1. The Lady of Mount Sam Festival – Festivals in the South

Festivals in the South cannot fail to mention the Festival of the Lady of the Land. The Ba Chua Land Festival (Vía Ba) takes place at Ba Chua Land Temple located at the foot of Nui Sam, Chau Doc city, An Giang. Every year the holiday is held on 23/4 – 27/4 lunar calendar. But Astral Day is April 25 because this is the day her statue was discovered.

Visitors will be able to watch the ritual of bathing her with rainwater mixed with perfume. And changed into new clothes for her. The next day visitors will be able to watch her procession from the top of the mountain down by nine virgin girls. It was just a repeat of the old scene of her procession. In addition to those unique festivals, there is also Folk Art Culture performed such as lion dance, tray dance, dish dance,...

Photo: nucuoimekong.com

2. Don Ta – Dolta Festival – Festivals in the South

The Feast of Don Ta, also known as the "Indulgence of Sinners", is a Khmer holiday celebrated. If the Kinh people have the Vu Lan ceremony, the Khmer people also have the Don Ta ceremony. They hold a ceremony to remember their deceased grandparents and bless the living.

Khmer ethnic people come to the pagoda to practice rituals during the annual Sene Dolta festival. (Photo: vov.vn)

3. Khmer New Year Chol Chnam Thmay

The special festival in the Southwest to mention is Chol Chnam Thmay.When tourists go to areas with a large number of Khmer people living such as Soc Trang, An Giang, Tra Vinh,... Visitors will encounter the bustling atmosphere of people here preparing their traditional New Year. It is quite similar to the custom of Lunar New Year of the Kinh people in the Southwest region. Every time it comes to the ceremony, people clean their houses. Everyone sewed themselves new clothes and wrapped tacos, prepared fruits and incense lamps for Buddha worship.

Photo: thanhpho.tayninh.gov.vn

4. Kathina Festival – Festival in the South

Kathina festival is also known as the ceremony of offering cotton, offering coffee medicine to Khmer people in Soc Trang province. The ceremony is held after 3 months of dysentery. According to the regulations of Khmer Theravada Buddhism, temples will choose 1 specific date. And inform the Buddhists in the room to prepare for the Kathina ceremony. Therefore, each squirrel in each province will differ in terms of the date of organization but traditionally it usually takes place in 2 days.

Photo: Bao Tin Tuc

5. Tong Wen Festival

The Song Wen Festival is a festival in the West that dates back to the founding of the land. Because there are many epidemics that harm humans. So the people of the south at that time thought it was caused by the devil, the people out of sight. Therefore, they perform the Song Wen ceremony, which means extorting and driving away evil spirits and diseases that harm people.

Photo: Bao Phap Luat

6. Seven Mountains Bull Racing Festival

The Seven Mountains Bull Racing Festival is a festival of ethnic Khmer people. Bold with folklore and a unique sport in the Seven Mountains region. Celebrated on the Khmer holiday of Dolta, on the 30th day of the 8th lunar calendar every year in Tri Ton district, An Giang province. One will choose a pair of the most agile, healthiest cows. And take care of them to rest, exercise, and eat according to the regime. After 2 months, this pair of cows can go to the race and have a driver. Every year, on the occasion of the bull racing festival, the atmosphere is extremely bustling and attractive. The festival attracts thousands of visitors and the surrounding provinces have been present very early.

Photo: Bao An Giang

7. Southern Folk Cake Festival – Western Cake Festival

The Southern Folk Cake Festival is an attractive Western cake festival. Held annually at the national level in Can Tho City. The festival has the participation of more than 100 booths, and is one of the important cultural and tourist events. For the purpose of introducing and promoting folk cakes and Southern cuisine. At the same time, contributing to the preservation and promotion of warm cultural values.

Photo: Bao Can Tho

8. Tan Loc Fruit Garden Festival – Western Fruit Festival

The unique Western Fruit Festival can be mentioned as Tan Loc Fruit Garden Festival. Held annually on Doan Ngo New Year. It is an opportunity to honor the cultural life and labor fruits of the people. At the same time, promote and introduce the potential of ecotourism in the garden of Tan Loc island. Contribute to the diversity in festival culture in the South.

Photo: Collected

9. Nghinh Ong Festival

Nghinh Ong Festival (Nghinh Ong Thuy General Festival) is a traditional festival of coastal fishermen, and seafarers. This is a festival commemorating the merits of the whale – the god of the South Sea General. Because many times helping people overcome big waves and winds in the open sea. 

Boats at the festival (Photo: VNA)

10. Ky Yen Festival

Another Western festival is the Ky Yen festival, which means prayer ceremony. It is the largest sacrifice of the emperor of the year of a divine court in Southern Vietnam. The village communal house in Southern Vietnam has 2 rituals each year: Thuong Dien (when the harvest is finished) and Ha Dien (when starting to go to the field).

Photo: Collected

11. Ok Om Bok Moon Worship Festival

Another Southern festival is the Ok Om Bok Moon Worship Festival of the Southern Khmers. Also known as the Moon Offering or "Putting on Beautiful Nuggets". The ceremony takes place on the 14th and 15th days of the 10th lunar month every year. To Khmers, the Moon is seen as a god. This god helped them in regulating the weather, protecting the fields. And bring a good harvest, bring warmth and prosperity to the people living here. Therefore, after a harvest, Khmer people will conduct a Moon Offering. To show their sincere thanks to the Moon god. For blessing them as well as wishing for the crop after favorable rains and wind.

Photo: Collected