This summer, anyone looking for a nearby international travel destination from Thailand with a short travel time and plenty of activities should consider Hong Kong Tourism (HKTB) as an attractive option.
Thairath Online invites everyone to experience the excitement with the Hong Kong Summer Fun campaign, bringing highlights that will brighten the summer season. Leading the events is the 2026 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival, transforming Victoria Harbour into a grand festival.
Starting as a small fishermen's competition in Shau Kei Wan in 1976, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival has grown into a world-class sporting event. To mark its 50th anniversary, Hong Kong Tourism is elevating the festival into a full-scale harbourfront celebration.
The main highlight is the world-class rowing competition held from 27 to 28 June 2026, featuring over 4,500 athletes from 220 teams across 16 countries competing on the water. This year is special as the Thai team, Dragon Boat Thailand, has been training intensively six days a week to compete against leading international teams.
Additionally, there is a prestigious trophy contest celebrating the anniversary for local fishermen, along with a champions-versus-champions match to determine the ultimate dragon boat king.
The excitement continues beyond the races. For 13 full days, from 19 June to 1 July 2026, the waterfront Avenue of Stars will be transformed into a lifestyle hub gathering chill-out enthusiasts and content creators alike.
Attendees can enjoy a food zone offering dragon boat-themed dishes and snacks while sipping cold drinks with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Photo enthusiasts will love four standout spots: a dragon boat design zone sponsored by a main partner, a 22-meter traditional wooden dragon boat, a photo collaboration area featuring Minions & Monsters, and a giant Coca-Cola bottle.
A bit further at Salisbury Garden, visitors can participate in rare cultural heritage workshops such as sugar blowing, making zongzi (rice dumplings), and fishing net weaving.
Especially on weekends and public holidays, the atmosphere livens up with live music, Wing Chun kung fu demonstrations, Chinese top spinning, and performances of the ruan and guzheng instruments. A highlight is a VR dragon boat paddling experience, allowing everyone to feel like a paddler, alongside a live broadcast zone for closely following the races.
For those planning a perfect summer trip to Hong Kong, detailed festival information is available on the Discover Hong Kong website, where you can also explore all Hong Kong Summer Fun events to prepare for an unforgettable trip.