Top 12 Spring Festivals You Can't Miss During the Lunar New Year

Lim Festival is one of the major festivals in Bac Ninh Province, held annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month in the Tien Du District. This festival is a unique representation of the Kinh Bac cultural region, which is known for its rich folklore and cultural heritage. Bac Ninh is home to many folk festivals, with Lim Festival in Lim Town, Tien Du, being the most well-known. The festival is a celebration of the region's long-standing cultural and artistic traditions, with Quan Ho folk singing recognized as a national cultural treasure. The Lim Festival is held at the Lim village temple and along the banks of the Tieu Tuong River. In the 18th century, the festival grew into a regional event, with contributions from Nguyen Dinh Dien, the governor of Thanh Hoa, who donated land and funds to restore temples and expand the festival, preserving local customs and traditions.

The festival kicks off at 8 AM on the 13th day of the lunar new year with a grand procession, featuring participants in colorful traditional costumes, creating a vivid and beautiful display that stretches nearly a kilometer. Throughout the day, various traditional rituals and folk games are performed, including the revered Quan Ho singing to honor the gods. Local elders and villagers gather at the Hong Van Shrine to offer prayers to ancestral spirits. During the ceremony, male and female singers from the village form lines before the shrine and sing traditional Quan Ho songs in praise of the gods. Lim Festival has a rich history and continues to be celebrated today, with preparations starting from the 9th and 10th of the lunar month, and the main festivities taking place from the 11th to the 14th. On the 13th, the festival features ceremonies to honor the village deities and notable figures at the Co Lung Temple, Hong Van Shrine, and the Quận Công Đỗ Nguyên Thụy Memorial. The festival represents the vibrant cultural and spiritual heritage of the Bac Ninh region, offering a deep connection to the arts, traditions, and rituals of the local community.

Location: Tien Du, Bac Ninh.

The Tich Dien Festival at Doi Son, located in Tien Son Commune, Duy Tien District, Ha Nam, is a celebration with deep agricultural significance and a return to cultural roots. The ritual of Tich Dien, which originated in the 10th century in Ha Nam, the homeland of King Le Dai Hanh, was lost over time and was revived in 2009 on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. According to legend, the Tich Dien ceremony was established by King Shen Nong, a mythical ruler believed to be the ancestor of the Vietnamese people. Over time, the festival evolved to honor deities such as the City Guardian and gods of weather, seeking favorable conditions for crops. It was also known as the “Plowing for a Good Harvest” ceremony. In 987, King Le Dai Hanh and his court plowed the fields in Doi Son and discovered a pot of gold. The following year, another pot of silver was uncovered in Ban Hai, and thus these fields became known as the Golden and Silver Fields. Since then, the king annually participated in the plowing ceremony, a tradition that was upheld by subsequent dynasties. During the Nguyen Dynasty, the festival became more structured, with specific rules, and was overseen by the Ministry of Rites, though it was discontinued during Emperor Khai Dinh’s reign.

The Tich Dien Festival has profound humanistic meaning, reflecting the kings' concern for farmers and serving as a tool to teach the people, especially younger generations, about gratitude and the importance of agriculture. It also encourages the development of local economies through hard work. The festival lasts from the 5th to 7th day of the Lunar New Year, combining various rituals, performances, and community activities. These include the procession of King Le Dai Hanh’s spirit tablet from Lang Temple in Liem Can to Doi Son. The central event is the plowing ritual, reenacting the legend of General Le Hoan’s strategic recognition of Doi Son Mountain’s importance. Since 2009, the ceremony has been revived, with President Nguyen Minh Triet participating in 2010, donning traditional farmer attire to plow the fields.

Location: Doi Son, Duy Tien, Ha Nam.

