FESTIVALS IN VIETNAM
Vietnam National Festivals
Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán)
Honoring: Grandparent, Kin, and Ancestor.
Scale: Nation-wide.
Time: The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month of the previous year to the 3rd day of the first lunar month of the new year.
Feature: Biggest national festival – The whole people take part in.
Origin: Tết Nguyên Đán, more commonly known as Tet in Vietnam, is the most important and the biggest holiday in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year marking the arrival of spring based on the Lunar Calendar. In Chinese history, Tet originated from the 2852 to 2205 BC and was adjusted in each period. Before 1967, Vietnam takes Beijing’s time for the standard time of Lunar Calendar. In the 8 August, 1967, Vietnam’s government issued the policy to take the GMT +7 zone as standard. Since then, Tet is celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year, though Beijing is advantaged one hour.
CelebrationTet is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar (around late January and early February) until at least the third day. It is the first and foremost part of Vietnam’s traditional festival systems which holds the plentiful and profound contents in terms of ritual and festival. There are lots of customs practiced during Tet, such as visiting a person’s house on the first day of the new year, ancestral worshipping, wishing New Year’s greetings, giving lucky money to children and elderly people, and opening a shop.
Tết is also an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During Tết, Vietnamese visit their relatives and temples, forgetting about the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year.
Vietnamese people usually return to families during Tet. All the office, factory, school, and construction are subjected to be off for some day and be flexible in arranging their work during the holiday.
Honoring: Grandparent, Kin, and Ancestor.
Scale: Nation-wide.
Time: The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month of the previous year to the 3rd day of the first lunar month of the new year.
Feature: Biggest national festival – The whole people take part in.
Origin: Tết Nguyên Đán, more commonly known as Tet in Vietnam, is the most important and the biggest holiday in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year marking the arrival of spring based on the Lunar Calendar. In Chinese history, Tet originated from the 2852 to 2205 BC and was adjusted in each period. Before 1967, Vietnam takes Beijing’s time for the standard time of Lunar Calendar. In the 8 August, 1967, Vietnam’s government issued the policy to take the GMT +7 zone as standard. Since then, Tet is celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year, though Beijing is advantaged one hour.
CelebrationTet is celebrated from the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar (around late January and early February) until at least the third day. It is the first and foremost part of Vietnam’s traditional festival systems which holds the plentiful and profound contents in terms of ritual and festival. There are lots of customs practiced during Tet, such as visiting a person’s house on the first day of the new year, ancestral worshipping, wishing New Year’s greetings, giving lucky money to children and elderly people, and opening a shop.
Tết is also an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During Tết, Vietnamese visit their relatives and temples, forgetting about the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year.
Vietnamese people usually return to families during Tet. All the office, factory, school, and construction are subjected to be off for some day and be flexible in arranging their work during the holiday.
The most typical feature of Tet is the preparation in each family. Every family redecorate their house with new painting, buying new outfits, welcoming their relatives to come back home. People mainly buy pictures, parallel sentences, flowers and trees. The main flower of North Vietnam is peach blossom; the South is yellow apricot blossom. Besides, they also use kumquat to decorate the living room.
The Tet atmosphere clearly begins from the 23th of the last lunar month. That is the time for the God of Kitchen to return to Heaven to report what happened in the whole year to the Jade Emperor. In the feudal period, the duration of Tet is often from the 23 December (one week before Lunar New Year’s Eve) until the 7th of January (one week after Lunar New Year’s Eve). Every work of the court is paused in this time. Nowadays, the holiday time is organized more properly and suitable for the modern life, which helps in terms of economics and politeness in order to be more corresponding to the industrial time.
The Tet atmosphere clearly begins from the 23th of the last lunar month. That is the time for the God of Kitchen to return to Heaven to report what happened in the whole year to the Jade Emperor. In the feudal period, the duration of Tet is often from the 23 December (one week before Lunar New Year’s Eve) until the 7th of January (one week after Lunar New Year’s Eve). Every work of the court is paused in this time. Nowadays, the holiday time is organized more properly and suitable for the modern life, which helps in terms of economics and politeness in order to be more corresponding to the industrial time.
