The Ka-tê Festival is the largest and most vibrant celebration of the Cham people in Ninh Thuận province. This festival, also known as the 'Father's Memorial Day', takes place at the Pôklông Garai Tower or other Cham towers on the 1st of the 7th lunar month (around September 25th to October 5th in the Gregorian calendar) each year. It honors national heroes, ancestors, deities, and kings such as Pôklông Garai and Prôme. During the festival, people from surrounding areas gather near the tower for prayers, while priests and attendants perform rituals in the open courtyard before moving inside the temple. The priests and priestesses also bathe and dress King Pôklông. The event is accompanied by traditional Cham dances and performances. The gentle melodies of the Samanai flute and the rhythmic beats of the Ginăng drum elevate the spiritual atmosphere, taking attendees to a euphoric state. It is a time for the Cham people to reconnect with their cultural roots, as the ancient towers come alive with vibrant energy, enriching the cultural tapestry of Vietnam.
The Ka-tê Festival marks a sacred moment for the living to connect with the divine.
The festival also features traditional performances by the young women and men of the Cham ethnic group.The Huong Pagoda Festival, or 'Pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda,' is a major Vietnamese festival held in Mỹ Đức, Hanoi. Located in the scenic Huong Son region, it is regarded as a spiritual journey to a sacred land of Buddha, where the Bodhisattva Quan Thế Âm is believed to have meditated. This festival attracts a large number of Buddhist pilgrims and runs from the 6th day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month. The festivities take place across the entire Huong Son area in Mỹ Đức, Hanoi, making it one of the longest festivals in Vietnam. According to ancient Vietnamese traditions, Huong Son is considered the Buddhist realm, and Huong Pagoda is dedicated to the worship of the Bodhisattva Quan Âm. The religious ceremony at the pagoda focuses on Buddhist rites, while the festival itself welcomes visitors who come to the sacred land. During the festival, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims travel to the region to explore the natural beauty of the mountains and caves and pray for good luck and blessings at the various pagodas.
The journey to Huong Son is considered a pilgrimage to the sacred land of Buddha, where Bodhisattva Quan Thế Âm once meditated.
The Huong Pagoda Festival, also known as the Pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda, is a significant celebration in Vietnam, located in Mỹ Đức, Hanoi.The Gò Đống Đa Festival takes place at Đống Đa Hill in the Đống Đa district of Hanoi on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year. This festival commemorates the great victory of King Quang Trung and his historic triumph. The celebration includes a procession with drums and bells signaling the victory of the Tây Sơn army. Young people from neighboring villages, including Khương Thương and Thịnh Hào, participate in the parade, dressed in ceremonial attire, followed by flags, banners, and a straw 'fire dragon' symbolizing the fierce spirit of the battle. The Đống Quang Pagoda, located opposite Đống Đa Hill, is the site of a ceremony to honor the heroes and patriots who sacrificed their lives for the nation. After the rituals, there are various traditional games and competitions, such as dragon dances, lion dances, wrestling, chess, and cock fighting, bringing joy and vitality to the festival.
King Quang Trung, the brilliant general of the nation.
This festival is held to celebrate the victory and honor the great contributions of King Quang Trung.4. Fishermen's Prayers Festival
The Fishermen's Prayers Festival is celebrated by the people of Thái Dương Hạ village, Thuận An town, Phú Vang district in Thừa Thiên Huế. Held on the 12th day of the first lunar month, the festival honors the village’s tutelary god, Trương Quý Công, who was originally from Thanh Hóa. This legendary figure taught the villagers how to fish and trade boats, lifting them from poverty. The festival is held once every three years and is marked by grand ceremonies and rituals. It begins with the community offering food, incense, and lights at the central altar, followed by the 'Le Nghinh Ong' ceremony (welcoming the fish god or whale), and prayers for peace and a bountiful catch. Meanwhile, brightly decorated fishing boats are paraded on the sea. The festival expresses the fishermen's hopes for a peaceful and prosperous life, as they face the dangers of the open sea. They pray for calm weather and a successful fishing season, wishing for abundant harvests of fish.
The festival, held on the 12th day of the first lunar month, honors the village's tutelary god, Trương Quý Công, originally from Thanh Hóa.
The festival symbolizes the deep desires of fishermen for peace and safety in their lives, as they constantly face numerous risks on the vast ocean.5. Elephant Racing Festival
The Elephant Racing Festival takes place annually in March, usually in Buôn Đôn or in the forests along the Xrêpốk River in Đắk Lắk. The event lasts for one day and features thrilling activities like elephant races, river swimming contests, and even football matches with elephants. Around 15-18 elephants participate in the festival. This event honors the warrior spirit and the skill of taming elephants by the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Visitors also have the chance to enjoy the unique and rich cuisine of the local tribes, ride elephants to tour the village, and experience the exciting journey of riding elephants across the Xrêpốk River. Before the races begin, the sound of a horn signals the start, and under the guidance of the festival organizers, the elephants line up at the starting position. As the festival is held in the mountainous regions of the Central Highlands, it is infused with a raw, natural atmosphere, bringing the lively, vibrant spirit of the wild jungle and the surrounding nature to life.
The Elephant Racing Festival honors the warrior spirit and the expertise in elephant taming by the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands.