The Ong Procession Festival is a sacred event honoring the whale god, observed by fishermen from coastal provinces of Vietnam, from Quang Binh southward, including Phu Quoc. Like many other festivals, it is a prayer for good fishing: for calm seas, favorable winds, prosperous catches, and general well-being. This festival is the largest water-based celebration for fishermen. It is known by various names such as the procession of the whale god’s spirit, the fishery prayer festival, or simply the Ong procession. All these festivals share the belief that the whale is a divine creature of the sea, protecting fishermen and sea workers. This belief has become a common folk tradition passed down through generations in these coastal communities. The festival’s timing varies by location.

Typically, the Ong Procession Festival includes traditional procession and worship ceremonies. The procession begins with the idol of the Southern Sea General being carried on a royal boat out to sea. Along the route, fishermen and locals prepare offerings, with incense rising in the air. Hundreds of decorated boats, both large and small, follow the royal boat to the sea to welcome Ong. The boats are adorned with vibrant flags and flowers, and carry thousands of participants and spectators. Upon returning to shore, a lion dance, dragon dance, and other performances greet the god’s spirit at the temple. The worship ceremony follows the procession, with traditional rituals held at the Whale God Temple. Before the festival, hundreds of fishing boats are decorated with flags and anchored along the riverbank. The festival also includes solemn rites and celebratory activities such as the boat procession, and various offerings to Ong.

Location: The coastal communities of Central and Southern Vietnam.

After the Lunar New Year, Phu Yen Province is home to many festivals, with the horse racing festival on Go Thi Thung Hill in An Xuan, Tuy An District, on the 9th day of Tet, standing out as the main event, drawing attention and excitement from locals and visitors alike. In Phu Yen, the 9th day of the Lunar New Year has become a tradition where people gather at Go Thi Thung to watch the races. It's unclear exactly when this horse racing event started, but it’s known that after the region was liberated, the mountain village was quiet during Tet, so local youth began gathering to race their horses at Go Thi Thung. The hill, wide and flat, is adorned with wild purple flowers, creating a beautiful backdrop for the race. The racing horses are typically those that are used by the villagers for hauling goods to the fields, and they are dressed in colorful cloth to add to the ceremonial atmosphere. Local girls often gather wildflowers from the surrounding hills to present to the winners. What started as a friendly competition between villages has grown, now involving neighboring communes in three districts: Dong Xuan, Son Hoa, and Tuy An. The province has invested in improving the event over the years.

Preparations for the horse racing festival on Go Thi Thung begin on the evening of the 8th day of Tet. The procession of horses and jockeys makes its way to the racecourse for final practice before the event. At 8:30 AM on the 9th day, thousands of spectators from the communes of Son Long, Son Dinh, Son Xuan (Son Hoa District), Xuan Phuoc, Xuan Son Nam (Dong Xuan District), and from 16 other communes and towns across Tuy An District, as well as from outside the province, flood the hill, eager for the races under the warm first sun of the new year. After the opening drum beats, the parade of horses and riders circles the field to greet the crowd. Young jockeys as young as 14 and those as old as 60, some with decades of racing experience, take part in the event. Interestingly, the race features mostly female horses, used by the locals for hauling goods, while male horses are only present for show. Despite the fact that neither the horses nor the riders are professional, the atmosphere at the racecourse is full of energy and excitement, with cheers, clapping, and the sound of drums building the tension and excitement of the race.

Location: Go Thi Thung, An Xuan, Tuy An, Phu Yen.