Tet holiday is for people to have rest, enjoy their time, visit relatives, and join festivals, therefore, everybody needs to well dress. The first day of Tết is reserved for the nuclear family. Children receive a red envelope containing money from their elders. This tradition is called mừng tuổi (happy new age) in the north and lì xi in the south. Usually, children wear their new clothes and give their elders the traditional Tết greetings before receiving the money. There are also public performances for everyone to watch. The celebrations can last from a day up to the entire week, and the New Year is filled with people in the streets trying to make as much noise as possible using firecrackers, drums, bells, gongs, and anything they can think of to ward off evil spirits.
Tet Nguyen Tieu
After the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan), there will be a big festival of Tet Nguyen Tieu. Chinese people and Vietnamese people in the Cho Lon area of Ho Chi Minh City welcome a big festival with colorful lantern and drum sound. Nguyen Tieu is considered the traditional cultural festival which is held annually and it contributes to keep and develop the national personality of Chinese community in Vietnam. Meanwhile, this festival helps to create a jubilant atmosphere for the New Year days.
Tet Nguyen Tieu has a custom of hanging lantern or flower and it is called Hoi Hoa Dang. Wherever you go, Chinese people also held Tet Nguyen Tieu and Hoi Hoa Dang to wish for the proper climate and prosperous business.
In the Culture Centre of District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Tieu festival is held from 12th to 15th of the first lunar month with many activities such as: art flower garlands and colored lanterns, painting exhibition, calligraphy writing, performance of dancing, etc.
The new feature of this year’s festival is the marching in three areas. Thousands of people flock to the Nguyen Trai, Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Luong Nhu Hoc, Tran Hung Dao street, etc to watch the performances of street arts. There are seven flower cars made by the Culture centre of District 6 and the club-house with the content of: Picture of President Ho Chi Minh, flower car of flying dragon, gold carp, rice flower, peach, etc which are the symbol of the good wishes.
In the festival time, the houses on Luong Nhu Hoc streets and the pagoda of Chinese people also hang the red lantern which light on an area with the sparkling red color.
In the Culture Centre of District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Tieu festival is held from 12th to 15th of the first lunar month with many activities such as: art flower garlands and colored lanterns, painting exhibition, calligraphy writing, performance of dancing, etc.
The new feature of this year’s festival is the marching in three areas. Thousands of people flock to the Nguyen Trai, Hai Thuong Lan Ong, Luong Nhu Hoc, Tran Hung Dao street, etc to watch the performances of street arts. There are seven flower cars made by the Culture centre of District 6 and the club-house with the content of: Picture of President Ho Chi Minh, flower car of flying dragon, gold carp, rice flower, peach, etc which are the symbol of the good wishes.
In the festival time, the houses on Luong Nhu Hoc streets and the pagoda of Chinese people also hang the red lantern which light on an area with the sparkling red color.
Vu Lan Festival
Honoring: Showing gratitude to parents, ancestors.
Time: 15th of seventh lunar month.
Location: In the pagodas
Feature: Vu Lan celebration is at the same time with Vietnamese all Soul’s day.
OriginVu Lan ceremony is the festival of Buddism in 15th of seventh lunar month. The purpose of this ceremony is to wish for the dead relative’s soul would avoid the punishment of the next life.
CelebrationIn the celebration, there is often a wide range of offering to wish for the salvation of the dead souls. The offerings are rice, salt, and pure water. The important part is the status of the offered person.
In the pagoda, after the offering will be the ceremony of giving alms of foods. There is also a real activity of this which is cooking the rice soup and vegetarian food to give free to Buddhism follower.
Honoring: Showing gratitude to parents, ancestors.
Time: 15th of seventh lunar month.
Location: In the pagodas
Feature: Vu Lan celebration is at the same time with Vietnamese all Soul’s day.
OriginVu Lan ceremony is the festival of Buddism in 15th of seventh lunar month. The purpose of this ceremony is to wish for the dead relative’s soul would avoid the punishment of the next life.
CelebrationIn the celebration, there is often a wide range of offering to wish for the salvation of the dead souls. The offerings are rice, salt, and pure water. The important part is the status of the offered person.
In the pagoda, after the offering will be the ceremony of giving alms of foods. There is also a real activity of this which is cooking the rice soup and vegetarian food to give free to Buddhism follower.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-autumn festival is called Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam. It is organized in the middle of the Autumn which is the eighth lunar month of the year. Mid-autumn festival is the festival of the children.
