(Photo: TTXVN)

The festival has become an indispensable need in life to satisfy the people's desire to return to their roots, conduct religious activities, balance spiritual life and enjoy and create culture.

Currently, in some localities, precious traditional cultural festivals of ethnic minorities are still preserved.

Khmer people's 'nuggets' festival

Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as the moon worship ceremony or the "nuggets ceremony". Ok Om Bok is the big festival of the year along with the traditional New Year Chol Chnam Thmay, the worship ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Sene Dolta of Khmer compatriots.

The festival is held at the end of the harvest to show gratitude to the Moon, the god of nature who helps them in protecting crops, regulating the weather, bringing good fruits and fullness.

The Moon God is a god who regulates crops during the year. Therefore, they took glutinous rice into nuggets and other crops to make offerings to the Moon.

Photo: Suc khoe doi song

Featured New Year prayer ceremony of the Dao Tien people

The seasonal prayer ceremony takes place on the first days of the new year, this is one of the social practices associated with the beliefs of the Dao people of Don Phong commune, Bach Thong district, Bac Kan province. Through the festival, the Dao Tien people want to send their thoughts and wishes for good harvests, fruit trees are full of fruit, livestock development ...

Photo: backan.gov.vn

Harrowing bull racing festival in An Giang

This is a traditional festival of Southern Khmer compatriots; is a unique cultural activity in the Seven Nui region, An Giang.

The festival is held annually on the occasion of the Donta holiday of the Khmer ethnic people, which takes place around the end of the 8th and early 9th month of the lunar calendar every year.

Photo: VnExpress

Source: chinhphu.vn

Photo: Collected

Hue royal court music is an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO and a proud cultural and artistic beauty of Vietnam. This is also one of the attractive factors that attract tourists from all over the world to the dreamy city of Hue.

The elegant sound and noble rhythm of Hue royal court music is something that visitors from all over the world will always remember once they have enjoyed it. This is also a proud intangible cultural heritage and a unique form of music and art of Vietnam.

Therefore, traveling to Hue is not only a journey to discover the relics of the Nguyen Dynasty, a dreamy city nestled on the famous Perfume River but enjoying royal court music is also an experience that you should not miss.

1. Introduction to Hue royal court music

Royal court music is a genre of music that dates back to feudal times and is performed for the royal court on occasions such as: Great Court, Regular Court, Te Giao, Te Mieu... The music has elegant lyrics and noble tunes. , nobility contributes to the solemnity of ceremonies. This is also a symbol of kingship and the longevity and prosperity of the dynasty. That's why Hue royal court music was highly respected by Vietnamese feudal dynasties.

Source: Collected

2. When was Hue royal court music recognized by UNESCO?

Hue royal court music was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage and oral literature of humanity on November 7, 2003, and the recognition ceremony was held in Paris, France on January 31, 2004.

This is a great honor and pride for Hue as well as the Vietnamese people. At the same time, this honor also contributes to creating a very unique attraction for the tourism industry of the ancient and poetic city of Hue.

Royal court music was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage on November 7, 2003 (Source: Collected)

3. History of the formation of Hue royal court music

According to historical records, Hue royal court music had a process of formation and development in stages through the Ly-Tran dynasties. Successive generations continue to preserve, add creativity, and develop this art form increasingly rich and sophisticated, reaching its peak during the Nguyen Dynasty.

3.1. History of the formation of Nha Nhac (Court Music) through feudal eras

Under Ly Dynasty: Royal court music dates back to the Ly Dynasty (period 1010 - 1225) and began to operate systematically later. At this time, Nha Nhac had elegant lyrics and noble melodies, symbolizing the longevity, prosperity and power of the feudal monarchy.

Royal court music dates back to the Ly Dynasty, the period 1010 - 1225 (Source: Collected)

Under Le Dynasty: Royal court music during the Le Dynasty (period 1427 - 1788) was reserved for the nobility and scholars. The music genre has a complex and tight structure with a clear and detailed organizational scale.

From the Le Dynasty, Nha Nhac was divided into many separate genres such as Giao nhạc, Đại triều nhạc, Miếu nhạc, Đại yến nhạc, Thường triều nhạc, and Cửu nhật nguyệt lai trùng nhạc.

However, at the end of the Le Dynasty, Nha Nhac could no longer maintain its development and began to enter a period of decline and fading due to many different reasons.

Under Nguyen Dynasty: Hue royal court music developed strongly again and was organized systematically during the Nguyen Dynasty (period 1802 - 1945). Especially in the first half of the 19th century, King Gia Long's court knew how to use this scholarly music genre for "spiritual nourishment" when he first established his career in the South.

From here, Nha Nhac was closely associated with the Hue royal court and developed according to a standard, systematic, and methodical model with hundreds of musical pieces. This period was also an important preparation step, creating a premise for the development of Royal Music through the following kings.

Images of Hue royal court music during the Nguyen Dynasty (Source: Collected)

3.2. Hue royal court music today

Today, Hue royal court music with forms such as orchestra, songs, songs, and dances is performed on many occasions such as Hue Festival, Buddhist festivals, folk festivals, and chamber music.

Court music is also performed in diplomatic ceremonies, performed for tourists and local people during holidays and traditional Tet holidays. Therefore, today's court music still has the occasion and space to perform. Artistic value is still preserved, lasting, and continues to be promoted.

If you have the opportunity to come to Hue, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy and feel royal court music through unique performances in addition to discovering the beauty of the ancient capital and specialties.