Ba Den Mountain Festival, also known as the Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival, is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month. However, pilgrims from all over begin their visits to the site right after the Lunar New Year. Most come to pray for good fortune, health, and protection from harm. The main ritual, the Via ceremony, takes place on the 5th and 6th days of the first lunar month. Visitors start their journey from the foot of the mountain, walking and climbing until they reach the halfway point, where they stop at the Linh Son Thanh Mau Temple to offer prayers and rest. Those who feel strong enough continue up to the top to worship at the main shrine. Preparations for the Via ceremony begin days in advance, with the bathing and dressing of the statue of the Goddess occurring on the night of the 3rd and 4th days of the 5th lunar month. The temple doors are shut, and the lights are dimmed, leaving only six women, including three nuns, to begin the sacred bath and dress the statue. Pilgrims approach, light incense, and ask permission to participate in this sacred ritual. In a circle, under the guidance of the eldest woman, they bathe the statue with water infused with forest herbs, and later, a hint of fragrance is added. Once the statue is clean, they dry it with cloths and dress it in new robes. Afterward, incense is lit once more, and the temple is brightened up as doors are opened for other visitors to enter and pray. The next few days are filled with various cultural performances, such as shadow puppetry, folk opera, and dances offering flowers and gifts. On the 5th day of the lunar month, the festival reaches its peak, marked by the “Ten Offerings Ceremony” where people present incense, flowers, fruits, cakes, and wine. Monks chant throughout the day to honor the Goddess. The 6th day is reserved for memorial rituals for the spirits of the deceased and offerings for the local community. The evening sees further prayers and offerings, continuing the festival spirit. Pilgrims remain in the area to pray and perform their rituals long after the festival concludes.

Location: Thạnh Tân, Tây Ninh, Tây Ninh.

Tran Temple is a temple complex located on Tran Thu Street, Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City (near National Highway 10), dedicated to the Tran kings and officials who supported the Tran Dynasty. The temple was constructed in 1695 on the site of the original royal temple, which was destroyed by the Ming army in the 15th century. The Tran Temple complex consists of three main structures: the Heavenly Temple (or Upper Temple), the Co Trach Temple (or Lower Temple), and the Trung Hoa Temple. Before entering the temple, visitors must pass through a five-gate entrance, with the inscription 'Chinh Nam Mon' and 'Tran Mieu.' After passing through the gate, there is a rectangular pond, and at the back of the pond lies the Heavenly Temple. To the west of the Heavenly Temple is the Trung Hoa Temple, and to the east is the Co Trach Temple. All three temples share a similar architectural style and size, each consisting of a five-bay front hall, a five-bay middle hall, and a three-bay main sanctuary. The front and middle halls are connected by a ceremonial space with two side rooms.

Tran Temple Festival is held annually from the 15th to the 20th day of the eighth lunar month in Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City, to honor the 14 Tran kings. Since 2000, Nam Dinh has organized the opening ceremony of the Tran Temple Festival on the early morning of the 15th day of the first lunar month. Initially, the ceremony was held within the confines of the Tức Mặc village but has gradually grown into a larger festival. The 'Tran Mieu Tu Dien' is a special seal used during the festival, shaped like a square and made of wood. It was crafted during the Nguyen Dynasty at the turn of the 20th century. The seal features two dragons carved on its eastern and western sides, and the southern edge is inscribed with the phrase 'Tich Phuc Vo Cuong.' The seal symbolizes the customs and rituals of worshipping at the Tran family temple in Tức Mặc village, and it has a historical significance to the Tran clan.

Location: Tran Thu Street, Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City.

The Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Vegetarian Ritual, is an annual local tradition in the town of Tam Vu (Chau Thanh, Long An). It is celebrated during the middle of the first lunar month, from the 14th to the 16th of January. The name 'Vegetarian' originates from the local mispronunciation of the word 'Trai Dan,' which refers to a Buddhist ritual. The festival commemorates the suppression of the uprising led by Đỗ Tường Phong and Đỗ Tường Tự in 1878, during French colonial rule. On April 26, 1878, the French executed Đỗ Tường Tự in the former Tam Vu market square. The locals buried him near the old Dương Xuân temple, as per his last wish. A few days later, on April 29, the French executed Đỗ Tường Phong at the Tân An cemetery. Around the same time, an outbreak of pestilence severely affected the local crops, prompting the people of Tam Vu to organize the Vegetarian Ritual as a way to drive away pests and pray for the souls of the fallen national heroes. Over time, this ritual evolved into a regular festival.

