Top 15 Most Famous Traditional Festivals in Northern Vietnam

Huong Pagoda Festival, also known as the pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda, is a significant festival in Vietnam, located in My Duc, Hanoi. Set in the scenic area of Huong Son, it is considered a journey to a sacred land of Buddha, where Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva once meditated. This is one of the largest festivals in Vietnam, with a high number of participants joining the pilgrimage.

The Huong Pagoda Festival is a unique celebration of the Huong Son region, and it is also the biggest temple festival in the country during the beginning of the lunar year, taking place from the 6th day of the Lunar New Year to the end of the 3rd lunar month. Visitors here not only partake in the festival and pray for peace in the new year, but they can also leisurely ride on boats to admire the stunning natural beauty of the area.

One of the four immortals in Vietnamese folklore, Saint Giong is associated with the legend of the boy from Phu Dong village who defeated the An invaders, bringing peace to the country. According to tradition, after vanquishing the enemy, he rode his horse to the foot of Soc Mountain, removed his armor, and then soared to the heavens on an iron horse. This represents one of the most beautiful and heroic figures in the treasure trove of Vietnamese myths. Giong Temple Festival is an annual traditional event held in several locations around Hanoi to commemorate and honor the legendary hero Saint Giong, one of the immortals in Vietnamese folk beliefs.

The Giong Temple Festival takes place annually on the 6th day of the lunar New Year for three days at Soc Son, Hanoi. Visitors can participate in various traditional ceremonies such as the opening of the temple gates, incense offerings, and the presentation of bamboo flowers at the Upper Temple or the shrine of Saint Giong.

Yen Tu Festival in Quang Ninh is one of the largest festivals in Northern Vietnam. Every year during the Lunar New Year, this place attracts thousands of visitors who come to admire the scenery and pay their respects. The festival is held to honor the contributions of King Phat Hoang Tran Nhan Tong, the founder of the Truc Lam Zen sect. Yen Tu Pagoda Festival takes place from the 10th day of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month at the Yen Tu historical and scenic site.

Visitors here can participate in many activities such as incense offerings to the Buddha, paying respects to the Truc Lam founders, and the ceremony of “Sacred Seal of Dong Pagoda,” alongside various folk performances that recreate the historical and spiritual stories, legends about the Three Founders of the Truc Lam Zen sect, as well as other cultural and traditional activities. Additionally, people come to pray for peace and good fortune in the new year.

Co Loa Temple Festival is one of the ancient festivals of Vietnamese culture. Every year, after the traditional Tet holiday, on the 6th day of the lunar new year, the people of Dong Anh gather to celebrate this festival to honor the contributions of King An Duong Vuong, the founder of the first state of Vietnam.

Co Loa is a famous historical site located in Dong Anh district, about 17 kilometers to the northwest of Hanoi's city center. It was once a large fortress and a significant architectural and military landmark, dating back over two millennia. The Co Loa Festival is held on the 6th day of the first lunar month in Dong Anh, Hanoi, to commemorate the great contributions of Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong, the founder of the Au Lac kingdom.

At the festival, visitors can participate in traditional ceremonies such as the procession of the sacred tablet, prayers, and offerings to the gods to honor the spirit of the great king, praying for peace and happiness for all households.

Ban Flower Festival, also known as the Xen Muong Festival, is celebrated by the Thai people in the Northwest region of Vietnam during the second lunar month, when the Ban flowers bloom, covering the mountains and forests of the region. This festival is a tribute to the ancestors and legendary figures of the community, expressing gratitude and prayers for national prosperity, peace, bountiful harvests, and happiness in families.

The Ban Flower Festival reflects the spiritual culture of the Thai ethnic group, with rituals dedicated to the worship of the highest deities, including the 'Then' god, the goddess 'Ban' symbolizing purity and love, as well as various spirits like mountain, river, and forest deities, for blessings such as favorable weather, abundant crops, and harmony in relationships.

The festival, held on the 5th day of the second lunar month, aims to invoke the forest and cave gods' blessings, ensuring peace, prosperity, and good fortune for the community and their agricultural activities.

On the 18th day of the first lunar month each year, the people of Á Lữ village in Đại Đồng Thành commune, Thuận Thành district, Bắc Ninh province, eagerly celebrate the Kinh Dương Vương - Lạc Long Quân - Âu Cơ Festival. This festival reenacts numerous traditional customs and rituals, with the 'ruốc lễ' (water procession) being an essential and unique element. According to legend, the purpose of this water procession is not only to bring water for the ritual offerings, praying for good weather and bountiful crops, but also carries deep humanitarian significance, symbolizing the filial bond: 'calling the father to save the villagers.'

