After five seasons, the Belgian Cultural and Culinary Festival (B.Fest) makes its debut in Quang Ninh, centered around the theme "Heritage within Heritage". It transforms Quang Truong 30/10 (Ha Long Ward) into a gathering point for thousands of domestic and international visitors.

According to the organizers, this year's program marks an intersection of two UNESCO-recognized value areas: Belgium, with its intangible cultural heritage and culinary traditions preserved across generations; and Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage site.

"B.Fest 2026 embodies the spirit of an international cultural festival, set within the coastal city of Ha Long, creating a unique meeting point between human-cultivated values and natural beauty," the representative stated.

A moment at B.Fest 2025. Photo: Organizers

Music is a highlight of B.Fest 2026, featuring a blend of Vietnamese melodies and European electronic sounds. This year's stage will host Vietnamese artists alongside DJs from Belgium. The organizers announced that singer Ngo Lan Huong, along with international DJs Bram Delux and Alexa, will perform at the event.

"The artists will deliver a vibrant auditory feast, promising dynamic moments throughout the two-day event and bringing the spirit of Belgian-Vietnamese cultural exchange closer to the public," the organizers said.

Beyond the main stage, the organizers are launching "Passport Journey", an interactive exploration. Attendees will receive a Passport card upon entry and can immerse themselves in interactive game zones, enjoy culinary delights, and participate in creative workshops.

"Each stop will be marked with a stamp. After completing the required number of stages, players can redeem gifts from the program," the representative noted.

The Iconic Ship, inspired by Ha Long's red sailboats, is announced to appear for the first time at B.Fest. It will serve as both a check-in point and a venue for interactive games and bartender performances.

Fireworks created a highlight at B.Fest 2025. Photo: Organizers

The organizers are also introducing the "Belgian Beer Flavor Mascots" collection, inspired by Belgium's distinct beer flavors and tasting preferences. The collection features six characters and a special emblem, designed as unique representatives.

"Personifying Belgian beer flavors into characters for collecting and experiencing helps tell the cultural story in a more relatable way for younger audiences, while also creating more touchpoints between Belgian culture and modern entertainment language," the organizers' representative added.

B.Fest is organized by the Embassy of Belgium in Vietnam and the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (BeluxCham), in collaboration with the DEEP C industrial complex, and supported by Hateco Group.

This year's event is also supported by Technical Equipment and Services Consulting Joint Stock Company, Viwaseen, Global Information Technology Company, E-Teck, Trong Viet Hung, BIDV, Thieu Nien Tien Phong Plastic, Vi21 Media, Truong Phuc, Vietinbank, Minh Phuc, Tram Anh, Anheuser-Busch Inbev Vietnam Beer, Quang Huy Construction Company (Hoang Kim), Duc Nhan, Nguyen Lam Green Architecture, and Logico 18.5.

The program first launched in Hai Phong in 2019, then returned in 2022, 2023, and 2024, primarily at the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Labor Culture Palace. In 2023, the festival attracted over 7,000 people; in 2024, it welcomed over 6,000 guests. Last year, B.Fest moved to the Political-Administrative Center of Hai Phong City.

Hieu Chau

B.Fest 2026 takes place on 2-3/10 at Quang Truong 30/10, Ha Long Ward, Quang Ninh. See details here.