In Vietnamese beliefs, Lunar Tet is the most important festival that provides time for family, friends, and future plans. Tet is also an occasion for various festivals held across the country. The whole country is covered by colorful flowers, flags, and unceasing crowds, accompanied by the sound of traditional instruments and music. As Tet ends, the celebration continues with festivals in Vietnam after Tet, where people take part in vibrant cultural and religious events that extend the festive spirit beyond the New Year. All of these create a special picture of the Tet holiday in Vietnam.
Moreover, you can’t miss these typical festivals when visiting Vietnam during the springtime.
1. Huong Pagoda Festival
Firstly, it is a mistake if you neglect one of the largest spring festivals in Vietnam, the Huong Pagoda Festival. As one of the most significant festivals in Vietnam after Tet, it is organized at Huong Son Mountain, My Duc District, Hanoi, from the 6th of January in the lunar calendar to the end of spring, with its peak time in the last half of January. During the festival, visitors and pilgrims sit in rowing boats through the Yen Vi stream to Duc berth, creating a beautiful spectacle when viewed from a high place.
Like many festivals and celebrations, this festival is divided into 2 parts.
2. Lim Festival
As one of the festivals in Vietnam after Tet, Lim Festival follows the Huong Pagoda Festival as the next special celebration. Held in Lim Hill, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province, this festival takes place annually from the 12th to the 14th of January in the Lunar Calendar, attracting many visitors. The ceremony opens with various traditional rituals, such as an incense-offering liturgy that expresses the locals’ gratitude and respect for the Lim Festival’s founder. It is also an occasion to remember the origin of the festival.
After the ceremony, the “Quan Ho” singing performance, the highlight of the festival, begins with enthusiastic handclaps from the audience. During this performance, singers in pairs perform “Quan Ho” folk songs. Female singers (called “lien chi” in Vietnamese) look beautiful in “ao tu than” (four-panel traditional dress) and “quai thao” hats, while male singers (called “lien anh” in Vietnamese) appear elegant in “ao the” and “khan xep.” They sing love duets together on a dragon boat in the middle of a lake in front of Lim Communal House.
Besides the “Quan Ho” singing performance, tourists can also experience many folk games with locals, such as wrestling, rice cooking competitions, human chess, and tug-of-war.
3. Cau Ngu festival in Thua thien Hue province.
In central Vietnam, people believe that Cau Ngu is one of the most important festivals in Vietnam after Tet, especially for fishermen during the Lunar New Year. This festival is held annually at Thai Duong Ha village, Thuan An town, Thua Thien Hue province, from the 10th to the 12th of January in the lunar calendar, to express gratitude and respect for the village’s founder, Truong Quy Ong, who taught villagers to fish and trade. As usual, the first part of the festival consists of ceremonies that express appreciation for traditional morals and solemnity. The host, representing all the villagers, stands in the temple and prays for a peaceful fishing season and a bountiful harvest. After that, a series of offshore fishing boats depart at the same time, carrying the villagers’ hopes and dreams for the New Year. In parallel with this activity, the locals also celebrate many entertainment games. Tourists can witness the boat launch, the daily life of the Thai Duong Ha people, and many beautiful coastal landscapes as well.
4. Dong Da festival, Binh Dinh province
To honor the King who founded the Tay Son dynasty, Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue, and the victory at Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da against the Thanh enemy, the Dong Da festival is celebrated annually, starting on the 4th and ending on the 5th of January in the lunar calendar. As one of the most notable festivals in Vietnam after Tet, it showcases many typical features, such as instruments, elephants, and people, creating a magnificent picture of the festival during the ceremony. The next part of the festival promises even more excitement, as visitors can watch and experience many thrilling performances by the local people. The recreation of the battle scene, along with impressive combinations of martial arts, music, and folk games, will leave tourists feeling both fascinated and satisfied. Since Binh Dinh is the birthplace of many martial arts, the performances will be carried out by masters from various schools, such as Hung Ke Quyen and Ngoc Tran Quyen.
5. Ba Den Mountain Festival
Ba Den Mountain Historical, Cultural, and Tourism Relic Site is located on Ba Mountain, Tay Ninh City, and it takes over 2 hours to travel from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to this site. There is a large annual festival in spring called the Ba Den Mountain Festival, which runs from the 4th of January until the end of spring in the lunar calendar. This spring festival attracts many visitors and pilgrims who come for both pilgrimage and sightseeing. The festival also consists of two parts: ceremonies and entertainment activities. The ceremony includes many rituals, such as the Moc Duc ritual (bathing the statue) and Trinh Thap Cung (offering ten different fruits, flowers, and foods). Besides paying respect to Buddha and the Saints, visitors also come for sightseeing. Located on a beautiful high mountain (about 936m above sea level) with a complex of temples and pagodas near Dau Tieng Lake, this festival is also an ideal destination for visitors who enjoy mountain climbing and hiking.