From the beginning of the month, people have prepared for the festival with colorful and different shape lanterns. Moon cakes or mid-autumn cakes are also prepared along with the various toys for children. There are many traditional toys that the most typical ones are star lantern, paper doctor human, animal shape lantern, etc. Children carry the lanterns walk from streets to streets in the funny sounds of their singing every evening. When the principle time of the festival comes, there are groups of lion dance with crowded drums and cymbals. In this occasion, to enjoy the beauty of the moon, there are many activities are organized. Adults and children have their own way of celebrating.
Competition of feast and lantern
In the day of Mid-Autumn, people make the feast with moon shape cakes, lanterns and flowers decorating, and jubilant dancing. There are many competitions to make feast and make cakes among the women. Children would also have competition in showing their lanterns, and lantern processing. Many families place the feast for children and there was often a paper doctor human in the highest location of the feast, and the fruits and flowers surround all. After enjoy the feast and moon, children will eat what they have in the feast while it is on the late evening.
Mid-autumn festival is called Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam. It is organized in the middle of the Autumn which is the eighth lunar month of the year. Mid-autumn festival is the festival of the children.
From the beginning of the month, people have prepared for the festival with colorful and different shape lanterns. Moon cakes or mid-autumn cakes are also prepared along with the various toys for children. There are many traditional toys that the most typical ones are star lantern, paper doctor human, animal shape lantern, etc. Children carry the lanterns walk from streets to streets in the funny sounds of their singing every evening. When the principle time of the festival comes, there are groups of lion dance with crowded drums and cymbals. In this occasion, to enjoy the beauty of the moon, there are many activities are organized. Adults and children have their own way of celebrating.
Competition of feast and lantern
In the day of Mid-Autumn, people make the feast with moon shape cakes, lanterns and flowers decorating, and jubilant dancing. There are many competitions to make feast and make cakes among the women. Children would also have competition in showing their lanterns, and lantern processing. Many families place the feast for children and there was often a paper doctor human in the highest location of the feast, and the fruits and flowers surround all. After enjoy the feast and moon, children will eat what they have in the feast while it is on the late evening.
Folk songs singing contest
There is a custom of singing contest in the North of Vietnam. Two groups of women and men sing and compete with each other. They also play an instrument made from a drum and a string above the surface of the drum to create the rhythm of the song. The songs may be already written or created promptly by the competitors. The competition would be happy most of the time, but it also could aggressive when there is a hard riddle.
Lion dance
In the occasion of Mid-autumn, there is a custom of Lion dance. People often practice the lion dance in the 14th and 15th of the eighth lunar month. There is often a person holding the lion head and a person holding the flag to dance along with the rhythm of the dance. The head of the lion has a long tail made from red cloth. There are also cymbals, five color flag, and a person holding a stick to support the lion head. The group of lion dance is ahead, and the adults and children are behind. In these days, there are often some money awards for children in the family hanging on the height for the lion to catch.
Children often go to the lion dance early, since 7th and 8th of eight lunar month, they just come to have fun but not want to catch the awards. However, the people love them, and they still give them money.
There is a custom of singing contest in the North of Vietnam. Two groups of women and men sing and compete with each other. They also play an instrument made from a drum and a string above the surface of the drum to create the rhythm of the song. The songs may be already written or created promptly by the competitors. The competition would be happy most of the time, but it also could aggressive when there is a hard riddle.
Lion dance
In the occasion of Mid-autumn, there is a custom of Lion dance. People often practice the lion dance in the 14th and 15th of the eighth lunar month. There is often a person holding the lion head and a person holding the flag to dance along with the rhythm of the dance. The head of the lion has a long tail made from red cloth. There are also cymbals, five color flag, and a person holding a stick to support the lion head. The group of lion dance is ahead, and the adults and children are behind. In these days, there are often some money awards for children in the family hanging on the height for the lion to catch.
Children often go to the lion dance early, since 7th and 8th of eight lunar month, they just come to have fun but not want to catch the awards. However, the people love them, and they still give them money.
Northern Vietnam Festivals
Yen Phu Communal House Festival
Yen Phu communal house festival is a historical and cultural vestige which is listed in national vestiges since 1986. This is the only communal house in Hanoi to be built in the later half of 17th century. The communal house is not built like others. There is a gold inlaid palanquin in the house and the stele since Le Gia Tong (1672 – 1675) era. The big and beautiful house of a peninsula in West Lake of Hanoi looks back to the water. In 2003, the house is restored.
The festival of Yen Phu was hold in the 10th of second lunar month and it was said to keep the old disciplines of Hanoi’s festival. The festival is also joined by the people in every area around West Lake like Nghi Tam, Tu Lien, Nhat Tan, etc and it has a united relation from Thanh Cu village, Kim Thi district, Hung Yen.
