FESTIVALS IN VIETNAM

Vietnam has one of the most colorful and lively festivals throughout Southeast Asia.  It is a country with rich culture and tradition.  Listed below are some of the most notable festivals in Vietnam.

1. Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) – is the most popular festival in Vietnam, which will begin on the first day of the first lunar month.  Tet is one of the oldest festivals in Vietnam in which the exact origin is unknown.  Tet Nguyen Dan is all about beginning the New Year right.  It is about paying homage to ancestors and grandparents.  Every Vietnamese will send wishes of good health, longevity to the elders and bountiful harvest. 
2. Mid Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) – is the second most celebrated festival in Vietnam.  The name Mid Autumn Festival becomes Tet Trong Tang or moon looking festival of children since the moon is the roundest and shines brightest all year round.  Mid Autumn Festival will start in the midst of September to early October.  There will lots of activities involved during this festival like the lion dance, procession of amazing lights with lanterns shaped like a star or moon and eating of delicious pasties and fruits.
3. Khau Vai – it is a love market festival among different ethnic groups.  It happens only once a year, which is, every March 27th on lunar calendar.   Khau Vai is the home of ethnic minority groups of Giay, Nung and Muong.  According to folklore, long time ago there were two couples  who were madly deeply in love with each other but the thing is they came from different ethnicity (the girl belong to Giay group whilst the boy to the Nung group).  The girl is so beautiful that her family prevented her to marry the boy who came from other group.    As a result, it resulted to conflict between the Nung and Giay groups.  In order to stop the blood shed the lovers decided to end the war by saying a sorrowful goodbye to one another.  Nonetheless, they made plans that they will meet once a year on March 27th at Khau Vai.  Thus, Khau Vai becomes a popular meeting place for lovers of different ages.
4. Do Son buffalo fighting- on the 9th day of eight lunar month, a buffalo fighting festival is held in the city of Haiphong.  Do Son Buffalo Fighting preparation is very elaborate because there are many factors involve especially in choosing a buffalo to fight.  The most typical reason for the ceremony is to express the martial spirit of the local people in Do Son, Haiphong. 
5. Chua Huong Pagoda (Perfume Pagoda) – one of the most anticipated festivasl in Vietnam.  Simply because one cannot just beseech his/ her wishes and hopes but as well as behold the magnificent scenery of the Huong Pagoda.  It is held every 29th of January, the sixth day of the first lunar month at My Duc district, northern of Ha Tay province.  This festival attracts numerous Buddhist pilgrims and tourists coming from different parts of the country.  Whether you are acquainted to one another or not you should greet everyone by saying “A Di Da Phat", which means, “We beg Lord Buddha to give us health and luck".
6. Hung Temple- it does not only attract foreign tourists from different countries but it also served as a blessed trip back in time to the origins of Vietnamese inhabitants.  Hung Temple festival is one of the most sacred and significant event in Vietnam, regardless of where they came from.  Numerous Vietnamese offer Banh chung (square sticky rice cake) and banh giay (round sticky rice cake) in honor of King Hung to give value of King Hung’s contribution to the Vietnamese and to Lang Lieu, one of the Hung Kings who invented cakes. 
7. Dong Da Festival- it is a festival, which commemorates the triumphant victory of the Vietnamese nation against the Qing invaders.  It is held annually on the 5th lunar day of the Tet Holiday.  Early morning on the 5th day there will be a colorful procession, which includes the procession of flags, sunshade umbrellas or parasol, palanquins in multiple colors, and the sounds and beats of gongs and drums.  Furthermore, residents will wear their beautiful traditional dress and will gather at Khuong Thuong Communal house to burn incense and a grand sacrifice that is done after daybreak.  There will also be games to play and contests to challenge the skills, intellect and ability of the participants.
8. Elephant Race Festival- celebrated on the third lunar month and takes place every springtime.  The winning elephant will be given a laurel wreath.  In addition, after the race the elephants will participate in the competition of swimming across the Serepok River, tug-of-wars, throwing balls and playing football.  An enjoyable sight to watch and should not be dared to miss.