and tourism development, effectively tapping heritage resources to create livelihoods, improve incomes, and raise people's standards of living. Cultural development must go hand in hand with consolidating national defense and security, building a steadfast posture of the people's hearts and minds, and promoting the strength of great national unity.

Appreciating the achievements recorded by Điện Biên province in socio-economic development, hunger eradication, and poverty reduction, the Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly recognized the locality's innovative approaches in tapping potentials and advantages, preserving ethnic cultural identities alongside eradicating backward practices, particularly child marriage and consanguineous marriage. He emphasized that majestic natural landscapes together with the distinctive cultural treasuries of ethnic groups serve as vital resources for Điện Biên to attract investment, develop tourism, and improve citizens' livelihoods.

Concurrently, he expressed confidence that ethnic communities in Điện Biên province in general, and the Hmông people in particular, will continue upholding solidarity, self-reliance, and resilience, preserving fine customs and traditions, actively engaging in labor, production, and study, and joining hands to build an increasingly prosperous, civilized homeland, stepping alongside the entire nation into a new era of development.

On behalf of the Party committee, government, and ethnic peoples of Điện Biên province, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Trần Tiến Dũng delivered a welcoming speech to delegates, artisans, performers, athletes, and visitors attending the festival.

He emphasized that Điện Biên is a heroic historical land where 19 brotherly ethnic groups live together, united and closely bonded across generations. The sounds of panpipes, flutes, vibrant costumes, and traditional festivals of the Hmông people represent precious cultural values, enriching a unified Vietnamese culture in diversity.

Implementing the Politburo’s directives on cultural and tourism development, Điện Biên province is striving to position its image as a destination of historical depth, cultural identity, and majestic nature. The province prioritizes linking cultural preservation with tourism development to generate sustainable livelihoods and elevate living standards so that the people are both the custodians and the beneficiaries of heritage; while concurrently awakening self-reliance and resilience to step alongside the nation into an era of national ascension.

Within the framework of the opening ceremony, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded Certificates of Merit to 11 outstanding individuals with significant contributions to preserving and promoting traditional Hmông ethnic culture. Among them, Điện Biên province saw Meritorious Artisan Giàng A Cu honored. In addition, Điện Biên province conferred decisions recognizing two tourist destinations: the A Pa Chải Flagpole in Sín Thầu commune and Tù Lu - Tìa Ló village in Pu Nhi commune.

Immediately following the formal ceremony, the special art program “Cultural Colors of the Hmông Ethnic Group - Convergence and Radiance” unfolded over nearly an hour, elaborately staged in a semi-epic format combining contemporary folk art with modern stage technology. The program comprised three chapters: “On the High Mountain Peaks,” “Cultural Colors of the Hmông Ethnic Group,” and “Convergence and Radiance,” vividly recreating the cultural life, customs, beliefs, and traditional festivals of the Hmông people; depicting devotion and faith in the Party and President Hồ Chí Minh, ethnic solidarity, and the aspiration to rise during the renewal period. Melodies of Hmông panpipes alongside art performances rich in cultural identity generated an exhilarating atmosphere, leaving deep impressions on delegates and visitors.

The 4th Hmông Ethnic Cultural Festival in Điện Biên province, 2026, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Điện Biên provincial People's Committee, gathers 11 delegations of artisans, performers, and grassroots athletes. The festival takes place over three days (October 9-11) featuring diverse cultural, artistic, interactive, and demonstration activities showcasing the distinctive traditional cultural values of the Hmông ethnic group.