Yen Phu communal house festival is a historical and cultural vestige which is listed in national vestiges since 1986. This is the only communal house in Hanoi to be built in the later half of 17th century. The communal house is not built like others. There is a gold inlaid palanquin in the house and the stele since Le Gia Tong (1672 – 1675) era. The big and beautiful house of a peninsula in West Lake of Hanoi looks back to the water. In 2003, the house is restored.
The festival of Yen Phu was hold in the 10th of second lunar month and it was said to keep the old disciplines of Hanoi’s festival. The festival is also joined by the people in every area around West Lake like Nghi Tam, Tu Lien, Nhat Tan, etc and it has a united relation from Thanh Cu village, Kim Thi district, Hung Yen.
Since 9th of second lunar month, people do the ritual of Moc Duc (Washing statues). That is to process the palanquin from Communal house to Tran Quoc pagoda to get water to wash the statue. The palanquin was processed on the narrow streets before but now they are on the wide streets on Yen Phu, Thanh Nien. The palanquin is carried by four strong young men wearing long dress. There are two other big palanquins carried by 16 strong men followed by the elderly and octets.
After getting the pure water from Tran Quoc pagoda, the festival organized the ceremonies and game activities.
The festival is lasted over the 10th of second lunar month.
After getting the pure water from Tran Quoc pagoda, the festival organized the ceremonies and game activities.
The festival is lasted over the 10th of second lunar month.
Buffalo Fighting Festival in Phu Tho Province
The buffalo fighting of Phu Ninh district (Phu Tho province) is not only the oldest but holding deep traditional features of Hung Vuong era with the spirit of sportsmanship, and it is also the ritual to wish for proper climate and nice crop.
On 16, 17th of second lunar month, Phu Ninh district will hold a festival. Legendarily, when the King Hung and his general go to Ham Rong market (current Phu Ninh), they met two fighting tigers, and then they immediately kill them to get the meat. Therefore, every four communes of Cao, Phu Man, Ngoc Tru, Ngoc Khoi buy a buffalo each and let them fight to offer the ancient hunters of King Hung era.
When they buy, they have to ask for permission from the God. The buffalo has to be raised. Though there are four buffalo but on 5th of lunar May, there are only two buffaloes are killed and the others are left until 10th of lunar October.
On the market day, people wash the buffalo, and on 5th of lunar May, the whole four are let to fight. The two loose buffaloes are killed and the other two winners come to the final on 10th of lunar October. When people kill the buffalo, they do not place them in the dish but on the baskets made from rope. In the middle of the basket, there is banana leaves to place the meat on to offer. After the offering, people gather and eat right at the market.
The buffalo fighting of Phu Ninh district (Phu Tho province) is not only the oldest but holding deep traditional features of Hung Vuong era with the spirit of sportsmanship, and it is also the ritual to wish for proper climate and nice crop.
On 16, 17th of second lunar month, Phu Ninh district will hold a festival. Legendarily, when the King Hung and his general go to Ham Rong market (current Phu Ninh), they met two fighting tigers, and then they immediately kill them to get the meat. Therefore, every four communes of Cao, Phu Man, Ngoc Tru, Ngoc Khoi buy a buffalo each and let them fight to offer the ancient hunters of King Hung era.
When they buy, they have to ask for permission from the God. The buffalo has to be raised. Though there are four buffalo but on 5th of lunar May, there are only two buffaloes are killed and the others are left until 10th of lunar October.
On the market day, people wash the buffalo, and on 5th of lunar May, the whole four are let to fight. The two loose buffaloes are killed and the other two winners come to the final on 10th of lunar October. When people kill the buffalo, they do not place them in the dish but on the baskets made from rope. In the middle of the basket, there is banana leaves to place the meat on to offer. After the offering, people gather and eat right at the market.
From time and war, from 1945 to 2008, the Phu Ninh buffalo fighting festival is not organized. Until 2009, Phu Ninh restored and held it in the middle of lunar February. This is one of the unique festivals which are listed in the program of Back To Origin tourism along with the King Hung Temple festival.
Like other different buffalo fighting festival, Phu Ninh festival is also divided into three rounds: group stage, semi final, and final. In each game, from the two sides of the fighting area, two buffaloes (ong cau) are lead to come in one moment. They are let to fight with many interesting position and match. Some games last for tens of minutes which earn a lot of support from the audience. However, in the opinion of the local people, eating the meat of fighting buffalo brings luck. Therefore, all the buffalo will be killed to sell meat whatever their result is.
