Famous New Year's festivals in Vietnam

Throughout the S-shaped land, there are numerous New Year's festivals held to preserve valuable traditional customs. Let's explore some of the most famous festivals!

Northern Vietnam

Huong Pagoda Festival

The Huong Pagoda Festival is one of the most famous traditional New Year's festivals. It takes place at the scenic Huong Pagoda complex (My Duc district, Hanoi). The festival runs from the 6th day of the Lunar New Year and lasts until the end of the third lunar month. This festival is not only a time for people to show their respect to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, but also an opportunity for everyone to pray for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Dong Da Mound Festival

The Dong Da Mound Festival takes place on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year. Since the liberation of Hanoi on October 10, 1954, it has become a national holiday. The festival is held to honor the achievements of King Quang Trung. During the event, many games are played, showcasing the martial spirit. Among them, the most unique is the Thang Long fire dragon procession. The Dong Quang Pagoda near Dong Da Mound also hosts a memorial service to honor the heroes.

Tran Temple Seal Opening Festival

The Tran Temple Seal Opening Festival occurs between midnight on the 14th and the beginning of the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. It is held at the Tran Temple historical site in Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City. The festival lasts three days, from the 13th to the 15th day of the first lunar month each year. This is one of the most famous New Year's festivals, dedicated to honoring the kings of the Tran Dynasty. The event begins with the seal-opening ceremony at the hour of the Rat. Seals are distributed at three locations: the Giai Vu house, the Trùng Hoa temple exhibition hall, and the Tran Temple’s garden area.

Hung Kings' Death Anniversary

The Hung Kings' Death Anniversary is one of the most significant traditional holidays in Vietnam. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month at the Hung Kings Temple complex in Phu Tho. The event commemorates and honors the Hung Kings, the founders of ancient Vietnam. This holiday is an opportunity for the Vietnamese people to express deep gratitude to their ancestors who established the nation. It is also a time to honor the tradition of 'Drinking water, remembering its source'.

Yen Tu Festival

The Yen Tu Festival takes place from the 10th day of the Lunar New Year and lasts for three months. Yen Tu is where the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect was founded. The winding, rugged path to the mountain peak passes through pine and bamboo forests. The main activities of the festival include pilgrimages to the summit, prayers, and visits to historical and spiritual sites. This journey is not only a spiritual one but also an opportunity to honor the contributions of King Tran Nhan Tong, the Buddha King.

Central Vietnam

The Mai King Temple Festival

The Mai King Temple Festival is held from the 3rd to the 5th day of the Lunar New Year. This festival honors King Mai Hac De. His real name was Mai Thuc Loan, born and raised in Dong Liet village (now Nam Thai commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province).

The Sinh Village Wrestling Festival

The Sinh Village Wrestling Festival is held annually on the 10th day of the Lunar New Year at Sinh Village, Hue City. The festival is not only a traditional event but also a fun and healthy activity that showcases the spirit of martial arts.

The Fish Worship Festival (Central Coastal Vietnam)

The Fish Worship Festival, also known as the Whale Worship Festival, is a traditional celebration among the fishing communities along the coast. The festival vividly reenacts the custom of honoring the Whale God based on local folklore. Each year in January, fishermen organize the festival in hopes of peaceful seas and abundant catches of fish and shrimp.

Southern Vietnam

The Ba Thien Hau Temple Festival

The Ba Thien Hau Temple Festival takes place over three days, from the 13th to the 15th day of the Lunar New Year in Binh Duong. On the night of the 13th, people often set up altars in front of their homes to offer prayers in preparation for the procession on the following day. On the 14th day of the Lunar New Year, the traditional procession of Ba Thien Hau is held, with the palanquin of the goddess carried through the streets, accompanied by lion dances, dragon dances, and other festivities. On the final day, people visit the Ba Thien Hau Temple to light incense and pray for blessings.

The Temple of Saint Tran Festival

The annual New Year's Festival at the Temple of Saint Tran takes place from the 8th to the 10th of the first lunar month in Ho Chi Minh City. This event is an opportunity to honor the contributions of Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn while also serving as a time to educate younger generations about the nation's rich cultural traditions.

The Ba Den Mountain Festival

The Ba Den Mountain Festival starts on the 4th day of the Lunar New Year. Every year, from the evening of the 30th of the Lunar New Year until the end of the second month, many pilgrims gather to visit the mountain. This festival is dedicated to honoring and paying tribute to Linh Mụ (or Ba Den), a highly revered local deity. As visitors ascend the mountain, they can stop at the Linh Sơn Thánh Mẫu Temple or the Sơn Thần Shrine along the way.

According to Mytour.vn

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Source: Mytour.vn Travel Guide