The main purpose of the festival is to restore traditional folk values, pray for favorable weather, peace, and prosperity, and ensure bountiful harvests for the people. The event takes place annually from the 14th to the 16th day of the first lunar month at various locations, including Tân Xuân Temple, Linh Phước Pagoda, Ông Temple, and the Tam Vu Market. On the 14th, the locals inspect the ceremonial 'Ông Tiêu,' elect a festival committee, and perform related rituals. Various festival committees and participants are clearly assigned roles. A festival organizing committee is formed with 10 members, funded by local contributions. The members do not receive any compensation and participate solely to preserve the tradition and provide entertainment for the local community. Offerings donated by the locals are brought to the main altar, and the ceremonial space is prepared for the event.

Location: Tam Vu Town, Chau Thanh, Long An.

Every year, on the 10th day of the first lunar month, the residents of Phú Mậu commune, Phú Vang district, Thừa Thiên-Huế, gather to celebrate the Sinh Wrestling Festival. This traditional cultural event has been preserved and passed down for over 400 years, dating back to the Nguyễn Dynasty. The start of the lunar new year marks the beginning of various festivals, and along with traditional rituals, cultural performances, and folk sports like tug-of-war, cock fighting, bull fighting, kite flying, shuttlecock kicking, and human chess, the festival attracts spectators from across the country. Wrestling is one of the most popular events and has become an indispensable tradition in the New Year's celebrations. After over 400 years of development, the Sinh Wrestling competition continues to take place annually on the 10th day of the first lunar month, showcasing the martial spirit of the people of Hue and preserving the cultural heritage of the nation.

The Sinh Wrestling Festival generally follows the rules of traditional Vietnamese wrestling. Wrestlers must defeat three opponents in the preliminary rounds, using techniques that force their opponents' backs to touch the ground, with their bellies facing up. Those who win the preliminary rounds move on to the semifinals, where they must defeat one more opponent to reach the finals. Beyond its spiritual significance, such as praying for the health of the people, peace for the village, and abundant crops, the festival promotes physical fitness, courage, confidence, and strategic thinking among the younger generation. The festival takes on even greater significance when the Sinh village's communal house receives a historical landmark certification from the Thừa Thiên-Huế People's Committee.

Location: Lai Ân Communal House, Phú Mậu Commune, Phú Vang District, Hue.

Known for its beautiful beaches, Binh Dinh also boasts the Dong Da Festival held annually at the start of the lunar new year. This festival is a tribute to the great hero King Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue and the legendary battle of Ngoc Hoi Dong Da. It also serves to preserve the traditional cultural values, helping present and future generations understand and honor the sacrifices of their ancestors. Every year, during the Lunar New Year, people flock to the festival, celebrating both its historic significance and cultural festivities. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Vietnam hosts over 8,000 festivals annually, but the Dong Da Festival in Binh Dinh stands out as one of the largest, attracting participants from across the country and even international tourists who cannot find such a unique celebration elsewhere.

On the 4th and 5th days of the lunar new year, the festival takes place at the Quang Trung Museum in the village of Kien My, Phu Phong town, Tay Son district. It includes traditional rituals and exciting folk games. The ceremony begins with an offering at the Tay Son temple, where prayers are read, incense and flowers are offered in front of a large audience. The ceremony is made even more spectacular by the accompaniment of drums, horns, and modern music that echoes the heroic spirit of the land. The festivities immerse all in the grand atmosphere of the sacred land that shaped the nation's history. But it is the public celebration that follows that truly delights visitors. Attendees can witness grand martial arts performances by the best masters and athletes in Binh Dinh, showcasing famous martial arts forms from the Tay Son dynasty such as Lão Mai Độc Thọ, Hùng Kê Quyền, Ngọc Trản Quyền, as well as traditional weaponry forms like Song Phượng Kiếm, Lôi Long Đao, Lôi Phong Tùy Hình Kiếm, Tuyết Hoa Song Kiếm, and others. Spectators cheer with loud applause and enthusiastic chants, making the atmosphere even more electrifying.