Like other different buffalo fighting festival, Phu Ninh festival is also divided into three rounds: group stage, semi final, and final. In each game, from the two sides of the fighting area, two buffaloes (ong cau) are lead to come in one moment. They are let to fight with many interesting position and match. Some games last for tens of minutes which earn a lot of support from the audience. However, in the opinion of the local people, eating the meat of fighting buffalo brings luck. Therefore, all the buffalo will be killed to sell meat whatever their result is.
Mach Lung Temple Festival
Mieu Mach Lung (Mach Lung Temple) is located in the hill of 30,000sqm in Mach Lung hamlet, Dai Mach commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi.
The temple worships three Kings in the King Hung XVIII: Minh Lao Hung Dai Vuong, Minh Lao Hung Doan Dai Vuong and Minh Lao Hung Nghi Dai Vuong. Three people are good at history, geography and fengshui, so they are granted to be the generals and assigned to prevent the enemy from the sea and Red River. After receiving the mission, they chose Lung Trang to be the place to build general headquarters. Then he thought this is a good place and bring his mom from Hai Duong province to build the house and farm together with helping people in Lung Trang in agriculture. Then people love the three generals and the mother, so they build the temple.
Through many historical ups and downs, the temples have still beautiful for its ancient vestiges. The architecture of the temple still preserves the patterns of the 17th and 18th centuries. The temple is still merely untouched with the Chinese character of book and three thrones and tablets in 19th century. With the historical and architectural values, Mach Lung temple is listed to be the national vestige in 1993.
Mr. Vuong Xuan Vien, haid of Mach Lung hamlet, said people want to show their respect to the ancestors and the great grandparents so in three days of festival; they made the representative for production, classmates and families to come to temple to offer objects. All the things in family are paused to the day of God.
Since Mach Lung temple is acknowledged to be the national historical vestige, people often hold the procession once in a five year. Along with the traditional rituals, there are also traditional games like cock fighting, chess, quan ho singing, etc, which attract many people and visitors.
The temple worships three Kings in the King Hung XVIII: Minh Lao Hung Dai Vuong, Minh Lao Hung Doan Dai Vuong and Minh Lao Hung Nghi Dai Vuong. Three people are good at history, geography and fengshui, so they are granted to be the generals and assigned to prevent the enemy from the sea and Red River. After receiving the mission, they chose Lung Trang to be the place to build general headquarters. Then he thought this is a good place and bring his mom from Hai Duong province to build the house and farm together with helping people in Lung Trang in agriculture. Then people love the three generals and the mother, so they build the temple.
Through many historical ups and downs, the temples have still beautiful for its ancient vestiges. The architecture of the temple still preserves the patterns of the 17th and 18th centuries. The temple is still merely untouched with the Chinese character of book and three thrones and tablets in 19th century. With the historical and architectural values, Mach Lung temple is listed to be the national vestige in 1993.
Mr. Vuong Xuan Vien, haid of Mach Lung hamlet, said people want to show their respect to the ancestors and the great grandparents so in three days of festival; they made the representative for production, classmates and families to come to temple to offer objects. All the things in family are paused to the day of God.
Since Mach Lung temple is acknowledged to be the national historical vestige, people often hold the procession once in a five year. Along with the traditional rituals, there are also traditional games like cock fighting, chess, quan ho singing, etc, which attract many people and visitors.
Central Vietnam Festivals
Village Land Praying Ceremony
Honoring: God (Giàng)
Location: This is a festival of the Ba Na people who live in Kon Tum and Gia Lai province
Time: End of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd lunar month
Celebration: Ba Na villagers hold the Village Land Praying Ceremony in preparation for the new crop or before moving to new land. Before the days of establishing the new village, Ba Na people held a two day ceremony. They prayed to their deities in hope that they would be given favorable working conditions and to inform the deities about the work in the upcoming year.
Location: This is a festival of the Ba Na people who live in Kon Tum and Gia Lai province
Time: End of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd lunar month
Celebration: Ba Na villagers hold the Village Land Praying Ceremony in preparation for the new crop or before moving to new land. Before the days of establishing the new village, Ba Na people held a two day ceremony. They prayed to their deities in hope that they would be given favorable working conditions and to inform the deities about the work in the upcoming year.
