Festivals are a very important part of human life. The festivals in Vietnam are inspired by the lunar calendar. Most festivals are a way to express their customs, their gratitude to their ancestors, their wishes for a better life in the future or simply for a new harvest.
Participating or witnessing the festivals will give you the best way to get to know the myths and customs of where you visit more closely and personally. Vietnam has many national and regional festivals. Next, we explain all about the festivals in Vietnam.
Lunar new year
Lunar New Year or Tet in Vietnamese, is the most important and meaningful festival for all Vietnamese. You can say that wherever you are, you will never forget these days, it is an occasion to join with your families to celebrate, give each other best wishes.
Tet normally falls at the end of January or February of each year, they are not the same dates for each year. These days, the Vietnamese have about a week’s holiday to celebrate Tet.
Currently, Tet has become very popular with foreign tourists, many want to visit Vietnam at this time to feel the atmosphere.
However, it is advisable to have information on specific dates before traveling to this time to better prepare yourself because the services in the first days of the new lunar year are scarcer and more expensive compared to normal days.
For tourists, the best way to learn about the customs of celebrating Tet is to visit the local markets, peach flower markets, and mandarin tree markets, which are typical flowers and plants for this occasion.
Also visit temples, and pagodas to see people praying for a new year with Happiness, Luck, and Prosperity!
Hung Kings Festival
It is celebrated on March 10 according to the lunar calendar (more or less in the middle of April), in the temples of the Hung kings in the province of Phu Tho about 100 km from Ha Noi.
This is a traditional Kinh festival, remembering the Hung kings who had the merit of building the country of Vietnam.
As a major national holiday, everyone is on vacation. Therefore, the anniversary of King Hung’s death becomes a big holiday for the Vietnamese people.
It reminds us that we must always turn to our roots and work together to build our nation.
Perfume Pagoda Festival
It is a festival held at the Perfume pagoda in My Duc – Ha Noi district, about 100 km from the center of Ha Noi that attracts many Buddhist devotees.
Hue festival
Hue Festival is an international event that is held every 2 years in Hue, in even years in the Imperial city of Hue.
This is a huge gathering of participants, with dozens of countries around the world. Occasion for the international community to exchange, carry out cultural activities, arts and gastronomy.
It is the opportunity for the people of Hue to introduce the unique cultural features of the ancient Imperial capital Hue to their friends around the world.
Each Festival defines its main theme to concentrate its activities. In general, the Hue Festival is celebrated in the month of April and is one of the most important festivals in Vietnam.
Lantern Festival in Hoian
It is the occasion that lanterns are placed in the Thu Bon River in Hoian as an offering, and to worship their ancestors as well as the God of the land.
This tradition began centuries ago, usually on the 1st and 15th lunar calendar of the month.
According to the belief, each lantern that is released on the Hoai River in Hoian carries a meaning of its own.
The beautiful little lanterns float along the river carrying the prayers of good luck, health, fortune and peace to each person.
Some mean to remember and pray for the peace of the deceased. Also with the desire for a country of peace and prosperity life.
Currently with a large number of visitors in Hoian, this activity is done every day. You can rent a rowboat to take the lanterns to the middle of the river.
Vietnam Independence Day Festival
It is September 2, in 1945 Ho Chi Minh scheduled the Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam before the French, so September 2 became the national day of Vietnam.
For that occasion we have 1 day of vacation and a parade is held in Ba Dinh Square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. In rural areas, they consider Tet as an independence , and families make the parties very big. Normally, a pig is shared for 4 families and they celebrate in 1 or 2 days.
Vietnam Reunification Day Festival
It is April 30 in 1975, it is the day of the reunification of the two parts of Vietnam. That day the Vietnam War ended after 20 years of fighting. On that day, they parade in Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, where Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum is.
Mid autumn festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on August 15 (more or less in the middle of September) according to the Lunar Calendar, it is also known as the festival for children.
Children are eager for this party because they are often given toys, lanterns, masks, and military marksmen,… and on this occasion, they eat a type of typical sweet.
On the night of this day, fruits, cakes, and typical sweets are prepared and waited until the moon is full to eat, also in many places, people organize lion dances and dragon dances for children to have fun.
So if your trip coincides with this day, do not forget to visit Hang Ma street and some surroundings in the Old Town of Ha Noi, they are full of sales of toys, lanterns, masks, and military shooters, and the street looks very bustling and picturesque that day.
