In Quang Ngai Province (Quang Ngai) in central Vietnam, the "Quang Ngai Tourism Festival 2026" opens on April 30, 2026. The venue is Pham Van Dong (Pham Van Dong) Square, and the period is about two months, from April to June 2026. A hot-air balloon show and cultural performances are planned as centerpiece programs, with a push to promote regional tourism.
Quang Ngai is still a little-known province for Japanese travelers, but it's actually a hidden gem for those in the know, offering all three travel elements of beach, history, and food. Let's dig into its appeal on the occasion of this festival.
What kind of place is Quang Ngai Province?
クアンガイ省はベトナムの南中部沿岸地方に属し、ダナンから南へ約130km、ホイアンからは約120kmの位置にある。2025年7月の行政再編で旧コントゥム省と合併した現在の人口は約216万人（合併前の旧クアンガイ省エリアのみでは約120万人）で、省都クアンガイ市を中心に農業・漁業が主要産業だ。
地理的には東に南シナ海（東海）を望み、西側は2025年7月の行政再編で同じクアンガイ省に統合された旧コントゥム（Kon Tum）省エリアのトゥルイスオン（Trường Sơn）山脈へと続く。こうした地形の多様性が、豊かな自然景観と独特の地域文化を育んできた。
The hidden appeal and highlights of Quang Ngai Province
My Khe Beach and the coastal nature
Quang Ngai Province's coastline runs about 130 km, dotted with several beaches. Among them, My Khe (My Khe) Beach is characterized by white sand and gentle waves, a resort spot beloved by locals. Note that it's a different place from Da Nang's famous My Khe Beach, so don't confuse them, but some say that because it's less touristified, its quiet and natural beauty are superior here.
Also, Ly Son (Ly Son) Island is a small volcanic island floating off Quang Ngai Province, with its selling points being clear waters and distinctive basalt terrain. Called "Vietnam's Hawaii," it has been gradually drawing attention in recent years. Its good access, about 30 minutes by speedboat from Quang Ngai Port, is another draw.
Son My Village Historical Park (My Lai)
One thing you can't leave out in speaking of Quang Ngai Province's history is the Son My Village Historical Park (Khu chung tich Son My). The site of the Son My village massacre that occurred during the Vietnam War in 1968 is now maintained as a historical park to pray for peace. As a place that provides an opportunity to think about war and peace while facing painful history, visitors are increasing, mainly Western travelers. For Japanese too, it's a valuable spot where you can experience Asia's modern history on the ground.
A distinctive local food culture
Quang Ngai's food fuses the spiciness particular to central Vietnam with fresh seafood. The local specialty "banh mi Quang Ngai" is a distinctive regional variation. Also, don't miss a soup dish resembling "bun bo Hue" that uses clear noodles, and charcoal-grilled seafood. Because it isn't touristified, you can easily encounter genuine "local food" at local markets and eateries.
The legacy of the Champa Kingdom
Around Quang Ngai, ruins remain from the Champa (Cham Pa) Kingdom that once ruled this land. Champa culture was strongly influenced by Hinduism, with a distinctive architectural style and sculptural culture. It's not as famous as the My Son ruins (a World Heritage site) near Hoi An, but with fewer people, you can enjoy the ruins at leisure.
Access and travel planning for Japanese travelers
Access to Quang Ngai
The easiest to access is a route starting from Da Nang International Airport. Head south from Da Nang by National Highway 1 or bus and you'll reach Quang Ngai City in about 2 to 2.5 hours. Also, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and others operate direct flights to Quang Ngai Airport (San bay Quang Ngai) from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The festival period (late April to June) falls in the dry season of south-central Vietnam, so it's a suitable time for sightseeing weather-wise too. However, from May onward temperatures rise, and daytime highs can exceed 35 degrees. Heatstroke precautions are essential.
Combining it with Da Nang and Hoi An
Few Japanese are likely to build an itinerary around Quang Ngai alone, but it's efficient to combine it as a one- or two-day extension of an itinerary visiting Da Nang and Hoi An. The southward route of Da Nang to Hoi An to Quang Ngai is highly polished as an indulgent trip distilling the diverse appeal of central Vietnam.
Points to note when attending the festival
The hot-air balloon show is easily affected by wind and weather and may be canceled or changed. We recommend checking official information on social media or the local tourism authority site right beforehand. Also, April 30 is Vietnam's "Reunification Day," a national holiday, so many domestic travelers are expected and crowding is anticipated.
For travel information on central Vietnam,the 5 best regions for Vietnamese coffeealso introduces the characteristics of each region. For planning a Vietnam trip overall,How many days do you need in Ho Chi Minh City?is a useful reference too. Also, for the coffee culture you can't skip during a Vietnam trip,the history of Vietnamese coffee and French influencelets you dig deeper.
Summary
The Quang Ngai Tourism Festival 2026 opens on April 30, 2026, and runs for about two months. With a hot-air balloon show and cultural performances as centerpieces, it's a chance to showcase to the world Quang Ngai, a hidden-gem destination offering beach, history, and food. Precisely because it's still unknown to Japanese, now can be said to be the chance to visit. Why not extend your trip there while visiting Da Nang and Hoi An?
