Photo: ĐCSVN

1. Ba Chua Kho Festival

This is considered one of the largest Vietnamese festivals in the North, because this is not only related to ancient legends, but also associated with the beliefs of Bac Ninh people. The most special feature of the festival is the loan ceremony of Ba Chua Kho.

Every citizen who comes to offer incense and writes for loans are requests, aspirations, goals for the upcoming year and promises of repayment days. Those who have borrowed must keep their promises and come to Thanksgiving at the end of the year, or the promised day in the future, so that the following year can still be fully blessed by the Grandmother for business.

Photo: aFamily

2. Hung Temple Festival

A more common name is "Hung Kings Commemoration", associated with the song "No matter who goes backwards, remember the tenth anniversary of March. This is a Vietnamese festival recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. History was started from the Hung kings, starting with the Van Lang state – the cultural cradle of Vietnam today.

Hung King Anniversary holiday (Photo: Bao dien tu Chinh Phu)

The main entertainment activities of the Hung Temple festival include the banh hung – thick cake wrapping contest, banh hung – thick cake procession, folk art performances such as xoan singing, pilgrimage to commemorate King Hung, procession and offering of King Hung incense. These are all entertainment activities that commemorate the story of King Lang Lieu and the intangible traditional cultural values of our country.

3. Vieng Market Festival

In the list of festivals in Vietnam, this is not a festival related to spiritual beliefs, but a place of exchange, trade of items and community cultural exchange. Trading products can be ornamental plants, farm service items or foods such as veal, beef ,... Every year, the market atmosphere is extremely bustling when there is a large participation of people from all over the world to participate.

Photo: Collected

4. Perfume Pagoda Festival

Every January 6th to the end of the 3rd lunar month, the Perfume Pagoda scenic area attracts a large number of Buddhists across the country. Huong Pagoda Festival converges typical traditional forms of cultural activities and activities of our country such as boating, climbing and paddle singing, singing literature on Yen stream...

(Photo: Bao Quang Ninh)

Besides, participating in the festival, visitors not only aim for beliefs and pray for peace but also enjoy the fresh air and harmony between people and nature. 

5. Giong Temple Festival

In 2010, UNESCO recognized the festival commemorating the hero who fought An as a representative intangible traditional cultural heritage on behalf of the earth. The opening venue is where Saint Giong stopped his horse before flying to the sky, which is the foot of Soc Son mountain today.

Photo: Collected

The most fun is the deadline for the readiness of the festival, which is lively and speckled 2-3 weeks before the 6th day of the 6th month of the lunar calendar in each village. Each participating village will be assigned according to each procession order of the 3 days of the festival, clearly printed in the 6th stele at Soc Son temple, Ho Chi Minh City. HN. Giong expresses great patriotic faith and conveys the resilient will, aspiration for independence and freedom of the indigenous people.

Festival to worship one of the "Four Immortals" in Vietnam

6. Co Loa Festival

In early spring, people from Dong Anh, Hanoi and tourists from all over flock to celebrate at An Duong Vuong temple. This is one of the unique festivals of Vietnam to commemorate the founder of the Au Lac state of our nation.

Participants will be able to participate in many traditional rituals such as: Opening ceremony, incense offering procession, street examination procession, procession of five Master burn molds, procession of Bat Xia, ... 

Photo: thanhcoloa.vn

7. Hoi Lim

Belonging to the unique festivals of Vietnam, expressing the cultural activities of the community and traditional arts of the North, this is actually the Lim Pagoda Festival and the banks of the Tieu Tuong River. Every year on January 12-14, in Bac Ninh, we will hear dao songs, Quan ho singing was like pouring bile into their ears. It opens with a grand procession.

In addition, Lim Association also organizes the deployment of many brilliant folk game shows such as martial arts fighting, chess fighting, weaving competition, fairy swinging, cooking rice, ... and many ceremonies so that passengers from far away and their villages can fully participate and compete with each other. The exquisite gestures of the people of Beijing and the shirts, scarves, and shirts of the third and seventh make passengers remember inconsolably, even when leaving.

Singing Quan Ho songs on the boat (Photo: bvhttdl.gov.vn)

Source: evbn.org

Photo: Collected

The cuisine in the north is different to that of the south. Southerners would claim that northern food is bland whereas the citizens of the north would argue that it’s simpler and elegant thus requiring less use of spices and sweetness, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves. For a visitor on a flying visit, deciding on where to eat can be daunting at the best of times. Tripadvisor is usually the first port of call, but inconsistent reviews can cast a cloud of doubt over the legitimacy of the medium. Here is a list of my favorite dishes and venues for eating and drinking in Hanoi if you were here for a short weekend of culinary indulgence.

What to try in Hanoi

Barbecue chicken

Does this picture of golden brown chicken feet make you drool? (Source: Foody)

Ly Van Phuc is its official name, but the place is colloquially known as "Chicken Street" in honor of the tasty poultry being barbecued up and down this crowded alley. Grilled chicken wings and feet, sweet potatoes and bread that's been brushed with honey before being grilled are served with chili sauce and pickled cucumbers in sweet vinegar. The simple, enticing menu is nearly identical for all the vendors on the street.

