Traditional Vietnamese Festivals: Culture, Spirit, and Significance

Preserving National Identity

Traditional festivals are an integral part of the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese people. From large national festivals like Tet Nguyên Đán to smaller, local celebrations, each festival carries deep cultural, historical, and religious values. Let’s explore the unique features of traditional Vietnamese festivals.

Tết Nguyên Đán – The Biggest Festival of the Year

Tết Nguyên Đán, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most important festival of the year for Vietnamese people. It’s a time for family reunions, remembering ancestors, and wishing for a prosperous and happy new year. Typical activities of Tết Nguyên Đán include: preparing ancestral offerings, giving lucky money (lì xì), paying New Year’s visits, and watching fireworks.

Spring Festival – Tết Đoan Ngọ

Tết Đoan Ngọ (the 5th day of the 5th lunar month) is an occasion to commemorate national heroes and pray for health and good fortune. The festival features unique activities such as eating sticky rice cakes (bánh ú), ash cakes (bánh tro), and drinking rice wine.

Autumn Festival – Mid-Autumn Festival

Tết Trung Thu (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month) is a festival for children, with fun activities such as carrying star lanterns (rước đèn ông sao) and enjoying the Mid-Autumn feast (phá cỗ trung thu). Mid-Autumn Festival signifies family reunion and togetherness.

Religious Festivals – Gióng Festival

Gióng Festival (in Bắc Ninh province) is a religious festival expressing the people’s gratitude to the hero Saint Gióng, who defeated the An invaders. The festival features many unique cultural and sporting activities.

Diverse and Rich Local Festivals

Besides major festivals, Vietnam boasts countless local festivals, each region and area having its own unique celebrations. This reflects the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture.

Preserving and Promoting the Value of Traditional Festivals

Preserving and promoting the value of traditional festivals is extremely important. We need to strive to maintain the beauty of traditional culture, educate the younger generation about the meaning of these festivals, so that they continue to exist and thrive.