Location: Quang Trung Museum, Kien My village, Phu Phong town, Tay Son district.

The Long Tong Festival, also known as the "Rice Field Opening Festival" in the Tay language, is celebrated at the beginning of the lunar year to offer gratitude to the earth, gods, and deities, praying for good weather, abundant harvests, healthy lives, and prosperity for all. This festival is a harmonious blend of cultures, with participation from many ethnic groups such as Tay, Dao, Sán Chay, Kinh, Nung, and Thai. The Long Tong Festival is not only a spiritual event but also a cultural gathering where communities come together to share experiences, help one another in agriculture, and strengthen solidarity among ethnic groups. It also serves as an opportunity to promote local tourism and showcase the region's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and famous products.

The festival kicks off with various traditional sports competitions and folk games such as tug-of-war, stick pushing, con throwing, and blindfolded drum beating. The excitement builds as people from surrounding villages, schools, and local communities participate in these lively games, which bring joy and relaxation to both locals and tourists. The main event of the festival is the ritual of plowing the rice field, led by the Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee. This symbolic act is a special gesture of support for the development of the local economy, particularly in agriculture, and serves to inspire confidence and motivate people to work hard, improve their livelihoods, and build a prosperous future.

Location: Tay ethnic community, Tuyen Quang Province.

The Huong Pagoda Festival, also known as the Pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda, is one of Vietnam's largest and most significant festivals. Located in the scenic Huong Son region of My Duc, Hanoi, this event marks a spiritual journey to a sacred Buddhist site where the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Quan Thế Âm) once meditated. Each spring, as the plum blossoms blanket the mountains of Huong Son, millions of pilgrims from across the country travel to this holy place to offer prayers and seek blessings. It is a time for visitors to connect with nature, find inner peace, and immerse themselves in the area’s rich Buddhist heritage. The festival begins on the 6th day of the lunar new year and lasts until the end of the third lunar month. The Huong Pagoda, a UNESCO recognized site, is not just famous for its natural beauty but also for its spiritual and cultural significance. It is a collection of temples, caves, and shrines set amidst stunning mountains and rivers, blending human-made architecture harmoniously with nature. This sacred landscape has inspired poets, scholars, and kings for centuries, leaving an indelible mark on Vietnam’s cultural memory. In 1770, Lord Trịnh Sâm inscribed the phrase 'Nam Thiên Đệ Nhất Động' (The Most Beautiful Cave in the South) at the entrance to the Hương Tích cave, praising its beauty.

Location: My Duc, Hoai Duc, Hanoi.

The Dong Ky Firecracker Festival (located in Dong Quang, Tu Son) was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. This lively celebration spans four days, from the 4th to the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, and is deeply rooted in a legend about the god Thiên Cương leading troops to defeat the Xích Quỷ invaders. According to local lore, during the reign of the Hung Kings, a hero named Cương Công, the son of the regional lord of Kinh Bac, defeated the Xích Quỷ and was honored with the title of Thiên Cương. As part of his campaign, Thiên Cương passed through Dong Ky to recruit soldiers and generals. On the 4th of January, he ordered the march to battle. The people of Dong Ky commemorated this event by setting off firecrackers, creating a festive atmosphere to rally the troops. After the victory, Thiên Cương returned to Dong Ky to celebrate and thank the gods. Today, the village honors him by holding an annual firecracker contest to reenact his military campaign. Every year, four individuals over the age of 50 are selected to represent the four generals. Each general creates a firecracker, ranging from small (around 5 meters) to the largest, which can stretch up to 15 meters. Though firecracker displays are now symbolic, in compliance with government regulations, the festival still retains the traditional processions and dances. These are joyful customs that continue to thrive today.

Location: Dong Quang, Tu Son, Bac Ninh.