Today's court music still has rich performance conditions and space (Source: Collected)

4. Some information about Hue royal court music

4.1. Where to watch Hue royal court music?

• Hue royal court music on the Perfume River

This is a familiar address chosen by many tourists to enjoy Hue royal court music. Tourists will buy tickets to board the dragon boat, walk around the romantic Perfume River, and enjoy Nha Nhac and other music genres performed by singers.

Hue royal court music on the Perfume River (Source: Collected)

• Duyet Thi Duong

Duyet Thi Duong is the first theater to open for performing court music, built during the Nguyen Dynasty, nearly 200 years ago. This is also one of the oldest performance spaces in Vietnam and a place to perform many art genres such as opera, dance, and court music for the king's inner palace. Coming to Duyet Thi Duong, visitors will be truly impressed with the majestic, solemn space and sacred atmosphere.

4.2. How much is a ticket to see Nha Nhac? When is the performance?

Estimated ticket price: 100,000 VND

Scheduled time:

• At Huong River: 18:00, 19:00 or 20:00
• At Duyet Thi Duong: 10:00 – 10:40 and 15:00 – 15:40

Hue royal court music is a priceless intangible asset and the pride of the Vietnamese people and the people of the ancient capital. Tourists should at least once come to the dreamy land of Hue and enjoy the Royal Music program to feel and absorb the essence of the music genre imbued with national identity.

5. How to get to Hue?

As a tourist city, the choice of transportation to Hue is also extremely diverse. From big cities like Hanoi and Saigon, you can take a plane to Hue in only 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also bus routes from all provinces to Hue, however, the travel time will be much longer. We recommend traveling by plane to save time for fun activities in Hue, as well as get the best experience.

Source: Vinpearl.com

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

A place so amazing that the French deemed it “Grotte des Surprises” or (Surprise Grotto), Sung Sot Cave is one of the biggest, most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and a highlight on most Halong Bay itineraries.

About Sung Sot Cave

• Sung Sot Cave was discovered by the French in 1901.

• Elevation: 25 meters above sea level.

• This is the largest and perhaps the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay with an area covering up to 10,000 sqm.

• “Surprise” is the immediate feeling you may have when visiting this incredible natural artwork.

• Sung Sot Cave is among the most prevalent tourist attractions for travelers and it is included in almost all itineraries of cruises exploring Halong Bay.

• The cave is accessible by a rented canoe, a day cruise, or an overnight cruise.

• Best time to visit: Year-round; however, the best months to visit are from October to December when the humidity level is low (60-70%).

Location

The cave can be found on the island of Bo Hon, along with another popular Halong cave, Trinh Nu. From the dock below, visitors must climb 50 stairs to the grotto’s mouth, which is just 25 meters above the sea. Sung Sot Cave is divided into two chambers; the first chamber, known as the “Waiting Room” is vast, adorned by stalagmites and stalactites and lit by multicolored lights positioned to complement the chamber’s structural beauty.

To reach the second chamber, visitors must walk down a narrow passageway. The second chamber is known as the “Serene Castle”. This chamber is large and grand with an extremely high ceiling and has many interesting rock formations which locals identify by likening them to animals due to their shapes.

Legend of Sung Sot cave

One eye-catching rock formation is shaped like a horse with a long-sword and is linked to the legend of Thanh Giong (God Gióng). It is said that Thanh Giong protected locals by defeating aggressors, demons and evil spirits, and once his work was done he ascended to the heavens, leaving behind a stone horse and sword to continue to drive away any future aggressors.

At the exit of the grotto, there is an open area called the “Royal Garden” where there is a peaceful pond and beautiful banyan trees. Some lucky visitors get to see monkeys in search of fruit which makes for some great photo opportunities!

How to visit Sung Sot Cave

There are two popular ways to visit Sung Sot Cave:

Option 1:

For tourists who are in shortage of traveling time and want to include Sung Sot Cave only in their itinerary, the best way is to rent a canoe. Most high-speed canoes are docked in Tuan Chau and Hon Gai Pier. It often costs from US$50/hour for a 4-to-8-seat canoe.

Option 2:

Alternatively, a more convenient and budget-saving option to visit Sung Sot Cave is to take a 6-hour day boat.

Sung Sot Cave belongs to route 2 that the day boat departs from Tuan Chau International Port - Soi Sim Island - Titop Island - Sung Sot Cave - Bo Nau Cave - Luon Cave - Fairy Lake Cave - Trinh Nu Cave - Me Cung Cave. Visitors have opportunities to enjoy activities such as exploring caves, swimming, boat sailing, and kayaking.

Ticket price: the ticket is sold at Tuan Chau International Port. It costs VND 290.000/pax. Additionally, tourists have to pay VND 200.000 boat rental fee and VND 150.000 to VND 250.000 for lunch (optional). The total price is VND 640.000 - VND 740.000/pax.

Note:

• Children under 1.2m or 7 years old are free.

• Children from 7 to 16 years old get a 20% ticket price reduction.

• People aged above 60 years old get a 50% ticket price reduction.

The best time to visit

While the best for locals to visit Halong Bay is from April to October, winter from October to December attracts the biggest number of foreigners to the wonder. During this season, the humidity level is low and the weather is dry.

What to pack

Tourists should prepare light clothes, some sweaters, sports shoes. Insect repellent and sunscreen are also necessary as you will spend a large amount of time outdoors and in the caves.

How to get to Ha Long Bay

From Northern provinces such as Ha Noi and Hai Phong, you may take the bus, train, taxi, or car to Ha Long Bay.

From Southern and Central provinces, we suggest taking the plane to Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh. You may also fly to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong which offers more choices of flights.

References: www.visithalongbay.com