The Kinh Dương Vương Festival is a special celebration that represents cultural unity and expresses deep gratitude and respect to the ancestral origins of Vietnam. Held at the Kinh Dương Vương Temple in Bắc Ninh, this festival allows visitors to participate in a variety of traditional rituals and customs, which are beautifully reenacted during the event.

Lim Festival is a remarkable cultural and artistic activity, part of the long-standing traditional culture in the northern region of Vietnam, with Quan Họ folk songs becoming a shared cultural treasure of the Vietnamese people. These songs represent the lyrical folk music of the northern region.

Lim Festival is celebrated at Lim village's pagoda and along the Tiêu Tương Riverbanks. It became a regional festival in the 18th century when Nguyễn Đình Diễn, the governor of Thanh Hóa, who was from the village of Đình Cả, Nội Duệ in Kinh Bắc, donated his property and wealth to restore the local pagodas, promote the festival, and preserve cultural traditions.

Lim Festival is one of the famous traditional cultural festivals held at the beginning of the lunar new year in the Kinh Bắc region. It takes place annually from the 12th to the 14th of the first lunar month in Bắc Ninh. This special event offers the opportunity to enjoy the renowned Quan Họ folk songs, sung by the villages of the region, along with various traditional rituals and folk games that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the area.

The Battle of Ngọc Hồi – Đống Đa in 1789 stands as one of the most glorious victories in Vietnam’s history of resistance against foreign invaders. Gò Đống Đa Festival attracts not only locals from Hanoi but also visitors from across the country to celebrate this historic event.

The festival is held annually on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year at Đống Đa Hill in Hanoi to honor the great contributions of the national hero, Nguyễn Huệ (King Quang Trung), and the triumphant Tây Sơn Uprising. The event draws a large crowd of spectators, eager to participate in the commemoration.

During the festival, a variety of folk games are held, with the most exciting being the Thăng Long Fire Dragon procession. The crowd is captivated by the intense and heroic atmosphere as groups of people dressed in martial attire surround a dragon made of straw, paper, and bamboo, reenacting the legendary battles with impressive displays of martial arts and staff fighting.

Keo Pagoda is located in Duy Nhất village, Vũ Thư district, Thái Bình province. The pagoda holds two major festivals each year. The Spring Festival begins on the 4th day of the 1st lunar month, while the Autumn Festival takes place on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the 9th lunar month, marking the main celebration.

The Autumn Festival honors and venerates Master Không Lộ, the founder of the pagoda, known for his deep knowledge of Buddhist teachings. He is credited with curing King Lý and was later appointed as the national advisor. The three-day Autumn Festival in September blends agricultural rituals, entertainment, and historical homage to Master Không Lộ.

Throughout the festival, numerous ceremonies are held to express gratitude to the local deities and ancestors. These rituals are a prayer for abundant harvests, peace, prosperity, and good fortune for the community. The festival also features the unique 'Chầu Thánh' ceremony, where a special dance, performed with a combination of traditional chèo and frog-like movements, is showcased.

Alongside the religious observances, the festival boasts a lively array of competitions including boat races, boat processions, duck-catching contests, love song duels, and tug-of-war, creating a vibrant atmosphere that attracts large crowds.

Each year, the Bái Đính Pagoda Festival begins on the 6th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the 3rd lunar month at Bái Đính Pagoda, Gia Sinh commune, Gia Viễn district. This is one of the largest festivals in northern Vietnam during the early spring, marking the start of the pilgrimage season to the ancient capital of Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình.

The festival's spiritual activities include incense offerings to Buddha, honoring the merits of Saint Nguyễn Minh Không, rituals for the god Cao Sơn, and ceremonies for the goddess Mẫu Thượng Ngàn. The festival opens with a procession carrying the statues of these deities from the old pagoda to the new pagoda for the main festival events.

The festival features various cultural and spiritual activities such as traditional processionals, calligraphy writing, folk games, exploring caves, visiting the pagoda's scenic areas, and enjoying performances of Chèo, Xẩm, and Ca trù music, which are traditional art forms of the ancient capital. Additionally, art exhibitions showcasing the history and culture of Bái Đính Pagoda and the Tràng An eco-tourism complex are held. Attendees, including monks and tourists, also participate in the symbolic release of birds as an act of kindness, praying for peace, prosperity, good weather, and the well-being of the nation and its people.

