Quang Tri’s International Hot Air Balloon Festival is expected from 27 to 30 November 2026 at Quang Tri Citadel and the Hien Luong–Ben Hai Special National Relic. Pair the festival with a few unhurried days exploring the province’s heritage, landscapes and local flavors.

Festival dates and locations

The festival is part of Quang Tri’s Culture and Tourism Week, scheduled for 24–30 November. The latest provincial update places the balloon festival from 27–30 November at two sites: Quang Tri Citadel and the southern bank of the Hien Luong–Ben Hai relic. The programme is planned, so visitors should allow for possible updates. Daily activity times, ticketing and participation arrangements have not yet been specified.

Rather than trying to visit both sites in a rush, leave room in your schedule to enjoy each setting. The Citadel offers a reflective introduction to Quang Tri’s history, while the Hien Luong–Ben Hai area brings the story of the 17th parallel and national reunification into view.

A celebration among Quang Tri’s historic landmarks

At Quang Tri Citadel, colorful balloons will bring a new focal point to a place remembered for its wartime past. Visit with time to walk around the heritage site and take in its quiet, solemn atmosphere before the festival activity begins.

At Hien Luong–Ben Hai, the river and historic bridge create a different backdrop. Here, the festival’s open skies meet a landscape shaped by the story of a once-divided country and its reunification.

A relaxed itinerary around the festival

Begin in Dong Hoi during the wider Culture and Tourism Week. The opening programme is planned for the evening of 24 November at Ho Chi Minh Square. You can add a gentle city walk around the Nhat Le riverside and the Mother Suot monument to the day.

From 27 to 30 November, make time for the festival at Quang Tri Citadel. A slow visit around the citadel grounds adds context to the day and gives you a chance to experience the site beyond the balloon displays.

If your schedule allows, continue to Hien Luong–Ben Hai as a separate stop. Take in the bridge and river landscape, then enjoy the festival atmosphere at the southern bank. Keeping the two heritage sites on separate legs makes the trip feel less hurried; check the final daily programme before choosing which day to visit each one.

Leave a little room for a local meal and an unplanned pause along the way. With a flexible schedule, Quang Tri’s late-November events can be part of a richer journey through the province’s history and everyday life.