5 famous festivals for a spring trip in Southern Vietnam

"January is the month for festivities" - this familiar folk saying perfectly captures the beautiful traditional culture of Vietnam during the Lunar New Year. Springtime excursions and festivals are not only a form of entertainment but also an opportunity to pray for good fortune, wealth, and peace in the new year. The South, with its warm climate year-round, is always an ideal destination for tourists during the early spring. Travellive suggests five famous spring festivals in the South that visitors shouldn't miss.

Ba Den Mountain Festival - Tay Ninh

Nestled peacefully in Tay Ninh province, Mount Ba Den holds a powerful allure for visitors from all over, thanks to its majestic natural beauty and profound spiritual significance. It is not only famous as "the highest mountain in Southern Vietnam," but also attracts tourists with the Mount Ba Den Festival – one of the largest festivals in the South.

Taking place from the 4th to the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Ba Den Mountain Festival is an occasion for people to express their reverence to Linh Son Thanh Mau, a deity revered by the people of Southern Vietnam. The festival is deeply rooted in national culture with many traditional rituals such as the procession of the deity, offerings, and prayers for peace, attracting millions of visitors from all over the country.

Besides its spiritual significance, this festival is also an ideal destination for tourists who love exploration and adventure. Visitors can conquer the summit of Ba Den Mountain by cable car or by mountain climbing, admire the majestic scenery from above, and visit historical and cultural sites such as Linh Son Ancient Temple, Ong Ho Cave, etc.

Furthermore, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere with unique cultural activities such as lion dance, dragon dance, and art performances. Enjoying the rich and diverse local cuisine is also an experience not to be missed when visiting the Ba Den Mountain Festival.

Dinh Co Festival - Ba Ria Vung Tau

When mentioning Vung Tau, it's impossible not to mention the Dinh Co Festival - one of the biggest festivals of the local people. The festival takes place from the 10th to the 12th of February in the lunar calendar every year at Dinh Co, Long Hai town, attracting a large number of visitors from all over.

Dinh Cô is a place of worship dedicated to Mẫu Liễu Hạnh, a goddess revered and trusted by the people of the coastal region. The Dinh Cô Festival is an occasion for people to express their reverence for Mẫu Liễu Hạnh, praying for a new year of favorable weather, peace and prosperity for the nation, and also an opportunity for local people to show gratitude to the sea, praying for safe and bountiful fishing trips.

The festival features many traditional rituals such as offerings, processions carrying the Goddess's palanquin, lion dances, dragon dances, etc. In particular, the celebratory part includes many unique cultural activities such as traditional folk singing and music performances, creating a lively atmosphere and attracting tourists.

Ba Chua Xu Festival - An Giang

The Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival is one of the largest festivals in the Mekong Delta region, attracting millions of visitors from all over the country every year. The festival takes place from the 23rd to the 27th of April in the lunar calendar at the Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Temple, Chau Doc city, An Giang province.

This is an occasion for people to commemorate the merits of Lady Chua Xu - a deity revered by the people of Southern Vietnam. The festival takes place with many solemn rituals such as the procession of the Lady's statue, the Tuc Yet ceremony, the Chanh Te ceremony, the Xay Chau ceremony, the Thanksgiving ceremony... Especially, the festival part features many unique cultural activities such as traditional opera, folk music, lion dance, dragon dance...

During their spring excursions at the beginning of the year, many tourists choose to visit the Lady of the Land Temple to pray for a year of good fortune and peace. The Lady of the Land Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2014.

Ba Thien Hau Temple Festival - Binh Duong

The Thien Hau Temple Festival takes place annually from the 13th to the 15th of the first lunar month in Binh Duong province. On the night of the 13th of the first lunar month, residents of Thu Dau Mot town usually set up altars in front of their houses to prepare for the procession of the Goddess the following day. People from neighboring areas also flock here in large numbers.

On the morning of the 14th day of the first lunar month, the procession of the Goddess takes place according to traditional rituals: the statue of the Goddess is carried through the streets accompanied by lion, dragon, and unicorn dance troupes, and a sea of ​​flags. On the 15th day of the first lunar month, people gather at the temple to offer incense, make offerings, pray for blessings, and hope for a peaceful and prosperous new year. The Thien Hau Temple Festival in Binh Duong is one of the unique folk festivals, reflecting the distinct culture of the Southeast region of Vietnam.

Via Ba Festival - Binh Dinh

The Via Ba Festival, also known as the Ba Do Thi Tan Festival, is one of the most unique and attractive traditional festivals in Binh Dinh, taking place from the 14th to the 16th of the first lunar month every year at the Ba temple in Liem Dinh village, Nhon Phong commune, An Nhon town.

According to legends and stories told by local elders, three centuries ago, Mrs. Tan was known as a midwife for women in the village. Her hands helped and blessed many, but she refused any attempt at repayment.

Out of respect for her talent and compassion, Emperor Tự Đức bestowed upon her the title "Benevolent and Virtuous." To commemorate her merits, the villagers built a shrine at her former residence, known as the Lady's Shrine or Hội Sản Nương Divine Shrine.

Ha Mai Trinh - Compiled