Life in Vietnam

Spring festival all around

Huong Pagoda Festival. — File Photo

Giong Temple Festival

Soc Temple, Phu Linh Commune, Soc Son District, Ha Noi

Phu Dong Temple, Phu Dong Commune, Gia Lam District, Ha Noi

- Running from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the 12th of the fourth lunar month (February 10- May 16) this festival is dedicated Saint Giong, a legendary child hero, who fought against northern invaders to save the nation.

Huong Pagoda Festival

Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Ha Noi

- One of the most crowded pilgrimage events of the north, people flock to Huong Son Landscape Complex to see beautiful scenery and trek up mountains to visit ancient pagodas. Runs from the 6th day of the first lunar month (February 10) to the end of the third lunar month (March).

Yen Tu Spring Festival

Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi District, Quang Ninh Province

- Officially begins on the 10th day of the first lunar month (February 14) and lasts for three months. People flock to the mountains to visit 11 pagodas and hundreds of temples scattering on the mountains, the birthplace of Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Buddist school in 12th century. The highest bronze pagoda is located 1,068m above sea level.

Keo Pagoda Festival

Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province.

- On the 14th day of the first lunar month (February 18). The pagoda is among the most ancient pagodas in the country with its bell tower made of wood, which is considered a special art work. The pagoda worships Khong Lo (?-1119), who took care of the health of King Ly Thanh Tong(1054-1072).

Hoi den ba chua kho - Store Goddess Temple Festival

Co Me Village, Vu Ninh Ward, Bac Ninh City

- Business people flock to the temple at the beginning to get a “loan” and “pay back” at the end of the lunar year. The festival opens on the 14th day of the first lunar month (February 18), when people conduct a worship ceremony to the Goddess and ask for her blessing in business. The temple is dedicated to a wife of King Ly Nhan Tong (1072-1127), who was born into a poor family in nearby Qua Cam Village. After getting married to the king, she asked the king to return home to help locals farm. She also helped manage the State’s food storage of the royal troops by Nhu Nguyet River (today’s Cau River) during fighting against northern invaders. She died in a battle in 1077.

Lim Love Duet Singing Festival. — File Photo

Lim Love Duet Singing Festival

Bac Ninh Province

- Held on the 13th day of the first lunar month (February 17)

An Duong Vuong Temple Festival

Co Loa Village, Dong Anh District, Ha Noi

- Lasting from the 6th to the 16th day of the first lunar month (February 10-20) dedicated to Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong King (about 257BC-208BC) who established Au Lac Kingdom and built Co Loa Spiral Citadel.

Thay Pagoda Festival

Quoc Oai District, Ha Noi

- On the 5th-7th day of the third lunar month (April 9-11). The pagoda is dedicated to Tu Dao Hanh monk (1072-1116), a talented monk under Ly reign.

Hung Temple Festival

Hy Cuong Commune, Phong Chau District, Phu Tho Province

- From the 9th to the 13th day of the third lunar month (April 13-17) dedicated to the Hung kings, ancestors of Vietnamese people.

Truong Yen Festival

Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province

- From the 9th to the 11th of the third lunar month (April 13-15) dedicated to national hero Dinh Bo Linh (968-979), who united the country and established Dinh reign and the first independent country Dai Co Viet (now Viet Nam) from Chinese power.

Worshipping ceremony and lion dances to honour General Tran Hung Dao

36 Vo Thi Sau Street, Dictrict 1, HCM City

- At the Saint Tran Temple, February 12-14.