Traveling to Northern Vietnam This Spring? Don’t Miss These 10 Early-Year Festivals
From the third day of the Lunar New Year onward, locals and visitors from across the country traveling to Northern Vietnam can explore a wide range of distinctive traditional festivals. These events offer a wonderful opportunity to enjoy spring outings, pay respects at sacred sites, and learn more about the rich cultural customs of the Vietnamese people.
1. Dong Da Mound Festival (Hội Gò Đống Đa)
This is a victory festival held to commemorate the great achievements of King Quang Trung, a national hero in Vietnam’s history of resistance against foreign invaders.
The festival features many lively folk games and activities that highlight the martial spirit of the Vietnamese people.
2. Huong Pagoda Festival (Lễ hội chùa Hương)
The Huong Pagoda Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Northern Vietnam, thanks to the picturesque Huong Son scenic complex that attracts visitors from all over. Each spring, from the 6th day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month, crowds gather to attend the festival in Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi.
During the festival, thousands of boats travel back and forth, carrying pilgrims and tourists. Visitors not only embark on a spiritual journey to the Buddha’s realm but also immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural landscape while enjoying hours of scenic boat rides.
3. Tan Vien Son Saint Worship Festival (Lễ hội thờ Tản Viên Sơn Thánh)
This festival originates from the tradition of worshipping Tan Vien Son Saint and aims to preserve and promote the spiritual cultural values associated with his contributions to the Vietnamese people.
On the main festival day, the 10th day of the first lunar month, a ceremony is held to receive the certificate recognizing the worship of Tan Vien Son Saint as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The event takes place at the Ha Temple Historical and Cultural Site in Minh Quang Commune (Ba Vi District, Hanoi), with incense-offering ceremonies at Thuong Temple, Trung Temple, and Ha Temple.
4. Doi Son “Tich Dien” Ploughing Festival (Lễ hội Tịch điền Đọi Sơn)
Every year, residents of Doi Son Commune, Duy Tien District, Ha Nam Province eagerly await the Tich Dien Festival. This traditional festival marks the ceremonial ploughing of the fields to pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests.
Held from the 5th to the 7th day of the first lunar month, the festival promotes agriculture and dates back to the 10th century in the homeland of King Le Dai Hanh. After many years of discontinuation, it was revived in 2009 on the 7th day of the first lunar month.
5. Giong Temple Festival (Lễ hội đền Gióng)
Held annually on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year in Phu Dong Commune, Gia Lam District, the Giong Temple Festival is a distinctive traditional celebration recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The three-day festival includes traditional rituals such as the purification ceremony, processions, incense offerings, and the offering of bamboo flowers at Thuong Temple, where Saint Giong is worshipped.
The main festival day is the 7th day of the first lunar month, believed to be the day of the saint’s ascension according to legend. Key rituals include offering bamboo flowers and reenacting the defeat of enemy generals.
6. Vieng Market Festival (Lễ hội chợ Viềng)
Attending Vieng Market, which convenes only once a year at midnight, has become a unique cultural feature of Northern spring festivals. From the afternoon of the 7th day of the first lunar month, visitors flock to Vieng Market in Kim Thai Commune, Vu Ban District (Nam Dinh Province).
This once-a-year market is known as a place to buy goods for good luck. Visitors can also attend the Phu Day Festival on the 8th day of the first lunar month. Phu Day is one of the main temples dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh, one of Vietnam’s “Four Immortals.”
7. Yen Tu Festival (Lễ hội Yên Tử)
Beginning on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasting until the end of the third lunar month, the Yen Tu Festival draws pilgrims and tourists to Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province, where they can visit the famous bronze pagoda perched atop the sacred peak.
This year marks the first time the opening ceremony has been held at the Truc Lam Cultural Center, part of the Yen Tu Festival Central Area project.
The festival also features related events such as the Yen Tu Cherry Blossom and Golden Apricot Festival, Hang Son Temple Festival, and the early spring festival at Ba Vang Pagoda.
8. Lim Festival (Lễ hội Lim)
Lim Festival is a major celebration in Bac Ninh Province, with its main event held annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month in Tien Du District.
Originating from traditional pagoda festivals and singing gatherings, it is associated with the folk legend of Truong Chi and My Nuong.
During the festival, various folk games and competitions take place, including martial arts, wrestling, human chess, swinging contests, weaving competitions, and rice-cooking contests. The highlight of the festival is the traditional Quan Ho folk singing performances.
9. Tran Temple Seal-Opening Ceremony (Khai ấn đền Trần)
Held at Tran Temple in Nam Dinh Province, this is one of the largest early-spring festivals, taking place from the 11th to the 16th day of the first lunar month.
In addition to the midnight seal-distribution ceremony between the 14th and early 15th day, the festival includes traditional activities such as lion and dragon dances, “cheo” folk opera, “chau van” singing, human chess competitions, and wrestling.
The seal-opening ritual is a humane cultural tradition in which the king would offer sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and ancestors to express gratitude. It also serves as a symbolic reminder that the Lunar New Year holiday has ended and it is time to return to work.
In recent years, more people have attended the ceremony, hoping for success and prosperity in the new year.
10. Ba Chua Kho Temple Festival (Lễ hội Bà Chúa Kho)
The Ba Chua Kho Festival is officially held on the 14th day of the first lunar month. However, from the beginning of the year, the Ba Chua Kho Temple (in Co Me Village, Vu Ninh Ward, Bac Ninh City) attracts large numbers of visitors seeking good fortune.
Many businesspeople visit the temple at the start of the year to pray for smooth operations and prosperity in their work.
These traditional early-year festivals in Northern Vietnam offer both locals and tourists the chance to explore unique cultural values, participate in vibrant activities, and deepen their appreciation and pride in Vietnam’s rich national heritage.