One of the best ways to make sure that your trip to northern
Vietnam is an unforgettable one is to plan it around the time of the festivals celebrated in the country. Inspired by the Chinese Lunar calendar, most of the cultural events and festivals in northern Vietnam are celebrated during specific times of the year.
These festivals will not only let you witness and absorb the culture of the country but also give you a soul-touching experience.
Yen Tu Festival
Every year Yen Tu Festival happens from the tenth day to the end of March on the lunar calendar in Yen Tu Mountain area of Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City,
Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam. Yen Tu was The Buddhism’s center of Dai Viet before. It was also placed founding the Zen sect of Truc Lam. Pilgrims and tourists join Yen Tu Festival to separate themselves from the carnal world, come to Buddhist world.
Lim Festival
Lim Festival in Bac Ninh happens annually on January around 12th-13th on the lunar calendar. The festival occurs in Lim Town, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam. It is the festival of Quan Ho Singing, which has been one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009.
The festival in Bac Ninh aims to express gratitude and respect of the locals to God Nguyen Dinh Dien who had the merit of restoring many temples, pagodas, and festivals including to Lim festival. The festival is also an occasion to remember the origin of Lim Festival as well.
Perfume Pagoda Festival draws throngs of local pilgrims from all over Vietnam to
Ha Noi’s iconic Perfume Pagoda, where they to pray for a prosperous year and pay their respects to Buddha. The pilgrimage starts with a dragon dance at Den Trinh Pagoda on the 15th day of the 1st Lunar, where pilgrims and even travelers travel by boat along the Yen River to the base of Huong Mountain, passing by limestone caves and rice fields. The journey continues on foot by climbing hundreds of stone steps towards Huong Tich Cave, offering a colourful display of food offerings, statues of deities, lit incenses, and praying locals.
Dong Da Hillock Festival
Dong Da Hillock Festival takes places annually on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year at Dong Da Hillock, Quang Trung Ward, Dong Da District, Ha Noi Capital. The festival aims to respect the great merit of King Quang Trung, the hero in the history opposing aggression of the Vietnamese nation and to memorize the famous battle of Ngoc Hoi, Dong Da.
Giong Temple Festival
This large festival is held on the 9th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar. The date commemorates Saint Giong who defeated the An invaders. In order to show their gratitude to the hero of Giong Village who sacrificed his life to fight invaders, the people proclaimed him Saint Giong.
Preparation for the festival occurs from the 1st day of the 3rd lunar month to the 5th day of the 4th lunar month. The procession starts from the Mother Temple to Thuong Temple with the performance of a religious service. After reaching the temple, a feast for the troops occurs. When night falls, a Cheo play is performed (a classical Vietnamese opera). This festival blends together the traditions of love for the motherland and the preservation of the cultural heritage.
Xoan Festival
Xoan Festival is organized in Huong Nha village, Tam Thanh District,
Phu Tho province from the 7th to the 10th of the first lunar month. The festival aims to celebrate Xuan Nuong, a talented woman general of Hai Ba Trung and praise the work of Hung Kings.
During the festival days, many performances will be held to serve travelers. The festival also holds the Xoan singing contest, a cultural and artistic character of the land group.
Read more:
What do you know about Hoi An Lantern Festival?
Source Internet
