The Most Popular Vietnamese Festival, Ranked

Choose the festival you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:52
In the heart of Vietnam, a tapestry of vibrant festivals paints the calendar, each carrying its own unique traditions and celebrations. The love for these festivities runs deep in the veins of locals and travelers alike, as they each hold a mirror to the rich cultural heritage and community spirit of the nation. Identifying the most beloved festival helps preserve these traditions and guides new audiences in experiencing the depth of Vietnam's cultural festivities. By casting a vote for your favorite festival, you contribute to a crowd-sourced snapshot of what resonates most with attendees from around the world. This dynamic list not only fuels friendly competition among the festivals but also empowers new visitors with a curated guide to experiencing the best of what Vietnam has to offer in terms of cultural celebrations. Your participation helps shape a collective appreciation and global recognition of these cultural landmarks.

What Is the Most Popular Vietnamese Festival?

  1. 1
    58
    votes
    Tet Nguyen Dan
    vi:Lưu Ly · Public domain
    Also known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, it is the most important and popular festival celebrated by Vietnamese people worldwide. It usually falls in late January or early February and lasts for several days. It is a time for family reunions, traditional food, and paying respect to ancestors.
    Tet Nguyen Dan, also known as Tet, is the most important and widely celebrated festival in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year, marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new lunar year. The festival is filled with traditions, customs, and rituals that hold great significance to the Vietnamese people.
    • Dates: Tet Nguyen Dan usually falls between late January and mid-February, following the lunar calendar. It is based on the first day of the first month in the lunar year.
    • Duration: Tet is celebrated over a period of three days, but preparations and festivities can last up to two weeks.
    • Family Reunion: It is a time for families to come together, pay respect to ancestors and deceased family members, and strengthen bonds.
    • Cleaning and Decoration: Homes are thoroughly cleaned to get rid of bad luck and decorated with flowers, traditional ornaments, and red lucky symbols.
    • Food: Special food is prepared and shared, including traditional dishes like Chung cake and Tet cake. These represent good luck and prosperity.
  2. 2
    32
    votes
    Mid-Autumn Festival
    Shizhao · CC BY-SA 2.5
    Also known as Tet Trung Thu, it is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, usually in September or October. It is a time for family gatherings, mooncakes, lanterns, and traditional games for children.
    The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Lantern Festival, is one of the most popular Vietnamese festivals. It is a traditional harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, which usually falls in September or early October. The festival is centered around the admiration of the moon and is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and lantern displays.
    • Dates: 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar
    • Origin: Chinese culture, introduced to Vietnam during the Chinese rule
    • Significance: Harvest festival, moon worship, family reunion
    • Celebration: Family gatherings, feasting, lantern displays, lion dances, dragon dances, storytelling
    • Traditional Food: Mooncakes (round pastries with various fillings), fruits, tea
  3. 3
    22
    votes
    Held every two years in the city of Hue, this festival celebrates the cultural heritage of the former imperial capital of Vietnam. It features traditional music, dance, and art performances, as well as culinary and fashion shows.
    The Hue Festival is a biennial cultural event held in the city of Hue in Vietnam. It celebrates the rich heritage and history of Vietnam, particularly of the Nguyen Dynasty. The festival aims to showcase traditional and contemporary arts, cultural performances, and historical exhibitions, providing a platform for local and international artists to come together and share their talents. It brings the city to life with vibrant colors, music, dance, and a range of cultural activities.
    • Frequency: Biennial
    • Location: Hue, Vietnam
    • Duration: 10 days
    • Year of Inception: 2000
    • Theme: Cultural heritage and arts
  4. 4
    13
    votes
    Held on the 14th day of every lunar month in the ancient town of Hoi An, this festival is characterized by the colorful lanterns that adorn the streets and waterways. It also features traditional music, dance, and food.
    The Hoi An Lantern Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Vietnam, celebrated in the ancient town of Hoi An. During this festival, the entire town is adorned with beautiful lanterns, creating a magical and enchanting ambiance. The festival takes place on the 14th day of each lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. It is a time for locals and tourists alike to come together, enjoy traditional music performances, colorful parades, and witness the release of floating lanterns into the river.
    • Location: Hoi An, Vietnam
    • Date: 14th day of each lunar month
    • Duration: One day
    • Theme: Lanterns and lights
    • Activities: Music performances, parades, floating lantern release
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    Held at the Sam Mountain in An Giang province, this festival is dedicated to the goddess Ba Chua Xu, who is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the region. It features processions, traditional music, and offerings of fruits and flowers.
    The Ba Chua Xu Festival, also known as the Lady of the Realm Festival, is one of the most popular and important festivals in Vietnam. It takes place annually in the Sam Mountain area of An Giang Province, near the border with Cambodia. The festival is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Ba Chua Xu, who is believed to bring prosperity, fertility, and protection to the local communities.
    • Location: Sam Mountain, An Giang Province, Vietnam
    • Date: Late April or early May
    • Duration: Multiple days, usually lasting 3-5 days
    • Purpose: To seek blessings, prosperity, and protection from the goddess
    • Activities: Pilgrimages, ceremonies, processions, performances, worshipping rituals
  6. 6
    16
    votes