Ra Glai tribe Festival
Location: Ninh Thuan province
Time: after the harvest
Celebration: This festival celebrated by the Ra Glai minority is generally organized after the harvest. It is a time for music, theatre, dancing, signing, sword dancing, and graphic arts. This festival takes place to celebrate a victory, abundant crops, or the inauguration of a communal house; it can also be held to pray for peace or to destroy a bad omen. Sometimes, one family in the village will organize the ceremony to thanks the Genies for a particular deed or favor. The entire village is then invited.
Time: after the harvest
Celebration: This festival celebrated by the Ra Glai minority is generally organized after the harvest. It is a time for music, theatre, dancing, signing, sword dancing, and graphic arts. This festival takes place to celebrate a victory, abundant crops, or the inauguration of a communal house; it can also be held to pray for peace or to destroy a bad omen. Sometimes, one family in the village will organize the ceremony to thanks the Genies for a particular deed or favor. The entire village is then invited.
Southern Vietnam Festivals
Nui Ba spring festival in Tay Ninh
Located on the Tay Ninh district, Ba Den Mountain vestige area is considered to be the religious land in the first place of South area. About 11km to the North West of Tay Ninh Township, Nui Ba complex is 24 sq km including three mountains Nui Heo – Nui Phung – Nui Ba Den. This is one of the landscapes in the famous complex of culture and history of Tay Ninh.
Ba Den Mountain is 986m high which is highest in South Vietnam. Looking from far, Ba Den area has a unique shape like a giant colonial hat on the white silk scarf with the landscape of legends in the expanding land time. The ecological land in the mountain is quite plentiful with many grass trees, wood trees and precious animals.
Famous historical area of Ba Den Mountain of Tay Ninh has known for the system of Dien Ba pagoda, Ha pagoda, Trung pagoda, etc on the grandiose mountain system. There are some magnificent pagodas are close to the legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong (Ba Den) and other religious legend which is said until now.
Ba Den Mountain is 986m high which is highest in South Vietnam. Looking from far, Ba Den area has a unique shape like a giant colonial hat on the white silk scarf with the landscape of legends in the expanding land time. The ecological land in the mountain is quite plentiful with many grass trees, wood trees and precious animals.
Famous historical area of Ba Den Mountain of Tay Ninh has known for the system of Dien Ba pagoda, Ha pagoda, Trung pagoda, etc on the grandiose mountain system. There are some magnificent pagodas are close to the legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong (Ba Den) and other religious legend which is said until now.
Ba Den Mountain is 986m high which is highest in South Vietnam. Looking from far, Ba Den area has a unique shape like a giant colonial hat on the white silk scarf with the landscape of legends in the expanding land time. The ecological land in the mountain is quite plentiful with many grass trees, wood trees and precious animals.
Famous historical area of Ba Den Mountain of Tay Ninh has known for the system of Dien Ba pagoda, Ha pagoda, Trung pagoda, etc on the grandiose mountain system. There are some magnificent pagodas are close to the legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong (Ba Den) and other religious legend which is said until now.
The system of Ba Den vestige is known for the place of many monks and the development of Buddhism. From the base of mountain, visitors have to climb to the hillside of Linh Son Thanh Mau. Coming to higher place, to the peak of Mieu Son Than, visitors would feel like being above the cloud and visitors could see the whole view of Dau Tieng lake – a beautiful and big water resource project of Vietnam. Besides, in the complex of Ba Den Mountain, there is an area of God spring or Ma Thien Lanh spring located on the West of Phung Mountain and Cham Lake, Ong Lon Tra Vong temple and Quan Ngua yard to be the religious complex which is full of spirit features.
On the beginning of the spring, the complex of Ba Den Mountain complex attracts millions of visitors to pilgrim and visit. They join the spring festival of Ba Mountain. The festival last for month but the exact day if 18th night and 19th morning of first lunar month. Besides, there is a festival of Via in 6th lunar May. Before the main day, the head of Dien Ba carry the ceremony of Moc Duc (Washing God’s statue) in the midnight. The beautiful young ladies in the sparkling outfit in the melodies of music wash the statues. This is not only cultural activities but also the place for the young to enjoy and working together.
Spring festival of Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh) is considered one of the typical features of South folklore culture and that is the place to be back to the root. This is also an ecotourism, traditional tourism for not only Tay Ninh but also the whole country.