Try it at: Pho Ly Van Phuc, Hanoi

Pho 

A bowl of Pho is a comfort food of many Vietnamese people (Source: Collected)

As the birthplace of pho, Hanoi is ground zero for the fragrant rice noodle soup served with fresh herbs that has become popular all over the world. It's no surprise, then, that Hanoi's pho is outstanding. Two variations are most popular: pho ga (with chicken) and pho bo (with beef). Pho is traditionally served as a breakfast food, so you'll find pho sellers all over town from before dawn to mid-morning.

Try it at: Pho 112, 112 Van Phuc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Xoi - Sticky rice

In the morning you'll find the sticky rice vendors out hawking their wares. Sticky rice is a hugely popular carb-rich breakfast food that comes wrapped in a banana leaf. There are dozens of variations on the dish. One is served with crushed peanuts and sesame salt, another involves white corn and deep-fried shallots.

Xôi xéo - one of the most quintessential food of Hanoi (Source: Collected)

Try it at: Street Xoi, 35 Nguyen Huu Huan St, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Iced coffee

Iced coffee with condensed milk is one of Hanoi's great pleasures (Source: Collected)

Coffee was brought to Vietnam by the French and is, along with baguettes, one of their lasting culinary legacies. Beans are grown in Vietnam and roasted, often with lard, before being ground and served in single-serving metal filters. Drinking a cup of cafe nau da, iced coffee with condensed milk, on a busy side street is one of Hanoi's great pleasures.

Try it at: Cafe Nang, So 6 Hang Bac, Hanoi

Nem cua be

You can find many types of excellent spring rolls all over Vietnam, but nem cua be, made with fresh crab meat, are particularly good. Unlike regular spring rolls, they are wrapped into a square shape before being fried. Nem cua be are a specialty of Hai Phong, a seaside town not far away, but are fantastic in Hanoi as well.

Nem cua be is often served with rice noodles and dipping sauce (Source: VnExpress)

Try it at: Nem Vuong Pho Co, 58 Dao Duy Tu, Old Quarter, Hanoi

Chao Ca

What is better than a steaming bowl of fish porridge? (Source: Collected)

If you're looking for a satisfying breakfast in Hanoi, why not try a steaming bowl of fish porridge? Like Chinese congee, it's a rice gruel made by cooking down the grains until they are nearly liquid. In Hanoi, it's most often served with green onion, sprigs of dill and slivers of ginger.

Try it at: Doan Xom Chao Ca, 213 Hang Bong, Hanoi

Muc Nuong

There's no greater pleasure than drinking on a busy Hanoi sidewalk, and what better to nosh on while you do than muc nuong? Dried squid is grilled over hot coals before being shredded and served with a spicy sauce. It's a chewy treat that is best washed down with shots of rice wine.

Muc nuong and beer is a must-try combination in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

Try it at: Muc Nuong, 36 Hang Bo, Old Quarter, Hanoi

How to get to Hanoi

As the capital city of Vietnam, transportation to Hanoi is easy with a variety of choices. From southern and central Vietnam, you may fly to Hanoi - there are flights every hour so you can reach Hanoi within a few hours. Check it out!

References: Www.hanoistreetfoodtour.com

Photo: Bui Toan

Khanh Hoa province has agreed to organize the International Art Light Festival - Ever Glamor Nha Trang in June 2024 according to the proposal of a consulting unit. Funding for the event is from Social Capital.

On June 28, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Thieu met with relevant departments, divisions, and units on the idea of ​​​​organizing a light show competition called the International Art Light Festival - Ever Glamor Nha Trang 2024.

According to the proposal of the consulting unit (Corex Business Solutions Joint Stock Company), the International Art Light Festival - Ever Glamor Nha Trang 2024 is expected to be held in June 2024 in combination with the beach tourism festival and food festival.

Art Light show by drone at Nha Trang Sea Festival - Khanh Hoa in 2023

The highlight of the Festival is the drone light show competition combined with music performances on stage. The event is 100% funded by Social Capital.

According to Khanh Hoa province's e-information portal, at the meeting, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Thieu agreed with the consulting unit's proposed idea and hoped this would be a unique highlight of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa in the field of marine tourism.

Mr. Dinh Van Thieu requested the consulting unit to complete the detailed scenario to submit to the Provincial People's Committee, and at the same time develop a long-term plan for the 2025 Sea Festival. Along with that, relevant departments and divisions need to plan on how to call for social capital effectively. 

It is expected that the International Art Light Festival - Ever Glamor 2024 will attract 800,000 domestic and international tourists to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa.

*Previously in early June, at the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2023, the light show by drones with 1,653 drones with music playing in the background attracted the attention of many tourists.

Source: baochinhphu.vn

(Photo: Backyard Travel)

As a multi-ethnic and multicultural country, Tet festivals in Vietnam are very diverse and colorful. It is cultural differences that motivate people to learn about these interesting holidays. In the early spring days, our country is bustling with traditional festivals. Let's explore with Vntrip now!