The Xoan Festival is held annually in Hương Nha village, Tam Thanh district, Phú Thọ, from the 7th to the 10th day of the Lunar New Year. This festival honors Xuân Nương, a brave and loyal companion of the Two Sisters Trưng during their legendary rebellion.

As per local legend from the sacred land of Phú Thọ, Xoan singing traces its origins back over 2,000 years to the reign of the Hung Kings. The art form quickly spread throughout the region and became organized into troupes of performers.

Each Xoan troupe consists of 15 to 18 members, or sometimes more. Apart from the leader, other members are typically young men and women aged 16 to 18. Men are referred to as “kép,” while women are called “đào,” with women usually outnumbering the men. The purpose of the festival and its performances is to invoke blessings for good weather, bountiful harvests, and to celebrate nature, rural life, and the hardworking spirit of the farming communities.

The Trần Temple Seal Opening Ceremony takes place in the late hours of the 14th day of the Lunar New Year and continues into the 15th, at the Trần Temple Complex in Lộc Vương Ward, Nam Định City. This event revives an ancient tradition, marking the return of the royal court to work after the Lunar New Year holiday, which traditionally ended on the 15th of January.

The custom of the seal opening dates back to the 13th century, specifically to the year 1239, when the Trần Dynasty first carried out this ceremony to honor their ancestors. The king would host a feast and confer titles upon military and civilian officials who had served the empire. After interruptions during the wars against the Mongols, the ceremony was reinstated in 1262 by Emperor Trần Thánh Tông.

The Trần Temple Festival is held to express gratitude to the heavens and the gods. It spans three temples: Thiên Trường, Trùng Hoa, and Cố Trạch. Visitors come not only to offer incense and prayers to the deities but also to receive the sacred seal, hoping for success and advancement in their careers.

Bà Chúa Kho Temple is located on the slopes of Kho Mountain in Cổ Mễ Village, Vũ Ninh Ward, Bắc Ninh City. Built in the 19th century, this ancient temple features intricate wood carvings in a traditional T-shaped design. It is not only a historical landmark but also a spiritual site that attracts pilgrims from all over the country during the annual festival.

The Bà Chúa Kho Festival is one of the largest in northern Vietnam, held at the Bà Chúa Kho Temple in Bắc Ninh. It begins on the 14th of January and lasts throughout the month. A highlight of the festival is the traditional "offering incense and borrowing money from Bà Chúa," a custom believed to bring wealth and prosperity. The phrase, "Ask for blessings in the beginning of the year, repay them at the end," has been a long-standing tradition among the local people.

The Hùng Kings Temple is located on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, in Hy Cương Commune, Việt Trì City, Phú Thọ Province. This sacred site hosts a national festival every year to honor the Hùng Kings, who founded the Vietnamese nation. The festival takes place from the 1st to the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, with the most solemn ceremony occurring on the 10th. The ritual offerings include fruits, bánh chưng, and bánh dày, commemorating the legend of Lang Liêu and symbolizing the Hùng Kings' contributions to agriculture, particularly rice cultivation.

The procession features various parades, including those of gods, elephants, and palanquins, organized by the villages of Tiên Cương, Hy Cương, Phượng Giao, and Cổ Tích. After the rituals, visitors enjoy performances of xoan singing (at the Upper Temple) and ca trù singing (at the Lower Temple), along with numerous traditional games. The Hùng Kings Festival not only attracts visitors with its cultural richness but also with its deep spiritual significance. It is a pilgrimage to honor the origins of the Vietnamese people, reflecting a deep sense of respect and admiration for the ancestors, regardless of where people live.

Throughout its long history, Viềng Market has evolved into a cultural hub, where the community comes together to showcase local goods and celebrate the beginning of the lunar new year. The Viềng Market Festival takes place on the 8th day of the first lunar month, annually in Kim Thái Commune, Vụ Bản District, and Nam Giang Town, Nam Trực District, Nam Định Province.

Recognized as one of the most unique festivals in Nam Định, the event reflects the essence of the local culture, with the theme of "buying fortune and selling misfortune." Visitors come to partake in cultural exchanges while shopping for local products and offering blessings for a prosperous year ahead. This festival attracts a large crowd, eager to experience this centuries-old tradition.