Top 6 Largest Festivals in Ben Tre That Attract Tourists

Nguyen Dinh Chieu (1822 – 1888) may not have been born in Ben Tre, but he spent a significant part of his life and artistic career in this land. He was not only a physician and educator but also a poet, with many patriotic works that left a profound impact on people from all walks of life. To honor Nguyen Dinh Chieu, the people of Ben Tre organize the Nguyen Dinh Chieu Festival annually on July 1st, his birthday, with traditional ceremonies and various cultural, artistic, and sports activities. This festival is also recognized as the cultural tradition festival of Ben Tre province, aimed at instilling the love for the country in today’s and future generations.

The ceremonial part of the festival is held with great solemnity, including incense offerings and a memorial ceremony at the Nguyen Dinh Chieu historical site. After the recitation of the “Funeral Poem for the Heroes of Can Gio” in a respectful atmosphere, there are re-enactments of the story of Luc Van Tien rescuing Kieu Nguyet Nga from the famous work “Luc Van Tien” by the poet.

The festivities are equally lively, featuring activities such as free herbal medicine distribution, cooking contests, tug-of-war, clay pot smashing, drum performances, the Don Ca Tai Tu Festival, costume contests for characters from “Luc Van Tien,” poetry recitations, lion dances, martial arts competitions, and more. Visitors to the Ben Tre Cultural Tradition Festival also have the opportunity to explore exhibitions showcasing the economic and social achievements of Ben Tre, as well as works of literature by Nguyen Dinh Chieu and learn about the poet’s life and career.

The Nguyen Dinh Chieu Festival, held annually on his birthday, is a major celebration and a point of pride for the people of Ben Tre. Through this festival, the values of the educator, healer, and patriotic poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu are promoted, contributing positively to preserving national cultural heritage and local traditions.

The Coconut Festival of Ben Tre is an event celebrating the coconut tree, held in Ben Tre province. The festival has been organized five times in the years (Quang Đại) 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2019. The first two festivals were held on a local scale, but starting in 2012, it has been organized on a national level.

Ben Tre holds the largest coconut plantation area in Vietnam, covering over 52,000 hectares, with an annual production accounting for 36% of the nation's total coconut yield. The value of coconut-based products represents more than 25% of the province's industrial output. Ben Tre's coconut products are exported to over 50 countries and territories globally, with exports contributing to more than 40% of the province's total export revenue. By the beginning of 2015, Ben Tre had 63,000 hectares of coconuts out of the national total of more than 150,000 hectares.

The Coconut Festival of Ben Tre is widely recognized for its grand scale and the array of captivating activities it offers. If you visit Ben Tre during the festival, you’ll gain deeper insight into the importance of the coconut tree in the region and participate in numerous exciting cultural and artistic events.

According to the beliefs of the Vietnamese people in general, and the people of the South in particular, it is customary to worship deities. Almost every region has its own tutelary god - a figure who played a key role in establishing and protecting the land. During the Lunar New Year, depending on the customs of each village, the locals will organize a ritual (known as a shrine worship or Kỳ Yên Festival), which is a prayer for peace and prosperity. The Kỳ Yên Festival is a ceremony praying for "favorable weather, national peace, and people's prosperity". The time, order, and specific details of this ritual vary from place to place. However, it is typically held in a solemn manner at a communal house, temple, or shrine and takes place over three days, comprising two parts: the ritual and the celebration.

The ritual part includes offerings such as incense, wine, and tea, as well as a prayer recited to thank and seek the blessing of the tutelary gods, revered ancestors, the agriculture god, the tiger god, the sea god, and other deities. During the ritual, special importance is given to solemnity, with older individuals, leaders, or those respected in the community often taking charge of the ceremonies.

