National Unification Festival at Hiền Lương - Bến Hải Both Banks Relic Site

The National Unification Festival (often highlighted by the "National Unification" Flag Raising Ceremony) is a revolutionary festival held annually at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Both Banks Special National Relic Site, Quang Tri province. The festival reenacts and honors the spirit of solidarity and resilient determination of the Vietnamese nation in the struggle for national liberation and unification. The main highlight is the solemn national flag-raising ceremony at the Hien Luong Flagpole, symbolizing the day the nation became one whole.

The festival is not only political and historical in nature, but also combines cultural, sports, and tourism activities, contributing to educating the younger generation and promoting local socio-economic development.

The National Unification Festival is held at the Hien Luong – Ben Hai Both Banks Special National Relic Site, marking a special historical period of the Vietnamese nation. Following the 1954 Geneva Accords, the Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge became a temporary military demarcation line, dividing the country into North and South for more than 20 years. Therefore, this place is not only a witness to years of separation, but also a symbol of the will for unification and the aspiration for peace of the entire nation.

In order to commemorate the great sacrifices of previous generations and honor the value of national unification day, Quang Tri province has maintained the organization of the National Unification Festival on April 30th every year. In years of special significance, the festival is organized on a large scale, attracting a large number of local residents, tourists, and delegations from across the country.

The festival holds many profound values:

• Educating historical tradition: Helping today's generations better understand the years when the country was divided and the journey to regain independence and unification.
• Paying tribute to heroic martyrs: Remembering those who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the cause of national liberation.
• Spreading the aspiration for peace: Affirming the value of peace, independence, and national solidarity.
• Promoting the image of Quang Tri: Contributing to introducing historical and cultural relics and promoting local tourism development.

Not only an important cultural and historical event, the National Unification Festival is also a reminder of the resilient determination and the desire for national unification that has become a strength throughout the history of the Vietnamese nation.

The festival is organized periodically on April 30 every year, coinciding with the anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Unification Day (April 30, 1975).

• Regular years: Organized locally (Quang Tri province).
• Milestone/Anniversary years: Usually on a larger scale, coordinated at the ministerial level.

For example: In 2025 (50th anniversary) and 2026 (51st anniversary), the Flag Raising Ceremony takes place on the morning of April 30 (or the nearest date), combined with many surrounding activities.

This is an ideal time for tourists to visit, as the atmosphere is both solemn and joyful, featuring many art performance programs.

The festival takes place at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Both Banks Special National Relic Site, located in Vinh Linh and Gio Linh districts, Quang Tri province.

Main spots:

• Flagpole on the north bank of Hien Luong Bridge (where the Flag Raising Ceremony takes place).
• Hien Luong Bridge (restored length of 183.65m).
• Ben Hai River.
• "Aspiration for Unification" monument cluster on the south bank.
• Exhibition Hall "17th Parallel and the Aspiration for Unification".
• Historical ferry terminals (Cua Tung, Tung Luat...).

The relic site is located right on National Route 1A, about 60km north of Dong Ha City, very convenient for tourists traveling from Hue, Quang Binh, or other Central provinces.

The National Unification Festival is organized with many meaningful activities, harmoniously combining solemn commemorative rituals, cultural and artistic programs, and community activities, contributing to reenacting the nation's heroic historical milestones.

• "National Unification" Flag Raising Ceremony: The central ritual taking place at the Hien Luong Flagpole with the national flag hoisting ceremony, traditional rituals, and a special artistic program.
• Incense offering ceremony of gratitude: Organized at red heritage sites such as Truong Son Martyrs' Cemetery, Road 9 Martyrs' Cemetery, and Quang Tri Ancient Citadel.
• Traditional boat racing tournament: A unique sports activity on the Ben Hai River, attracting a large number of locals and tourists to cheer.
• Artistic programs: Song and dance performances, historical stage dramatizations, and exchange programs deeply imbued with traditional values.
• Exhibition of photos, documents, and artifacts: Introducing historical imprints associated with the struggle for national liberation and unification.
• Gratitude activities: Visiting and giving gifts to Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, wounded soldiers, policy beneficiary families, and people with merit to the revolution.

Through a diverse and meaningful series of activities, the National Unification Festival not only contributes to spreading historical values and patriotic traditions, but also becomes a unique cultural event, attracting a large number of tourists to Quang Tri every year.

The National Unification Festival at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Both Banks Relic Site is not just a cultural event, but also a journey back to historical roots, where every visitor can deeply feel the spirit of solidarity and the desire for peace of the Vietnamese nation. The festival ends, but the stories from the two banks of Hien Luong – Ben Hai continue to be told, heard, and remembered in people's hearts. This is not only a place marking division, but also a symbol of reunion and the aspiration for unification. For those who love history and want to feel the sacred atmosphere of a heroic era, the Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River tour is a journey worth experiencing and reflecting upon.