Buzz
People grow up surrounded by the soothing lullabies of grandmothers and mothers, immersed in the sacred emotions of family, village, homeland, and country, intricately tied to unique cultural traits carrying profound meanings.
Tuý Loan Village Festival – Timeless Cultural Essence
The festival spans two days, on the 9th and 10th days of the first lunar month, in Hoa Phuong commune, Hoa Vang district, 15 km southwest of Da Nang city center. As one of the villages preserving ancient traditions, characteristic of the S-shaped land with rich history, enduring through the ups and downs of time, with over 500 years of existence, Tu Loan Village stands as a testament to cultural heritage.
The gracefully arched communal house, where Da Nang festivals unfold, and the activities of the village have thrived for over a century. Built in 1889, during the first year of Thanh Thai's reign, it spans over 110 m2 and is situated within an expansive 8,000 m2 compound. As tradition dictates, every year on the 9th and 10th days of the first lunar month, the East and West hamlets buzz with preparations for the village festival, filled with the joyful spirit of the land and people in spring.
The village festival at this tourist destination is organized on a grand scale, preserving the fundamental steps. First is the procession of the seal, a small table prepared for the seal, carried by 4 people, surrounded by red and yellow fabric, with a canopy overhead. Following closely are 9 flags, 1 square and 8 crossed. Enveloped in that sacred atmosphere are the sounds of gongs and drums, the melodies of the octet music band, adding an extra layer of solemnity to the festival.
After parading around the village, the seal is brought back to the communal house for the incense offering ceremony, commemorating the ancestral merits of the Dang, Lam, Nguyen, Tran, Le families – those who ventured southwards during the Hong Duc era, chose this place to settle, and named the village Tu Loan.
In addition, visitors can participate in various lively traditional games at the Tu Loan village festival, closely tied to the water rice agriculture, such as tug of war, jumping rope, pot smashing, rice cooking, Chinese chess... Sometimes, it's traditional opera, singing dialogues, flirting, creating a lively and rhythmic festival atmosphere.
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The competition unfolds with two teams, representing the East and West hamlets, creating a lively atmosphere. With graceful movements, clever young women expertly bake the rice paper, and the victorious ones bring home glory, contributing to the recognition of an enduring traditional craft in the village. At the communal house, villagers exchange new rice varieties, seedlings, cultivation techniques, enriching everyone with valuable agricultural experiences.
Participating in the Tu Loan village communal house festival is an opportunity for tourists to gain deeper insights into a region, a custom preserved and passed down through generations in the Tu Loan village in Da Nang.
The An Hai Village Festival – Majestic Past
When mentioning Da Nang festivals, the An Hai village festival is undoubtedly unforgettable, carrying profound spiritual significance for the locals. It stands as a highlight in the effort to preserve the cultural treasures of the Da Nang region.
The An Hai village communal house festival was revived in 2000, organized annually over two autumn days, from the 10th to the 11th day of the 8th lunar month, at An Hai village in An Hai Tay ward, Son Tra district, Da Nang city.
The An Hai village communal house festival serves as a reminder for the local residents to take pride in a glorious past when the Nguyen kings constructed a sturdy citadel right in the village, named An Hai Citadel. It, along with Dien Hai Citadel to the west, tirelessly guarded the coastal area of the Da Nang tourist destination. Unfortunately, it suffered severe damage in the early hours of September 1, 1858, when French forces advanced to this location.
As time inexorably flows, burying the last traces of An Hai Citadel under a hazy layer of dust, the glorious past is still recounted through the most treasured remnants. The name of the land and the village echoes the resounding echoes of heroic history, symbolizing the spirit, will, and strength of the people.
The festival at this tourist destination, the An Hai village communal house festival, unfolds at the communal house in a sacred, majestic atmosphere, reminiscent of historical moments. After the ceremony, both villagers and tourists move towards the riverbank to participate in the basket boat racing competition, an enticing activity for the coastal residents, seemingly ingrained in their blood.
The main festival is the most anticipated part with a vibrant atmosphere, capturing hearts and seemingly making people forget about time. Every moment of the day is utilized by the locals; if the sun is still shining, competitions like Chinese chess, tug of war, and rowing are organized. As the sunset descends, people engage in lion dance teams to the sound of gongs and drums, in grandiose dance moves. As the night falls, under the dense darkness, traditional singing and Tuong performances take center stage, exuding the essence of the ethnic culture. This is just the first day of the festival.
Moving on to the 11th day, the formal ceremony begins with traditional ethnic rituals, performed with love and care by the villagers.
If you happen to travel to Da Nang during the An Hai village festival, it's recommended for tourists to visit and immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere to enjoy the lively ambiance and gain insights into the cultural richness of ancient villages.
The Hoa My Village Festival – Ancient Roots
The Da Nang Festival in Hoa My village spans over a day on the 12th day of the lunar new year at Hoa My communal house, Lien Chieu district, Da Nang city. The village communal house festival aims to invoke the spirit towards the roots of the villagers and commemorate the ancestors who contributed to the country, building Hoa My village for over 400 years.
Before the official opening of the festival, the villagers had a period to prepare, along both sides of Nguyen Huy Tuong street leading to the communal house area, colorful floral banners adorned the surroundings. The communal house area was meticulously arranged with all ceremonial items, space... to welcome people from all over, eager to join this culturally significant festival.
The solemn ceremony following traditional rituals includes the vigil and the formal equestrian ceremony, with the desire for national prosperity, peace, liberation, and ritual offerings. The festival program is diverse, combining modernity with the preservation of traditional elements.
After the grand ceremony at this tourist destination, the festival becomes lively and vibrant. The running competition always kicks off the festivities, not just a simple enjoyment but a grand test of endurance and resilience, attracting a diverse range of participants. Additionally, each age group has its own competition, such as the elderly showcasing health practices, and the youth engaging in flower arrangement, cooking, and baking competitions.
From the evening of the 11th lunar day, in the area around the communal house, a rustic countryside food market officially opens with traditional folk dishes, creating a vibrant rural atmosphere. It serves as a reminder for descendants that, no matter where they go, they should never forget their roots and ancestors.
Participating in Da Nang festivals is a unique form of travel for tourists, seemingly distant experiences that are right before their eyes. The past, present, and future intertwine, blending into a divine, mystical, yet simple and rustic palette.