1. Tet Day Festivals in Northern Vietnam

On New Year's Day, the North will welcome the following festivals:

Perfume Pagoda Festival

The Huong Pagoda Festival takes place in My Duc, Hanoi from January 6th to the end of the 3rd lunar month. The venue is Huong Son scenic area. This festival is considered a journey to a Buddhist land – where the Bodhisattva Guanyin practiced. Every year, thousands of people from all over the country gather here to participate in this meaningful festival.

The opening ceremony on the morning of January 27 (Photo: Vietnamnet Global)

Perfume Pagoda is a collection of many cave temples associated with mountains. There is harmony between majestic nature and gentle people. Not only can visitors worship the Buddha, but visitors here can also participate in activities such as boating, climbing, cave play, and cave games.

Go Dong Da Festival

The festival takes place on the 5th of Tet. Since the liberation of the Capital (10/10/1954), Go Dong Da festival has become a national holiday. This day is celebrated to commemorate the illustrious feat of King Quang Trung. Therefore, visitors will have the opportunity to play fun games, clearly showing the spirit of martial arts. The most prominent is the Thang Long Fire Dragon procession which is the most unique. 

Photo: printerset.com

In addition, Go Dong Da festival also has very meaningful activities such as the prayer ceremony, offering incense to commemorate the merits of heroes and cemeteries who have served for the people and for water.

Tran Temple Sealing Festival

The opening ceremony of Tran temple took place in the middle of the night of January 14 and the beginning of January 15, at the Tran temple ruins of Loc Vuong ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Nam Dinh, Nam Dinh province. The festival takes place over three days, usually from January 13 to 15 every year. This festival expresses gratitude to the merits of the Chen kings.

Photo: Collected

Yen Tu Festival

The Yen Tu Festival is celebrated from the 10th day of the 10th month of the first lunar month and lasts for 3 months of spring. Yen Tu is not only famous for its beautiful scenery, ancient towers, pagodas but also the place where the Truc Lam Yen Tu meditation sect was formed. The road to the top of Yen Tzu winds, sheltered under the shadow of great trees. The difficult path is a test of faith, a test of loyalty to the Buddha.

Photo: luhanhvietnam

Hung Kings Commemoration

Hung Kings Commemoration Day is held on the 10th day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar at Hung Temple, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province. This is how Vietnamese people commemorate Hung King's water building merits. The ritual consists of two main parts: the king procession and the incense offering.

Photo: Zing News

2. Tet Day Festivals in Central Vietnam

Central Vietnam is also famous for its variety of spiritual festivals in the early spring days. The beginning of a year, so people often come to pay tribute to the ancestral gods as well as wish for a peaceful year.

King Mai Temple Festival

The festival takes place from the 3rd to the 5th of Tet in Van Dien commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An. On this day, people organize activities to commemorate King Mai Hac Emperor.

Photo: visitnghean.com

Sình Village Wrestling Association

This is a traditional festival of Hue that takes place on January 9 to 10. The festival is both spiritual and encourages the spirit of movement of the people.

Photo: thuathienhue.gov.vn

Fisher Bridge Festival

The Fishing Bridge Festival (also known as the Ong Fish Festival) held in January is a cultural beauty of fishermen in South Central coastal fishing villages. The festival vividly recreates the traditional custom of worshiping Fish Ong according to legends imbued with folklore. People often pray for a good fishing season, shrimp fish full of boats.

Fishing Festival in Van Thuy Tu (Photo: Binh Thuan Museum)

3. Tet Day Festivals in South Vietnam

People in the southern provinces usually celebrate the following holidays around Tet and early spring:

Ba Den Mountain Festival

This is a festival of Tay Ninh people, which takes place from the 4th of Tet. Tourists flock to pilgrimage, worship and visit a lot here. On the way to climb, visitors can stop at Linh Son Holy Mother Temple or Son Than Temple.

A Khmer dance performance on the top of Ba Den Mountain with the Bodhisattva statue - the tallest bronze Bodhisattva statue on a mountain in Asia (Photo: VNA)

Thien Hau Pagoda Festival

Ba Thien Hau Pagoda Festival (Ba Pagoda Festival) takes place over 3 days from 13 to the full moon of January in Binh Duong. The festival is imbued with typical culture of the Southeast region. People often set up tables in front of their homes for sacrifices on the night of January 13 in preparation for her procession the next day. The procession of Mrs. Thien Hau is held according to traditional rites, the procession is carried throughout the streets with the lion dance, lion dance, dragon, flag ...

Photo: VnExpress

Holy Tran Temple Festival

Taking place from January 8 to 10 every year, the Holy Tran Temple Festival in Ho Chi Minh City. The festival days are a tribute to the merits of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, and at the same time educate traditions and calendars for the young generation.

Photo: Bao Ha Nam Online

Tet to spring is the time to enter the new year for Vietnamese people. Therefore, this time often has spiritual festivals for people to wish good things for the New Year. Besides, these festivals are also an opportunity for people to thank and remember the merits of ancestors and heroes in history.