Kien Giang

The festival aims to preserve historical values, cultural activities, and the agricultural beliefs of wet-rice cultivation, as well as the worship of water deities by the inhabitants of the Ancestral Land. It's an occasion for local people to commemorate their ancestors who contributed to nation-building and village establishment, and to pray for blessings, good fortune, favorable weather, bountiful harvests, peace for the people, and prosperity for the nation.

Phu Ninh Buffalo Fighting Festival has a long history, organized to commemorate King Hùng based on an ancient legend where King Hùng, while hunting through Phu Ninh commune (Phu Ninh district, Phu Tho province), killed two tigers that were fighting.

The Hùng Temple Festival is the largest among the traditional festivals of Phú Thọ as well as the festivals of the Vietnamese nation. During these days, people from all over the country flock to Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, Hy Cương Commune, Việt Trì City, to collectively honor the Hùng Kings. Additionally, it is an occasion for gathering, celebrating the prosperity of the Vietnamese lineage, and serving as a symbol of community spirit, reminding the Vietnamese people to unite in building an increasingly prosperous nation.

The Tam Giang Temple Festival kicks off on the morning of the 8th day of the third lunar month with a traditional water procession at the river confluence. The leader of the male ritual team, along with representatives of the village elders, local leaders, and people from all walks of life, board a boat to perform the sacred water-fetching ritual. The collected water is then brought to the temple for the ceremony.

Along the stream, trees hang their shadows gently reflecting on the clear water. There are three temples — the Upper Temple, the Middle Temple, and the Lower Temple — built during the Lê Dynasty (16th–17th century), dedicated to Princess Quế Mỵ Nương, daughter of King Hùng Định Vương. She was honored as the Supreme Mountain Holy Mother for her role in reclaiming and developing this land. Every year, to commemorate her merits, the local people hold the Suối Mỡ Temple Festival on the 30th of March and the 1st of April in the lunar calendar.On the main festival day, April 1st, besides the lively and bustling procession, at the Lower Temple, villagers organize various traditional games and ethnic sports such as wrestling, Chinese chess, swinging, cockfighting, archery, ethnic martial arts, badminton, football, volleyball, and chess. Among these, archery and ethnic martial arts are performed by local natives. At night, there is a traditional spiritual singing performance (hát chầu văn), making the festival lively and vibrant throughout the night.The Suối Mỡ Festival is a famous festival in Lục Nam, attracting a large number of visitors from both inside and outside the province to come and pay homage and participate in the festivities.

In the thick incense smoke, from the bottom of everyone’s hearts, people turn towards goodness, praying for all blessings to come to their families and clans. Scenes of warm welcomes, enthusiastic invitations, meetings, well wishes, and heartfelt farewells fill the atmosphere with human warmth. On the temple grounds, singing troupes and performance groups continuously entertain for several days and nights.Then there are the scenes of Quan họ singing, the ritual of offering betel leaves and water by the matched couples, making the festival even livelier and more joyful. Alongside solemn and respectful ceremonies, the Bổ Đà temple festival also features some traditional folk games like wrestling, cockfighting, stealing the bridge, and swinging, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

During the festival day, the monks and nuns at the temple light incense, chant sutras, and recite Buddha’s name at the Three Jewels Hall, the First Patriarch’s Hall, and the Second Patriarch’s Hall. They also ring the Hoang Duong bell to propagate Buddhist teachings in the early morning and evening. Every year, on the day of the festival, visitors from all directions come bustling to the temple.Most of the visitors to the La Pagoda Festival are elderly people, nuns, and young men and women. Temporary stalls are set up along the road from the Three Gates to the Front Hall. Inside the temple grounds, there are no stalls, but there are many groups offering incense and performing rituals. At the same time, there are performing troupes presenting Buddhist plays that attract many spectators.

The festival begins with an opening speech explaining the significance of the Yên Thế peasant uprising movement and affirming the spirit of this eternal and indomitable rebellion. This is followed by a parade showcasing strength, dignity, and splendor—this moment is also the liveliest part of the festival, featuring performances reenacting Hoàng Hoa Thám and his troops... rekindling the heroic history of our ancestors.

The Traditional Festival of Chem Temple is held annually to honor and express gratitude for the merits of King Khang Hy Ly Ong Trong (also known as Saint Chem).This is also an occasion for those who live far from their homeland to return to their roots, and for visitors from all over to explore the traditional cultural values of Bac Tu Liem District and its people. The festival also serves as a ceremonial prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests, reflecting the agricultural beliefs of the ancient Red River Delta communities.The festival features vibrant and exciting activities such as human chess, tug of war, and sack races, promising to draw strong community participation and leave a lasting impression on visitors from near and far.