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Vietnam


Events

topThroughout Vietnam

Têt (Lunar New Year)
January-February (exact date changes year to year)

This event is celebrated in grand style throughout Vietnam. The weeklong celebration leading up to the New Year involves preparation of special foods, lavish floral decorations, and locals in colorful costumes attending the various parades and fairs. Gongs and fireworks displays help ward off evil spirits. Cultural programs, including traditional music, dance and drama, are also held. For visitors, this event is very memorable but can be problematic as well – businesses often close for the week of Têt, flights and hotels book up early, and prices increase substantially. Be sure to plan well ahead if you hope to attend.

Mid-Autumn Festival
August

Held in gratitude to the moon, this fun, boisterous festival actually falls in late summer/early autumn. It’s also known as the “Children’s Festival,” as the main participants are children, who parade through the streets wearing festive masks and holding lanterns shaped like moons and animals. Traditional dances and martial arts, and moon cakes are also part of the celebration. Hoi An's version of this event is particularly exuberant.

Vu Lan Day
15th Day of 7th Lunar Month (Early August)

The Buddhist version of All Souls Day, this occasion marks the annual wandering of the souls of the deceased, and is commemorated at pagodas and shrines throughout the country. Food is set out at night to appease their hunger, paper money is burned in offering, and lights are set afloat on rivers to guide them to nirvana. This is also a time to express gratitude to ancestors, especially mothers. The holiday's Taoist equivalent, Trung Nguyen, takes place during the same time.

topHanoi

Lim Festival
Mid-Feb, Lim Village, Bac Ninh Province

Celebrating Quan Ho folk culture, this festival is known for its singing competitions. The singers, dressed in ethnic clothing, must improvise witty lyrics according to the traditional style. Other events include weaving and wrestling competitions and traditional temple games.

Chu Dong Tu Festival
April

This three-day festival honoring one of Vietnam’s immortal heroes takes place in the Da Hoa and Da Trach villages just outside Hanoi. Grand and vivid, the celebrations include a dragon procession, martial arts competitions, and a lion dance.

Hung Temple Festival
April

Honoring the Hung Kings, renowned for their contributions to the founding of Vietnam, this three-day festival includes colorful processions, classical songs, and a flower ceremony.

National Day
September 2

Marking the declaration of Vietnam’s independence, this day is celebrated with lively parades in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square.

Kep Bac Festival
September, Hung Dao Commune

This festival commemorates the valiant actions of national leader Tran Hung Dao against the Chinese. It features elaborate palanquin processions, dragon and lion dances, and boat races on the Luc Dau River.

topHoi An

Legendary Night Festival
Monthly

This enchanting custom, recently revived, takes place each month on the night of the full moon. Beginning in early evening, Hoi An reverts briefly to the way it looked in the early 19th century. No motor traffic is permitted, and artificial lighting is turned off, replaced by silk and paper lanterns hung from buildings. Events are staged on street corners in the Old Quarter by Hoianese in traditional dress; residents of all ages recite poetry or perform Vietnamese opera and music.

Long Chu Festival
15th day of lunar July

Translated as the “Royal Barge” festival, this event features religious rituals intended to ward off epidemics and plagues. Parades and processions follow the rituals, most notably the Procession of Long Chu, where the “King Boat” (in the form of a dragon) is carried to the sea and set afloat. Games are also a major highlight of the festival.

Goddess of the Seas Festival
March 23

Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, is responsible for protecting the safety of sea-faring vessels and the prosperity of the fishing community. The first part of the festival is celebrated mostly by the Chinese community and involves worship rituals. The second part is celebrated by all the residents, and features music, fortune telling, parades, and dance – the “Lion Dance” is a particular specialty.

topHue

Sinh Village Festival
Late Jan-Feb

Taking place every year just after the Têt holiday, this wrestling festival attracts thousands of boys and girls from Hue and other surrounding villages. For 6 centuries, the competition has been a way of respecting and propagating the sprit of martial arts.

Festival Hue
Early April

Established in 2000, this weeklong biannual celebration offers a diverse program of arts and culture. International artists are showcased along with traditional Hue performances of dance, theater and music. The Hue Festival includes royal ceremonial festivals such as Truyen Lo (honoring the winners of court examinations), Vinh Quy Bai (celebrating ancient court traditions and culture) and Nam Giao (honoring the earth and sky). Most of the activities are held in and around the Imperial Citadel.

Row Skiff Racing Festival
Early spring

This popular festival dates back to the 15th century, and still incorporates ceremonial rituals praying for rain and abundant crops.

Hon Chen Temple Festival
Twice a year (early Apr and early Aug)

Featuring moonlit boat processions, flamboyant costumes and historic tableaus, this fascinating festival takes place at the 1000-year-old Hon Chen Temple, located on a remote part of the Perfume River, surrounded by hills and greenery.

Royal Palace Night
June

This three-day festival highlights the cultural traditions of the royal court and the beauty of the Royal Palace. Events include Vietnamese court music, Hue classical opera, poetry recitals and art performances accompanied by food and drink, mostly taking place within the lantern- and torch-lit palace.