Top 9 Most Unique Cultural Festivals in Bac Giang Province

Xương Giang Festival is a unique cultural event in Bac Giang. Although it was revived only in 1998, it has quickly become an important cultural tradition for the province. The festival emphasizes historical and educational values, commemorating the victory of the Đại Việt army over the invading Ming troops at the Battle of Chi Lăng - Xương Giang in 1427. This victory is symbolically reenacted through various cultural activities that honor the national heroism.

The festival takes place on the 6th and 7th of the Lunar New Year. It is a major event that attracts attention nationwide. The festival features procession groups from temples, shrines, and communal houses from across the region. These processions from villages like Kế, Thành, Yên Hòa, and Đa Mai all converge at the central festival grounds where the flag-raising ceremony, reading of the "Đại cáo bình Ngô" (Proclamation of the Victory), and military parade are held. After the formal ceremonies, the villages of Thành and Vẽ host their own local festivities, featuring traditional games such as Chinese chess, Chèo singing at the pagoda, incense offerings, and rituals to honor local deities...

Suối Mỡ (Lục Nam District) is a popular tourist destination in Bac Giang, offering a blend of both relaxation and spiritual tourism. When it comes to spiritual tourism in Suối Mỡ, the focus immediately turns to the festivals held at the Lower, Middle, and Upper Temples. These festivals take place annually on the 1st day of the 4th lunar month to honor Princess Quế Mỵ Nương, the daughter of King Hùng Định Vương. She is celebrated for her efforts in providing water for farming and improving the lives of the local people, bringing prosperity and happiness to the community.

The Suối Mỡ Temple Festival consists of two main parts: a procession led by the villagers of Dùm and Quỷnh, followed by various traditional competitions such as archery, ethnic martial arts, stick dancing, sword dancing, and performances of traditional musical instruments. In the evening, the temple hosts a Chầu Văn singing performance for visitors to enjoy.

Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda Festival, also known as the La Pagoda Festival, is celebrated on the 14th day of the 2nd lunar month each year in Đức La Village, Trí Yên Commune, Yên Dũng District. The Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda is one of the most historically significant and culturally valuable temples in Bac Giang province and throughout Vietnam. Built during the Lý and Trần dynasties (12th - 13th century), it belongs to the Trúc Lâm Zen Buddhist sect.

During the festival, monks, nuns, and Buddhists from various regions gather at the pagoda to light incense, chant sutras, and pray. Local residents as well as visitors from afar eagerly participate in the festivities, offering prayers for good fortune in the coming year.

Dành Mountain, also known as Chung Sơn, is a majestic mountain range located to the east of Tân Yên District. Its towering peaks rise hundreds of meters above sea level, surrounded by lush forests of pine, acacia, and eucalyptus. Notably, the 70-year-old pine forest remains green year-round, casting its reflection upon the serene Thương River. At the summit of Dành Mountain sits Dành Temple, which dates back to the Lê Dynasty. Over the centuries, the temple has undergone several renovations, preserving its current form. The temple honors Cao Sơn- Quý Minh, the heroes who helped King Hùng Vương the 18th defend the nation against invaders.

The Dành Temple Festival takes place annually on the 19th and 20th of the first lunar month. While the temple may not stand out for its architectural grandeur compared to other temples, it attracts a large number of visitors each year, especially young couples seeking blessings for love and relationships. The temple’s stunning natural surroundings and its reputation for being a sacred and powerful site contribute to its popularity with both pilgrims and tourists.

Vồng Communal House sits atop a high land area in Song Vân Commune, Tân Yên District. It is dedicated to Cao Sơn-Quý Minh and 18 military generals from the Mạc Dynasty, who were local figures of the Dương family. The house is large, with intricate architecture and carvings. In the past, many leaders of the Yên Thế peasant movement would come here to perform rituals before heading into battle, seeking divine protection for their campaigns. Even when Tôn Thất Thuyết was sent by the royal court to suppress the Đại Trận uprising, he visited Vồng Communal House to offer his prayers.