    Tran Temple Festival

    Tran Thi Dung
    Held in Nam Dinh province, this festival honors the legendary national hero Tran Hung Dao. It features traditional martial arts performances, musical shows, and a boat race on the Red River.
    The Tran Temple Festival, also known as Phu Dong or Co Trach Festival, is one of the most famous festivals in Vietnam. It is held annually to honor the Tran dynasty and their contributions to the country's history. The festival takes place at the Tran Temple, located in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam.
    • Date: From the 13th to the 15th day of the second lunar month
    • Duration: 3 days
    • Purpose: To pay homage to Tran kings and heroes, to pray for good fortune and prosperity
    • Activities: Processions, incense offering ceremonies, traditional music performances, martial arts demonstrations, folk games
    • Highlights: Ceremony of flower and water procession, buffalo fighting competitions, human chess, wrestling matches
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    Held in Do Son, Hai Phong, this festival is a unique cultural event that dates back to the 18th century. It features buffalo fights, which are believed to symbolize the strength and bravery of the local people.
    The Buffalo Fighting Festival is a traditional Vietnamese festival that showcases the strength and agility of buffaloes through exciting and competitive fights. It is a popular event attracting locals and tourists alike.
    • Location: The festival takes place primarily in the villages of Hai Phong province, Vietnam.
    • Frequency: The festival is held annually.
    • Date: The exact date of the festival varies each year but commonly falls between the months of August and October.
    • Duration: The festival typically lasts for several days, with various activities and competitions held throughout.
    • Participants: The festival involves the participation of local farmers who own and raise the buffaloes.
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    Held every two years in the city of Da Lat, this festival showcases the beauty of the flowers that grow in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. It features parades, exhibitions, and floral art installations.
    The Da Lat Flower Festival is an annual festival held in Da Lat, Vietnam, which celebrates the vibrant flower industry and the unique beauty of the city's floral displays. It is considered one of the most popular festivals in Vietnam, attracting both domestic and international visitors.
    • Location: Da Lat, Vietnam
    • Frequency: Annual
    • Duration: Multiple days (typically 5-7 days)
    • Main Theme: Celebration of flowers and floral industry
    • Opening Ceremony: Colorful parades, flower displays, and performances
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    Held in the coastal city of Vung Tau, this festival is dedicated to the sea god Ong Nam Hai, who is believed to protect fishermen and seafarers. It features processions, traditional music, and offerings of seafood.
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Held in the central coastal province of Binh Dinh, this festival is dedicated to the whale god, who is believed to protect fishermen and bring good luck to the community. It features a procession of fishing boats and offerings of fruits and flowers.
    Cau Ngu Festival is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in Vietnam. It is a traditional event that honors the whale and seeks blessings for a prosperous fishing season. The festival is held in coastal regions, particularly in the central provinces of Vietnam.
    • Location: Coastal regions in central provinces of Vietnam
    • Purpose: To honor the whale and pray for a bountiful fishing season
    • Timing: Usually takes place in the first months of the lunar calendar year
    • Rituals: Offerings to the whale, traditional dances, boat races, music performances
    • Significance: Symbolizes the unity and harmony between humans and nature

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Ranking factors for popular festival

  1. Popularity
    The festival's overall popularity and recognition within Vietnam and internationally. 2. Historical significance: The festival's historical significance and how it relates to Vietnamese culture and traditions. 3. Cultural relevance: The festival's cultural relevance and how it reflects the values and beliefs of the Vietnamese people. 4. Participation: The level of participation and enthusiasm from the local community and visitors. 5. Festivities: The various festivities, food, and cultural performances associated with the festival. 6. Duration: The length of the festival and the number of days or weeks it is celebrated. 7. Economic impact: The economic impact of the festival on the local community and the tourism industry.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Vietnamese festival. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Festival is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1616 views
  • 180 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Festival once every 24 hours. The rank of each Festival is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular vietnamese festival

Vietnam is a country rich in culture and traditions, and one of the best ways to experience this is through their festivals. Vietnamese festivals are a celebration of the country's history and beliefs, and they are an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the festivities. One of the most popular Vietnamese festivals is the Tet Nguyen Dan, also known as the Vietnamese New Year. This festival is celebrated in late January or early February and marks the beginning of the lunar new year. It is a time for family reunions, traditional food, and colorful decorations. Another popular festival is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This festival is a celebration of the harvest and is often associated with children and the moon. It is a time for lanterns, mooncakes, and dragon dances. Other notable festivals include the Hue Festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage of the city of Hue, and the Hoi An Lantern Festival, which takes place on the 14th day of the lunar month and is a celebration of the city's history and traditions. Overall, Vietnamese festivals are a vibrant and exciting part of the country's culture, and they offer visitors a unique glimpse into the traditions and values of the Vietnamese people.

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