Not only is it the historical cradle of the nation, but Northern Vietnam is also a hot spot that preserved traditional cultural beauty for thousands of years. That is shown through special festivals often held on the first days of spring. Each festival has its relics and traditional remarks that characterize its imprint.
1. Keo Pagoda Festival – Thai Binh
It is celebrated in honor of the merits of the Zen master Khong Lo – who was instrumental in curing King Ly Thanh Tong and was later posthumously awarded the title of National Teacher. With its special name, the festival is held at the Keo Pagoda in Duy Nhat commune, Thai Binh province.
The 17th century structure at Keo Pagoda. It was named a special national heritage site in 2012. Source:baochinhphu.vn
2. Dong Da Mound Festival – Hanoi
The festival is held on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year every year at Dong Da mound, Hanoi, to commemorate the great merits of the hero Nguyen Hue (King Quang Trung) and the glorious victory of the Tay Son uprising war. The festival attracted a lot of participation from tourists from all over.
The performers recreate the scene of hero Nguyen Hue setting up an altar to sacrifice to heaven and earth and coronation to the emperor – Source: Tuoi Tre Online Newspaper.
On this festive occasion, the Thang Long Fire Dragon procession is the most exhilarating repertoire of all. The participants will surely be impressed because of the magnificent atmosphere where groups of performers wearing martial arts uniforms surround a dragon made of straw, papier-mâché, boxing, and stick dancing as if recreating the scenes of the golden war reputation.
3. Huong Pagoda Festival – Hanoi
It is one of the most popular Buddhist festivals in the country. It is expected to be held yearly at Huong Son Commune, My Duc province, Hanoi. The Huong Pagoda has quite a unique feature because of its structure. Combined with a complex of caves, the temple is located inside of nature surrounded by mountains and forests. This is not only a cluster of spiritual cultural relics but also a national cultural heritage.
Ceremonial rituals consist of incense offering procession and Zen ceremony in which Monks and Buddhists offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits.
Coming to the land embraced by pristine greeneries, tourists will have the chance to immerse in the Buddhist festive atmosphere, together celebrating best wishes for the new year. In particular, you ought to visit the beautiful scenery around the relic cluster or float on dugout boats to watch the epic mountains and the quiet rivers.
The local residents praying for wishes as they enchant in spiritual atmosphere at the Huong Pagoda Festival.
4. Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival – Ninh Binh
The Spring ceremony at Bai Dinh Pagoda is held from the 6th of Jan until the end of March in the lunar calendar. It is considered to be the beginning celebration of a pilgrimage occasion to return to the once-famous ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
The unique architecture of Bai Dinh Pagoda set a breaking-record list in the area. The pagoda area is up to 539 hectares. New Bai Dinh Pagoda occupies 80 hectares and the Old Bai Dinh is 27 hectares.
The festival includes many entertainment activities such as folk games, sightseeing beautiful places, and enjoying the famous arts of ca tru, cheo, and xam throughout the ancient capital.
Hundreds of local residents and tourists celebrating the event by dropping lanterns on the river at Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival.
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5. Giong (Phu Dong) Temple Festival – Soc Son
Giong Temple Festival is held from the 6th to the 8th of the first lunar month every year in Soc Son district, Hanoi to commemorate the victory of the national hero – Saint Giong – one of the “four immortals” of Vietnamese folk beliefs. At the festival, there are simulations of the heroic battles against the An invaders of Thanh Giong and the people of Van Lang as a tribute to the efforts of our predecessors as well as a teaching to the descendants about the spirit of chivalry through martial arts performances, highlighting patriotism.
The magnificent statue of Saint Giong being displayed at the festival.
In 2011, the festival was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Coming to the Giong Festival, visitors can not only visit historical relics but also participate in exciting traditional games: cockfighting, Chinese chess…
The Giong Festival held at Soc Temple in Phu Linh Commune, Soc Son district officially kicked off with the offerings taken to the Thuong (Upper) Temple. Source: Hanoi Times.
6. Xoan Festival – Phu Tho
The legendary retold that the Xoan special art form in Phu Tho has existed for over 2000 years BC. People use the form not only for entertainment purposes but also as a prayer for a year of good weather and a good harvest.
The vitality of Xoan Singing Artform together celebrate with the heroic Xuan Nuong for being one of the great assistants to Hai Ba Trung makes the occasion a perfect heritage site to visit. Source: nhandan.vn.
The occasion is held to celebrate the heroic Xuan Nuong for being one of the great assistants to Hai Ba Trung from the 40s of the first century AD, who is considered the legendary hero of Vietnam’s ancient history.
7. Perfume Pagoda Festival – Hanoi
If you’re wondering about the name, it is because the main attraction is the Huong Tich Cave which translates to “traces of fragrance” – hence, the name Perfume Pagoda. Located about 70 km from Hanoi, this attraction is Vietnam’s most revered Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Kapok flowers at the dock Source: Vietnamplus
Thousands of pilgrims make the journey to the site yearly, which passes beautiful limestone karsts, rivers, and rice paddies along the way. Part of the pilgrimage is a walk up stone steps to Thien Tru Pagoda.
8. Yen Tu Festival – Quang Ninh
Yen Tu has become one of the most attractive destinations for some years now and there must be a reason for that. Placed on top of a rocky mountain amidst a majestic landscape, hundreds of Buddhist worshippers gather around the 9th of January to the end of the March lunar calendar to celebrate the event.
With its significant historical, cultural and natural values, Yen Tu was recognised as a Special National Relic Site in September 2012. Source: Vietnam Tonkin Travel.
With various activities such as worshiping Truc Lam ancestors, offering incense to Buddha, and folk cultural activities… visitors can enjoy an enthusiastic atmosphere while able to visit some other temples in the area.
9. Hung King Temple Festival – Phu Tho
The Hung Vuong Temple Festival is held from the 9th to the 13th of the third lunar month, the main festival is on the 10th of the third month. The festival began as a local holiday but has become recognized as a national holiday starting in 2007. It is organized to remember the merits of building and defending the country of the Hung Vuong dynasties, who are the traditional founders and first kings of the sovereign nation.
A palanquin procession held within the framework of the Hung Kings Temple Festival 2023 Source: hanoimoi.com.vn.
It can be safely concluded that in our nation’s cultural heritage, the Hung King Temple Festival has become a symbol of the strength of national unity, one connection between past and present by “remembering the source while drinking water” ethics.
10. Buffalo Fighting Festival – Hai Phong
This event is quite peculiar to foreigners, yet it is a traditional cultural, religious, or artistic activity that reflects the material and spiritual life of a community in the past. The festival is organized annually on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month. It has become an occasion for locals and visitors to gather and enjoy the fights as an exciting betting game. The festival has been held in the region since the 18th century.
This is an occasion for locals and visitors to gather and enjoy the fights as an exciting betting game.
The event is not only associated with worshiping the Water Goddess and sacrificing customs but also a way to express chivalry, and the risk-taking vibrance of local people. It derives from the belief of Do Son inhabitants that the local guardian gods like buffalo fighting and hence the practice ensures safe travel, abundant crops as well as prosperity and happiness.
Here are the Top 10 traditional festivals of Northern Vietnam that welcome you to be apart of on the Tet Holiday. Lua Viet Tours is excited to assist your travel at any time anywhere possible, don’t hesitate any longer and join us on a journey of exquisite experience.