The Vồng Communal House Festival has a long history and is held annually on the 15th and 16th of the first lunar month.

During the festival, visitors are treated to an impressive and solemn procession, as well as a traditional horse sacrifice ritual accompanied by a unique prayer. In addition to these spiritual activities, guests can also enjoy various sports competitions and lively folk games such as wrestling, martial arts performances, horse racing, archery, tug-of-war, cock fighting, chess, shuttlecock kicking, kite flying, and more.

Every year, on the 9th day of the first lunar month, the people of Tiên Lục celebrate the lively Tiên Lục Festival. The main events take place at Viễn Sơn Communal House, Thuận Hoà Communal House, and Phúc Quang Pagoda, creating a vast space for the festivities. In the picturesque spring setting, with lush green mountains, visitors will be captivated by the sight of the ancient Dã Hương tree, over a thousand years old, standing next to the Viễn Sơn Communal House (also known as the Dã Tree Communal House), enduring through the ages.

During the festival, not only local residents but also visitors from afar, as well as those who have moved away, return to join in the celebration, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. After the vibrant procession, a solemn ritual honoring the deity Cao Sơn, who is worshipped here, takes place. The festival also includes a series of fun and exciting activities such as bridge-stealing contests, word-pulling games, swinging, tug-of-war, wrestling, and cockfighting. In addition, there is a traditional food contest where participants prepare dishes like sticky rice, pork, pig intestines, vegetables, pork bone soup, and more, drawing large crowds.

The Từ Hả Temple, located in Hồng Giang commune, Lục Ngạn district, Bắc Giang province, holds an annual festival to honor General Thân Cảnh Phúc, the son-in-law of Princess Thiên Thành during the reign of King Lý Nhân Tông. He played a crucial role in the defense against the Song Dynasty's invasion in the 11th century (1075-1077).

The festival takes place from the 6th to the 8th day of the first lunar month. It includes a ceremony to honor this national hero, along with a procession that reenacts his military campaign. This procession is the unique highlight of the Từ Hả Temple Festival. The event is highly regarded for its educational value, as it commemorates the glorious past of the nation and helps the younger generation understand the efforts of their ancestors in defending and building the country. Through this, it instills a deeper sense of patriotism and love for the homeland in the youth.

The Thổ Hà Temple Festival (Vân Hà commune, Việt Yên district, Bắc Giang) is held annually from the 19th to the 21st of the first lunar month. However, the procession is only organized once every three years. The Thổ Hà Temple is a famous landmark in the ancient Kinh Bắc region, known for its intricate and unique architectural carvings. The temple was built to honor the village's guardian deity.

The festival is divided into two main parts. The first part is the grand procession, a well-organized and ceremonial event to welcome the deity to join the villagers in the celebration. People pray for blessings of health, prosperity, and happiness for their families and community in the coming year. The second part features traditional folk games such as cock fighting, boat racing, wrestling, chess playing, and duck catching. However, the highlight of the festival is the performance of Quan Họ singing, a traditional folk art of the region. The Thổ Hà Temple Festival has become a proud cultural tradition for the people of Bắc Giang and continues to enrich Vietnam's cultural heritage.

The Bổ Đà Temple Festival is held annually from the 16th to the 18th of the second lunar month, at the Bổ Đà mountain area in Tiên Sơn commune, Việt Yên district. This ancient temple, built during the Lê Trung Hưng dynasty under King Lê Dụng Tông (1705-1728), during the Bảo Thái reign (1720-1729), has long been a place of cultural significance. Today, the temple is not only a repository of the nation's rich traditions but also a spiritual center for the people of Kinh Bắc and beyond.

Visitors to the Bổ Đà Temple Festival will have the opportunity to learn more about the Buddhist teachings of the Trúc Lâm Zen school and explore the unique architectural style of ancient Vietnamese temples. The festival immerses participants in the sweet melodies of Quan Họ folk songs, a treasured tradition of the Kinh Bắc region.