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Lunar December, commonly known as the month of Chạp, marks the conclusion of the old year and the preparations for the upcoming one. Join Mytour as we explore the traditional festivals across Vietnam during the final month before Tet Nguyen Dan!
1. Coc Village Festival – Quang Ninh Province – December 4th, 5th (Lunar Calendar)
The Coc Village Festival is a significant annual event for the locals, dedicated to honoring the Holy Mother Goddess. It takes place on the 4th and 5th days of the lunar December at the Phong Coc Communal House, located in Phong Coc Village, Ha Nam Island, Yen Hung District, Quang Ninh Province, approximately 5 kilometers from Chanh Ferry Terminal.On the 4th day, villages prepare for the worship of Emperor and Agricultural Deities, along with organizing activities for the upcoming ceremonies and festivals.The 5th day, known as the Great Procession Day, sees the village escorting the Deities from Coc Temple to Coc Communal House for peaceful worship and communal festivities. The procession, solemn and grand, includes ceremonial teams carrying musical instruments, followed by the Deity flag procession and offerings. Following them are rows of villagers bearing offerings such as fruits, cakes, wine, and roasted pigs, followed by wooden white horses with wheels, and finally, the ornate carriage carrying the sacred box. The procession ends with officials and villagers escorting the Deities.
The Coc Village Festival procession @internet
On the 6th day, the grand offerings to the Emperor and Agricultural Deities take place, with each village contributing nine pigs. The 7th day concludes the festival with the return procession of the Deities from Coc Communal House to Coc Temple, marking the official end of the festivities.2. Co Le Hamlet Festival - Hung Yen Province – December 10th (Lunar Calendar)
The Co Le Hamlet Festival takes place on the 10th day of the lunar December in Co Le Hamlet, An Thi District, Hung Yen Province. This festival venerates the village's three heroic deities (Tuan, Chieu, Minh) from the time of King Hung Due Vuong, who contributed to defeating the Thuc invaders and protecting the land.
Co Le Hamlet Festival. @Internet
3. Whale Worship Festival – Khanh Hoa Province – December 15th (Lunar Calendar)
The Whale Worship Festival (also known as the Ancestor Bone Procession, Fishing Prayer Ceremony, Offering to the 'Whale' Ritual, Ancestor Worship, or Admiral Whale Ceremony) is a solemn and spiritually significant ritual for coastal fishermen. The 15th day of the lunar December is when local fishermen in Khanh Hoa Province hold their fishing prayer ceremony, marked by meticulous preparations and elaborate rituals.
Local residents eagerly participate in the fishing prayer ceremony in Khanh Hoa. @baokhanhhoa
The ceremonial rituals are conducted with solemnity, including traditional processions such as the Colorful Procession, Whale Greeting Ceremony, Main Offering Ceremony, Royal Worship, and Escorting Ceremony.
The ritual ceremonies take place at the temple following traditional protocols. @baokhanhhoa
Following the main ceremony is the ritual of sailing out to greet the Admiral Whale, with hundreds of fishing boats adorned with flags and flowers.
The main boat, with its crew dressed in uniform, is followed by other boats carrying fellow fishermen and community members. @baokhanhhoa
The boisterous cheering serves as both a ceremonial ritual and a form of performance art unique to the festival, symbolizing the fishermen's spirit of solidarity in overcoming the rough waves and bringing abundant catches.This activity serves as both a spiritual offering in the locals' spiritual life and a festive occasion for community enjoyment. Additionally, the Whale Worship Festival in Khanh Hoa is a highlight for tourism, an eagerly anticipated event of the province, attracting numerous visitors each year.4. Tứ Kiệt Memorial Ceremony – Tien Giang Province – December 25th (Lunar Calendar)
Every year on the 25th day of the lunar December, the Tứ Kiệt Memorial Ceremony takes place at the Tứ Kiệt Mausoleum (on 30/4 Street, Cai Lậy Town, Tien Giang Province), commemorating four heroes: Nguyễn Thanh Long, Trần Công Thận, Trương Văn Rộng, Ngô Tấn Ðước, who sacrificed their lives in the resistance against the French. In even-numbered years, the ceremony is held with greater solemnity and the participation of various government departments, featuring elaborate rituals and ceremonies.
The Tứ Kiệt Mausoleum. @internet
The four gentlemen perished in 1871 (on the 25th day of the lunar December in the year of Canh Ngọ), after leading a guerrilla campaign against the French, instilling fear in the enemy forces with rudimentary weapons such as clubs.The Tứ Kiệt Memorial Ceremony is observed with great solemnity and has gradually become a major local holiday. Nowadays, it is not only familiar to the people of Tien Giang Province, but also attracts a large number of visitors from other provinces, especially Ho Chi Minh City. During the ceremony, attendees witness elaborate rituals such as the Emperor Worship ceremony, and revisit ancient history...5. Đình Mai Festival – Hanoi – December 20th (Lunar Calendar)
The Đình Mai Festival is held in the days leading up to Tet, yet it does not lack participants or fade into obscurity; instead, it is considered a major festival for the local people here. The Đình Mai Festival is still held annually on the 20th day of the lunar December, in Thanh Mai commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi.
The Đình Mai Festival continues to attract the participation of a large number of people, despite being held close to Tet. @internet
The festival is an occasion to honor Ha Khoi Dai Vuong, who helped Dinh Bo Linh defeat the rebel army of Do Canh Thac and establish control over the Thanh Oai region (in the 10th century). In addition to the solemn ritual ceremonies, the Đình Mai Festival also features traditional games such as chess and cockfighting.6. New Year's Eve Celebration – December 30th (Lunar Calendar)
It would be a major oversight not to mention the tradition of welcoming the Lunar New Year with the New Year's Eve celebration on the 30th night (also known as the exorcism night). The festive atmosphere begins around noon on the 23rd, after families complete the ceremony to send off the Kitchen Gods.
The ceremony to send off the Kitchen Gods with the traditional releasing of carp. @vietq
On the 25th, every household prepares an ancestral altar to invite their ancestors back home. It's commonly referred to as Ancestor Worship Day, as according to folk beliefs, the 25th of the lunar December is when the deceased return to the afterlife.The 30th night is when families set up altars outside (or at the entrance) to worship the New Year's Eve before the transition to the new year. The offerings typically include fruits (a tray of five fruits), chicken sticky rice, wine, tea... along with fake gold and silver paper money, 9 candles or oil lamps.
New Year's Eve altar offerings. @internet
Today, on New Year's Eve, if your family doesn't gather for New Year's wishes right away but waits until the morning of the 1st day, you can choose to go to the pagoda to pray for peace, seek luck on New Year's Eve, make plans with friends to watch fireworks, or accept invitations from acquaintances for house visits...
Enjoying fireworks on New Year's Eve. @baomoi
