Running from August 15 to September 2, the 2026 Dak Lak Durian Festival will feature a broad programme of large-scale cultural, tourism and trade promotion activities. Preparations are now being expedited across the board as the province gets ready for the major event. 

A highlight this year is a lineup of 15 featured activities, comprising seven key programmes directly organised by the provincial organising committee along with eight supporting activities jointly staged by agencies, organisations and local authorities. With opening day approaching, organisers are prioritising timely completion, high quality and seamless coordination across all preparations.

Young people capturing the moment during a durian auction organised by the Krong Pac Commune People's Committee.

At March 10 Square in Buon Ma Thuot Ward, the main stage for the opening ceremony is being installed as well as finalised at pace. Exhibition and promotional areas showcasing the provincial durian industry alongside signature OCOP products are also nearing completion at the Provincial Culture and Tourism Centre. A total of 142 participating entities have registered 310 booths.

The durian culinary festival, featuring 102 unique dishes, has completed its application for recognition as a Vietnam Record. Concurrently, a durian-themed promotional parade has successfully mobilised 500 pickup trucks alongside registered with Guinness World Records.

Mr. Tran Hong Tien, Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said agencies together with local authorities are working closely to complete essential preparations on schedule. Plans covering reception arrangements, traffic management, security, healthcare, fire prevention and firefighting, and contingency measures, are being reviewed and finalised to ensure a safe, well-organised festival.

Creating lasting value through the festival

The 2026 Dak Lak Durian Festival is expanding beyond its main venues, with activities spread across several localities in the province. The Tuy Hoa 2026 Run, alongside a National Day art programme and festival closing ceremony, will take place at Phu Yen Square in Tuy Hoa Ward. The expanded programme is expected to strengthen inter-locality ties while creating additional platforms for promoting the provincial image, culture and signature products.

In collaboration with the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Tourism Association has developed six tour frameworks along with eight one- to three-day experiential itineraries. Visitors will travel to major durian-growing areas, learn about cultivation and harvesting, then sample fresh fruit at orchards. The initiative is expected to lay a foundation for developing long-term agricultural tourism offerings.

Visitors touring an export-standard durian orchard in Krong Pac Commune.

Greater emphasis is also being placed on expanding product promotion and sales through e-commerce. Several localities with large durian-growing areas are planning livestream sales sessions throughout August.

A major trade promotion activity is the Durian Production and Market Linkage Forum, focusing on value-chain development, growing-area codes, traceability, quality standards combined with requirements in export markets. The forum is expected to strengthen business linkages, attract investment and raise long-term sustainable value across Dak Lak's durian industry.

Comrade Do Huu Huy, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and PPC Chairman, stressed that festival success should be measured by tangible outcomes, particularly broader consumer markets, stronger investment mobilisation as well as greate opportunities for cooperation among growers, cooperatives and businesses. Supply-demand linkages, trade promotion activities alongside meetings connecting importers with production areas should deliver substantive outcomes, he said, ultimately leading to commercial contracts and long-term partnerships.

Translated by HAI LOAN