In the journey of discovering the local values of Da Nang, visitors are not only drawn to large festivals or iconic landmarks, but also have the opportunity to touch the simple, everyday stories of riverside communities.
The “Cam Nam Sticky Corn Festival – Hoi An 2026” is one such event – where agricultural culture, cuisine and the rhythm of traditional village life are vividly recreated, offering visitors an authentic and close-to-life experience.
Touch the essence of the Cam Nam sticky corn craft
Taking place on 21–22 March 2026 (the 3rd and 4th days of the second lunar month, Year of the Horse) at Con Bap Field, Thanh Nam neighbourhood, Hoi An Ward, the festival honours the traditional corn-growing craft of Cam Nam residents – an agricultural practice that has long been associated with the fertile land along the Thu Bon River.
More than a community cultural activity, the event also opens up a distinctive tourism experience where visitors can gain deeper insight into local farming methods, daily labour and culinary creativity. From lush green cornfields to simple dishes rich in local flavour, every moment at the festival reflects the spirit of “Return to origin” – reconnecting with the genuine and rustic values of life in Central Vietnam.
A festival space rooted in agricultural culture
The festival begins with the Than Nong (God of Agriculture) worship ceremony at 07:00 on 21 March 2026 at the Than Nong Shrine. This traditional ritual expresses gratitude to nature and prayers for a prosperous harvest. With the participation of village elders and local residents, the ceremony reflects the enduring agricultural beliefs of the Hoi An community.
Later that afternoon, the opening ceremony at 16:00 at Con Bap Field brings a vibrant festive atmosphere with cultural performances, the symbolic drum-beating ritual and visits to exhibition booths showcasing local cuisine and traditional crafts.
A culinary journey inspired by corn
One of the festival’s highlights is the Cam Nam sticky corn culinary space, open from 08:00 to 22:00 on 21 March and from 08:00 to 11:00 on 22 March. Visitors can savour a variety of dishes made from corn such as grilled corn, roasted corn, stir-fried corn, sweet corn soup, corn desserts, corn patties and corn wine.
Alongside these are famous Cam Nam specialities including bánh đập (cracked rice paper with clams), hến trộn (baby clam salad), cao lầu, mì Quảng and bánh bèo, offering visitors a rich culinary experience rooted in local traditions.
These simple yet memorable flavours become a kind of “culinary language” telling the story of a riverside land shaped by fertile alluvial soil – where each corn season is not only a harvest but also a shared memory and pride of the local community.
Village experiences – Touch the rhythm of authentic life
The festival also offers a range of interactive activities for visitors. At the Cam Nam corn fields, local farmers will recreate the entire process of corn cultivation – from preparing the soil and planting seeds to nurturing and harvesting the crop – giving visitors a closer look at the dedication behind each season.
Visitors can take part in hands-on experiences in the fields, capture photos among the green corn rows, or join traditional folk games such as blindfolded pot breaking, ring tossing onto corn cobs and corn-eating contests. These joyful moments create opportunities for cultural exchange and memorable interactions between visitors and the local community.
In addition, the festival features traditional craft demonstrations and OCOP product displays, where artisans introduce typical crafts of Hoi An such as carpentry, lantern making, leather goods and handmade bags – forming a vibrant portrait of local craft village life.
A cultural experience in the heart of Hoi An
Set within the open landscape of cornfields by the river, the Cam Nam Sticky Corn Festival – Hoi An 2026 is not only a community celebration but also an invitation for visitors to explore the authentic values of Hoi An.
Amid the pace of modern life, the festival offers a different kind of travel experience – where visitors can touch the essence of traditional crafts, listen to the stories of local farmers and fully appreciate the beauty of Central Vietnam’s agricultural culture.
It is also a reminder that travel becomes truly meaningful when visitors do more than simply see a destination – they connect with the life, culture and stories of the place they visit.
Photo source: Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