The celebratory part of the Kỳ Yên Festival is equally remarkable, with various activities such as lion dances, dragon dances, and traditional folk games. People participate in this festival not only to pray for good fortune, wealth, longevity, and health, but also to honor the historical legacy of their ancestors who founded the village. Additionally, attendees can enjoy cultural performances like hát bội and cải lương. However, performances during the Kỳ Yên Festival go beyond mere entertainment; they carry spiritual meanings and must convey moral lessons, concluding on a positive note. Across Southern provinces, hundreds of communal houses, temples, and shrines hold the Kỳ Yên Festival annually, attracting large crowds from surrounding areas.

The Revolutionary Tradition Festival commemorates the legendary victory of the people of Ben Tre in the 1960s. The event marks the 17th January 1960 'Dong Khoi' movement, and it is celebrated annually at the Dong Khoi historical site in Dinh Thuy commune, Mo Cay Nam district. This festival serves as a reminder of the glorious history of the nation and the outstanding victory of the Dong Khoi movement, a significant milestone in the national liberation struggle. It is a shining example for future generations to learn from and preserve their homeland.

The festival honors the revolutionary tradition of the 'Long-Haired Army,' consisting largely of women who played a crucial role in the victory. The participation of Vietnamese heroic mothers, young female soldiers, and other contributors to the struggle for national unification is celebrated here. Today, the festival has grown into a grand event, featuring large stages and a variety of activities, including performances of timeless songs that reflect the heroic spirit of the Dong Khoi movement.

The festival is officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a National Special Heritage Site. It attracts a large number of visitors every year.

The Delicious and Safe Fruit Festival of Ben Tre is one of the province's most prominent events, drawing a large number of visitors from nearby regions and across the country. The festival aims to showcase the tropical fruits of the Mekong Delta and serves as an opportunity to promote tourism in Ben Tre.

Ben Tre province and the wider Mekong Delta region are known for their fertile land, home to abundant orchards full of fruit. Not only famous for its coconuts, this area also boasts a wide variety of delicious local fruits such as Ben Tre’s green grapefruit, oranges, milk fruit, tangerines, guavas, longans, mangoes, and durian. The Delicious and Safe Fruit Festival plays a vital role in bringing these fruits to the attention of people from all over the country. The event has become an annual tradition, held on the 5th of May, with a grand scale. It introduces not only local delicacies of Ben Tre but also specialties of the entire Mekong Delta region. The festival also brings together various orchard owners to collaborate, contributing to the local economic development of Ben Tre. Anyone visiting Ben Tre should plan their trip around this event to sample these unique regional fruits.

The Nghinh Ong Nam Hai Festival in Ben Tre is a traditional celebration that honors the sacred whale deity worshiped by the coastal inhabitants. The purpose of the festival is to express gratitude to the sea god and to pray for safety and good fortune while fishing. This festival is a unique experience for visitors to Ben Tre.

Ben Tre province is located along the East Sea, with approximately 65 kilometers of coastline stretching across three districts: Ba Tri, Binh Dai, and Thanh Phu. For many years, the coastal people of Ben Tre have followed the tradition of whale worship, and the Nghinh Ong Nam Hai Festival is a product of this belief. For the people of Ben Tre, this festival is an essential cultural event, as well as an opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment after the busy farming season. Today, the Nghinh Ong Nam Hai Festival has become a long-standing cultural tradition in the region, attracting thousands of visitors annually.

The Nghinh Ong Nam Hai Festival serves as a moment for the fishing community to express their gratitude to the whale deity and to place their faith and hope in this sacred protector to guide them safely through the dangers of the sea. It is also a prayer for calm seas, favorable weather, and bountiful harvests for the fishermen. The festival reflects the wishes of the coastal people to prosper and achieve success in their livelihoods, while never forgetting the blessings of their ancestors. The festival in Binh Dai lasts from the 15th to the 17th of June in the lunar calendar and draws large crowds of local fishermen and tourists. During the three days of the event, the people of Ben Tre set aside their daily work to come together in worship, share stories, discuss their businesses, and enjoy food and entertainment.