Kate Festival of Lam Dong's Cham set for October 9-12
Lam Dong Deputy Culture Director Le Thi Truc Linh chaired an August 20 meeting in Phan Thiet Ward on plans for the 2026 Kate Festival.
At the meeting, Lu Thai Tuyen, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong Provincial Museum, outlined plans for this year's event. The Kate Festival is expected to run for 4 days, from October 9 to 12, 2026.
It will be held at two venues: the Po Sah Inu Tower historical site in Phu Thuy Ward and the Cham Cultural Exhibition Centre in Bac Binh Commune.
Expanded programme for the 2026 Kate Festival
Under the theme "Kate Festival - Preserving and Promoting Cham Cultural Heritage", the ceremonial programme will remain unchanged from previous years. The celebratory programme, however, will include more activities and distinctive Cham folk art performances.
Other activities will include the exhibition "National Treasures and Archaeological Traces of Cham Culture in Lam Dong" and a thematic exhibition entitled "Cham Cultural Heritage". The festival will also feature traditional craft demonstrations and Cham cuisine.
Notably, this year's event will include a Cham script writing contest, folk games and hands-on activities such as ginger cake making and pottery.
Meeting participants discussed plans for this year's event, which is expected to last 4 days instead of the usual 2.
Participants recommended expanding publicity among Cham communities across the province. This would encourage strong attendance and create a lively, festive atmosphere. They also proposed granting Cham people time off so they could participate fully in all festival activities.
Preserving Cham heritage and promoting tourism
Le Thi Truc Linh, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the festival must be dignified, safe, cost-effective and efficient.
Following the merger, the expanded Lam Dong Province is home to 49 ethnic groups with diverse cultural identities. She therefore stressed the need to preserve and promote the cultural values of all communities. The Kate Festival will be organised in that spirit.
In response to concerns that Cham people do not receive time off for the Kate Festival, the department acknowledged the proposal. It will report the matter to its director for submission to the Provincial People's Committee, with the aim of facilitating wider community participation.
The Kate Festival is held annually with the participation of Cham communities across Lam Dong. The event will retain its provincial scale. The Department of Grassroots Culture recently proposed that a ministerial-level Kate Festival also be organised at Po Sah Inu Tower. This would elevate the festival into a distinctive cultural tourism product for Lam Dong's Cham people. It would attract residents and domestic and international visitors while supporting the province's socio-economic development.
Le Thi Truc Linh, Deputy Director of the Lam Dong's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Accordingly, Le Thi Truc Linh asked the Press and Publication Division to coordinate with relevant agencies to strengthen festival promotion and media coverage. She also called for partnerships with tour operators to develop tours for domestic and international visitors. These tours would highlight the festival's significance and distinctive cultural values.
For the display of national treasures and artefacts at Po Sah Inu Tower during the two main festival days, she asked the Lam Dong Provincial Museum to prepare a detailed plan. The museum will coordinate with the Mui Ne Museum of Antiquities and the Lam Dong Provincial Police to ensure security throughout the exhibition.
The Kate Festival is a major cultural event receiving close attention and direction from the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee.
Le Thi Truc Linh asked the relevant communes and wards to complete the necessary preparations. They must promptly submit lists of participating leaders and members so the department can seek approval to establish the Festival Organising Committee.
These preparations aim to ensure the 2026 Kate Festival is carefully organised, dignified and safe. They will also reinforce the Cham community's central role in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.