Famous historical area of Ba Den Mountain of Tay Ninh has known for the system of Dien Ba pagoda, Ha pagoda, Trung pagoda, etc on the grandiose mountain system. There are some magnificent pagodas are close to the legend of Ly Thi Thien Huong (Ba Den) and other religious legend which is said until now.
The system of Ba Den vestige is known for the place of many monks and the development of Buddhism. From the base of mountain, visitors have to climb to the hillside of Linh Son Thanh Mau. Coming to higher place, to the peak of Mieu Son Than, visitors would feel like being above the cloud and visitors could see the whole view of Dau Tieng lake – a beautiful and big water resource project of Vietnam. Besides, in the complex of Ba Den Mountain, there is an area of God spring or Ma Thien Lanh spring located on the West of Phung Mountain and Cham Lake, Ong Lon Tra Vong temple and Quan Ngua yard to be the religious complex which is full of spirit features.
On the beginning of the spring, the complex of Ba Den Mountain complex attracts millions of visitors to pilgrim and visit. They join the spring festival of Ba Mountain. The festival last for month but the exact day if 18th night and 19th morning of first lunar month. Besides, there is a festival of Via in 6th lunar May. Before the main day, the head of Dien Ba carry the ceremony of Moc Duc (Washing God’s statue) in the midnight. The beautiful young ladies in the sparkling outfit in the melodies of music wash the statues. This is not only cultural activities but also the place for the young to enjoy and working together.
Spring festival of Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh) is considered one of the typical features of South folklore culture and that is the place to be back to the root. This is also an ecotourism, traditional tourism for not only Tay Ninh but also the whole country.
Nghinh Co Festival
Honoring: “Co” is the woman named Le Thi Hong Thuy.
Location: Co Temple, Long Hai town, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
Time: 10th-12th – second lunar month (Main time: 12 second lunar month)
Location: The most crowded water festival, attracting visitors in various places in different provinces.
Origin “Co” is the girl from Binh Thuan who followed her father to the South for trading in Ba Ria. Then she loved the landscape and people, she asked her father to stay. However, his father didn’t agree, then she committed suicide in the Mui Nho. Then she became awe-inspiringly powerful and citizens made the temple to honor her. Another legend is she was the liaison for the Tay Son army which often travelled across that place. Once, she was discovered by the army of Nguyen King, and she was killed. Then she became awe-inspiringly powerful, and people made the temple to honor her.
After she died, she supported for the people who is in the sea works, helped them to recover from tough situations.
Location: Co Temple, Long Hai town, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
Time: 10th-12th – second lunar month (Main time: 12 second lunar month)
Location: The most crowded water festival, attracting visitors in various places in different provinces.
Origin “Co” is the girl from Binh Thuan who followed her father to the South for trading in Ba Ria. Then she loved the landscape and people, she asked her father to stay. However, his father didn’t agree, then she committed suicide in the Mui Nho. Then she became awe-inspiringly powerful and citizens made the temple to honor her. Another legend is she was the liaison for the Tay Son army which often travelled across that place. Once, she was discovered by the army of Nguyen King, and she was killed. Then she became awe-inspiringly powerful, and people made the temple to honor her.
After she died, she supported for the people who is in the sea works, helped them to recover from tough situations.
Celebration
The festival is hold in three days annually (10-12 – second lunar month). The main offering is on 12 of second lunar month, but since the 10th, visitors from different parts of countries have come and pray. The ceremony of wishing for peace is delivered on 11th. Joining in the ceremony is the monks in different pagodas, and they often pray until the mid night.
Outside of the Co Temple, there is the festival of flower garlands and colored lanterns. In the dawn of 12th morning, following the main offering monk if the red palanquin with the tablet of Co’s name, all are put into a boat. After the fire cracker is the order of starting. All the boats head for the open sea like the dragon gliding in the sea in the early morning.
When the boats come to the settled point in the sea, the boats are arrange in the form of a circle in the middle of the sea. The main monk delivered the offering to invite the “Co” and the God of South Sea to the temple and attend the festival. Music and firecrackers are played in the space of vast sea.
Coming back to the land, lion dance groups will come to welcome the boats. Palanquin is brought up to the temple with the official offering.
On the beach, there are many traditional games like lion dance, chess, flower dance, catching duck on the waters.
The festival is hold in three days annually (10-12 – second lunar month). The main offering is on 12 of second lunar month, but since the 10th, visitors from different parts of countries have come and pray. The ceremony of wishing for peace is delivered on 11th. Joining in the ceremony is the monks in different pagodas, and they often pray until the mid night.
