Ulaanbaatar, July 12, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The National Naadam Festival continues into its second day, drawing crowds of domestic and international visitors to the Central Stadium and surrounding areas. MONTSAME spoke with some foreign tourists to share their impressions of Mongolia’s grand national celebration.

Many noted that the peaceful and warm atmosphere in which Mongolians celebrate the National Naadam Festival left a strong impression. They expressed that the opening ceremony, rich with traditional elements, beautifully reflected the unique cultural identity of the Mongolian people.

Here are the impressions of tourists from various parts of the United States, including Utah, Alabama, and Las Vegas:

Howard, a visitor from the State of Alabama, USA, has been living in Mongolia for two years. This was his first time witnessing the National Naadam opening ceremony, and he shared that among the “Three Manly Games,” he found the wrestling competition to be the most captivating.

Grant, a tourist from Las Vegas, USA, has been in Mongolia for one year. He said the most impressive part of the Festival for him was the performance by the mounted horsemen during the opening ceremony. He also mentioned that he finds traditional Mongolian clothing very comfortable and enjoys wearing a deel. “The attire of festivalgoers was truly stunning, and the khuushuur (fried meat dumplings) were incredibly delicious. Mongolia is truly a wonderful country,” he remarked.

Jamal, another visitor from the United States, shared, “This is my first time in Mongolia. I have met many wonderful people, sampled a variety of local dishes, and watched a wrestling match. The Naadam opening ceremony was unlike any other celebration I have seen around the world. The music, dance, and horse parade were deeply moving. Seeing people waving their national flags and celebrating with such pride was beautiful. Personally, I was most impressed by the young horsemen riding and performing in the parade. I have gained a much better understanding of Mongolian traditional attire, cuisine, and the three national sports — wrestling, archery, and horse racing.”

Tran Hong Han, a journalist from Vietnam, said, “This is my first visit to Mongolia. I am deeply impressed by the country’s natural beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and fresh air. I found the Naadam opening ceremony, which preserved and showcased strong national character, to be very appealing.”

Florent Gréder, who arrived from France just the day before, said he was unable to obtain a ticket to the stadium but still enjoyed the events unfolding outside. “The atmosphere was pleasant, and the crowd outside was not overwhelming, which made for a nice experience,” he noted.

“What I find fascinating is the way Mongolians approach this festival,” he continued. “People wear their traditional clothes, walk peacefully with warm smiles. It is truly touching and gives a sense of comfort. I am a fan of sumo wrestling, so naturally I find Mongolian wrestling the most interesting so far. Many top sumo wrestlers come from Mongolia, which must be because children begin training in wrestling from a young age. Watching the wrestling live and horse racing on a big screen has been exciting. I plan to tour Mongolia by bicycle over the next month. I believe I will gain even more lasting impressions during that journey, but even now, I am confident I will recommend this country to others.”

Around 8,500 foreign tourists have traveled to Mongolia to experience this year’s Naadam Festival.