Elephants of the Central Highlands.6. The Lady Chúa Xứ Festival
The Lady Chúa Xứ Festival is the largest event for the people of Southeast Vietnam, held from the evening of April 23rd to April 27th according to the lunar calendar at the Lady Chúa Xứ Temple on Sam Mountain, An Giang Province. The festival features various performances, including folk music and shadow dances. Starting on the night of April 23rd, people gather at the temple to witness the traditional bathing ceremony of the statue of Lady Chúa Xứ. The statue is lowered and bathed in a mixture of rainwater and flower essence. This annual ritual attracts numerous pilgrims and tourists, who come not only to partake in the cultural celebrations but also to pray for prosperity and good fortune. In addition to the festival, visitors can enjoy sightseeing, taking in the stunning natural landscapes of Sam Mountain and exploring historical sites like the Thoại Ngọc Hầu Tomb and Tây An Pagoda.
The statue of Lady Chúa Xứ is lowered and bathed with a mixture of rainwater and flower essence.
The festival features various cultural activities such as folk performances and shadow dances. By the evening of the 23rd, people gather at the temple to witness the sacred bathing ceremony of the statue of Lady Chúa Xứ.7. The Căm Mường Festival
The Lự ethnic group in Lai Châu holds deep reverence for deities of the river, mountain, creek, spring, and dragon. They believe their prosperity and well-being are safeguarded by these gods. Therefore, they celebrate the Căm Mường Festival to offer thanks to the deities and pray for a prosperous year, wishing for good fortune to stay and misfortune to depart. This is a unique traditional festival of the highland people, attracting many visitors eager to witness the celebrations in the early spring. Lai Châu becomes a popular tourist destination during this time. The offerings to the gods, though simple, are made with great care and performed with a sense of solemnity. In addition to fruits, wine, and meat, the offerings include 18 small paper boats in green and yellow. The green represents the vast mountains and forests, while the yellow symbolizes the rice fields during harvest, embodying the hope for a bountiful and prosperous year.
This is a distinctive traditional festival of the highland people, with many visitors eager to experience it during the early spring season.
The Căm Mường Festival.8. Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán)
The Lunar New Year, also known as Tết Nguyên Đán, is the most significant traditional festival in Vietnam. It begins on the first day of the lunar calendar every year. Commonly referred to as Tết, this celebration holds great cultural importance, not only in Vietnam but also in other East Asian countries. In the days leading up to Tết, Vietnamese families observe traditions such as the "Táo Quân" offering on the 23rd day of the last lunar month and the "Tất Niên" ceremony on the 29th or 30th day. Families also prepare by purchasing peach blossoms in the north, kumquat trees in the central regions, and apricot blossoms in the south—rituals that mark the arrival of the New Year.
During these days, people take time off to visit family, relatives, and friends, or to go to temples and churches to pray for peace and good luck in the new year. This is a time for families to reunite after long periods of hard work, often away from home. They come together to chat, share greetings, and offer well-wishes. Homes are cleaned, decorated, and traditional foods like bánh tét and bánh chưng are prepared. It's also a time to honor ancestors and visit family graves. Around the hearth, grandparents, parents, and children sit together, enjoying each other's company while making these traditional foods.
Grandparents, parents, and children gather around the warm fire, making bánh chưng and sharing meaningful moments.
During this time, people across the country rest, visit family, relatives, and friends, go to temples or churches to pray for peace, and gather blessings for the new year.9. Hung Kings' Death Anniversary
'No matter where you go, remember the tenth day of the third lunar month,' the traditional song goes. The Hung Kings' Death Anniversary is a major national celebration in Vietnam, held annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month at the Hung Temple in Phu Tho. The day honors the founders and defenders of the Vietnamese nation—the Hung Kings—who established and protected the country. This event brings people from all regions of Vietnam, as well as overseas Vietnamese, to pay respects to these legendary leaders.
The Hung Kings' Death Anniversary, also known as the Hung Temple Festival, is a key tradition of the Kinh people, remembering the historical leaders who shaped Vietnam. As a major holiday, all citizens are granted a day off to commemorate the occasion. Various organizations often host events to honor the Kings, making this a significant national holiday. It serves as a reminder to the Vietnamese people to always remember their roots and unite to build a stronger, more prosperous homeland.
The Hung Kings' Death Anniversary has become a major national holiday in Vietnam, reminding us to stay connected to our heritage and work together to create a better, more prosperous country.
As the tradition goes, on this day, people from all across the country and overseas Vietnamese gather to honor the legacy of the Hung Kings.The Giong Festival is held annually at Phu Dong village, Gia Lam district, Hanoi, to honor and celebrate the heroic achievements of Saint Giong, one of Vietnam’s Four Immortals in folk belief. He is revered for defeating the Chinese invaders, marking the beginning of Vietnam’s golden age of resistance. This festival is one of the largest in the Red River Delta.
The festival takes place on the 9th day of the 4th lunar month, to commemorate the great contributions of Saint Giong. Preparations begin from the 1st to the 5th of April with rehearsals for the main festivities. On the 9th, a procession moves from the Mother Temple to the Upper Temple, followed by ritual dances, a reenactment of Saint Giong's victory over the invaders, and a celebratory feast. The final day, the 10th, is reserved for reviewing the soldiers and giving thanks to Saint Giong.
This traditional festival is held to honor and praise the legendary hero, Saint Giong, for his heroic deeds.
The festival officially takes place on the 9th of the 4th lunar month each year, to honor the immense contributions of the heroic Saint Giong.
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