The festival lasts
for 3 days from the 9th to the 11th of the 3rd lunar month. The
worship service is held on the 10th day and commences with a flower
ceremony with the participation of state representatives. Held in Thuong Temple, where the Hung Kings used to worship deities with full
rituals, the ceremony consists of a lavish five-fruit feast. Cakes and
glutinous rice
dumpling are also served to remind people of the Lang Lieu Legend (the
18th Hung King who invented these cakes), and the merit of the Hung
Kings who taught people to grow rice.
Next to the stage procession for deities, there are several marches in
the procession, such as the elephant march followed by the procession
chair. These procession marches are conducted in Tien Cuong, Hy Cuong,
Phuong Giao, and Co Tich Villages. The procession marches are followed
by a Xoan song performance (a classical type of song) in the Thuong
Temple, "Ca Tru" (a kind of classical opera) in Ha temple, and other
activities.
The Hung
Temple Festival not only attracts visitors from all over and allows
visitors to participate in special traditional cultural activities,
but it is also a sacred trip back in time to the origins of the
Vietnamese culture. People usually show their love and pride of their
homeland and ancestral land. This religious belief is deeply imbedded
in the minds of every Vietnamese citizen, regardless of where they
originate.
Starting Dates in Western
Calendar 2005 Apr 18, 2021 Apr 07, 2021 Apr 26,
2008 Apr 15
CHU DONG TU FESTIVAL
This festival occurs for three days from the 10th - 12th of the third
lunar month in Chu Dong Tu Temple in Du Hoa Village, Chau Giang
District, Hungyen province, some 20 km from Hanoi.
Saint Chu Dong
Tu was one of the "four immortal heroes" at the centre
of Vietnamese society. Chu Dong Tu was a cultural hero and the founder
of agriculture because he conquered the marsh and developed
agriculture and trade.
After the opening ceremony, there is a procession to remind people of
the legend, life, and work of Saint Chu Dong Tu and his two wives .
Starting Dates in Western
Calendar 2005 Apr 18, 2021 Apr 07, 2021 Apr 26,
2008 Apr 15.
LE MAT SNAKE FESTIVAL
Le Mat Village belongs to the Viet Hung Commune, Gia Lam District,
Hanoi. The Le Mat Village Festival is held annually on the 23rd of the
3rd lunar month. In the early morning on the 23rd day of the 3rd
month, representatives of the 13 camps to the west of the Ancient
Capital of Thang Long carry 13 trays of food over their heads from the
capital to the Le Mat Village.
At the beginning of the festival, water and carp processions are
staged and brought to the Thanh Communal House. This ritual reminds
the present generation of the heroic accomplishments of exploiting and
bringing about agriculture to the village. A snake act is then
performed in the yard of the communal house. The snake (made of bamboo
taped with cloth) symbolizes the water-monster species that has been
bitten by the power and will of youth. The music of this act is an
octet and the sound of the drummer's double rhythm is haunting. The Le
Mat Village Festival provides an opportunity for children in the
village, and those who have reclaimed this ancient wasteland in the
city, to meet and retell the history of the establishment of the
village. The challenge and difficulty that was encountered in the
establishment of the village is expressed in the sincere homage of the
ancestors of the village.
In addition to the ceremony, the Le Mat people have a special talent
for catching snakes. While attending the Le Mat Village Festival,
guests are offered a cup of snake wine made from three or five snakes.
Starting Dates in Western
Calendar 2005 May 01, 2021 Apr 20, 2021 May 09,
2008 Apr 28.
WHALE FESTIVAL
The Whale Festival has been, for centuries, the biggest water festival
of the fishermen in Quangnam, Danang province. The worshipping of the
whale is not only about paying respect to their God, but also about
ensuring prosperity for the villagers. This festival last for two days
in the middle of the 3rd lunar month. On this occasion, the whale
temple, as well as all the houses and boats, are beautifully
decorated. The peace offering is conducted in the first evening at the
whale temple by village elders. Offerings, which do not contain
sea foods, are given while the oration is read out. The ceremony is
held to respect the Whale God and to pray for the safety and
prosperity of the village.
At dawn the following day, there will be a procession of boats on the
sea in a set formation. This procession displays the sincerity of
fishermen to their Whale God. By midnight, the official ceremony is
conducted as school children offer incense and the orchestra plays a
classical opera. All the fishing boats and villagers, no matter where
they are, will return to take part in the Whale Festival.
Starting Dates in Western
Calendar 2005 Apr 18, 2021 Apr 07, 2021 Apr 26,
2008 Apr 15.