Outside of the Co Temple, there is the festival of flower garlands and colored lanterns. In the dawn of 12th morning, following the main offering monk if the red palanquin with the tablet of Co’s name, all are put into a boat. After the fire cracker is the order of starting. All the boats head for the open sea like the dragon gliding in the sea in the early morning.
When the boats come to the settled point in the sea, the boats are arrange in the form of a circle in the middle of the sea. The main monk delivered the offering to invite the “Co” and the God of South Sea to the temple and attend the festival. Music and firecrackers are played in the space of vast sea.
Coming back to the land, lion dance groups will come to welcome the boats. Palanquin is brought up to the temple with the official offering.
On the beach, there are many traditional games like lion dance, chess, flower dance, catching duck on the waters.
Ba Pagoda Festival
Honoring: Thien Hau Thanh Mau. (Mother of the land)
Location: Thu Dau Mot city – Binh Duong province.
Time: 15th –first lunar month
Feature: Procession of principle of the Mother (Ba). Lion dance.
OriginBa Pagoda is in the centre of Thu Dau Mot city, in legend, Ba’s name is Lam My Chau who was born in the Wade-Giles period of China. One day, when she was doing the weave fabric, she stopped and tell her mother that her father and brothers are in danger in the sea. Some days later, her two brothers came back but there were no news from the father. Since then, Lam My Chau was famous for the talent of telling the fortune, the weather in the sea. Therefore, she helps a lot of people to get through many tough situations. Due to the unhappy fate, she passed away at the age of early 20, and then became awe inspiringly powerful. She often flied over the sea to save men’s life and boats when they were in tough. Due to that merit, she was nominated to the Thien Hau Thanh Mau (mother of land and sea) by the King and was honored by the people in the coastal land of Fu Jian (China).
Location: Thu Dau Mot city – Binh Duong province.
Time: 15th –first lunar month
Feature: Procession of principle of the Mother (Ba). Lion dance.
OriginBa Pagoda is in the centre of Thu Dau Mot city, in legend, Ba’s name is Lam My Chau who was born in the Wade-Giles period of China. One day, when she was doing the weave fabric, she stopped and tell her mother that her father and brothers are in danger in the sea. Some days later, her two brothers came back but there were no news from the father. Since then, Lam My Chau was famous for the talent of telling the fortune, the weather in the sea. Therefore, she helps a lot of people to get through many tough situations. Due to the unhappy fate, she passed away at the age of early 20, and then became awe inspiringly powerful. She often flied over the sea to save men’s life and boats when they were in tough. Due to that merit, she was nominated to the Thien Hau Thanh Mau (mother of land and sea) by the King and was honored by the people in the coastal land of Fu Jian (China).
CelebrationThe former Chinese people whom immigrated in Vietnam have all used boat as the travel, and in their journey, they often come to the Ba temple to pray for the safety. In the process of settling down in the new land, the Chinese people in the main land were more prosperous in their business. People who joined in the festival are not only citizen in Song Be, but also from other parts of the countries and in different countries.
The offering is begun in the mid night, the temple is decorated sparkling and brilliantly. There are twelve lanterns hanging in front of the temple which symbolic the twelve months of a year, then these will be bidden for the charity.
The offering things are small roasted pig, kitchen, ducks, sticky rice, cookies and fruits. After the offering, visitors dispersed to enjoy the lion dance in different areas.
In the finishing time, the three lion dance groups will come to the main yard to perform the “wishing good things for Ba” until half of the afternoon; the procession begins to march from streets to streets. In 6p.m, the procession comes back to Ba Pagoda, one long firecracker is burn giving the signal of the end of festival. People extend their ways and see again in the following year.
The offering is begun in the mid night, the temple is decorated sparkling and brilliantly. There are twelve lanterns hanging in front of the temple which symbolic the twelve months of a year, then these will be bidden for the charity.
The offering things are small roasted pig, kitchen, ducks, sticky rice, cookies and fruits. After the offering, visitors dispersed to enjoy the lion dance in different areas.
In the finishing time, the three lion dance groups will come to the main yard to perform the “wishing good things for Ba” until half of the afternoon; the procession begins to march from streets to streets. In 6p.m, the procession comes back to Ba Pagoda, one long firecracker is burn giving the signal of the end of festival. People extend their ways and see again in the following year.