Festivals in Ho Chi Minh City
Buddha’s Birthday Festival
Buddha’s Birthday Festival falls on the 15th day of
the Fourth Lunar month. In Ho Chi Minh this festival is a major celebration at
the Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda. The temple is decorated extravagantly with
colorful lanterns hung prettily. Monks can be seen walking in several
processions along the streets and praying thus adding to the Zen atmosphere.
Thien Hau Pagoda Festival
The Thien Hau Pagoda, located in Lai Thieu, is a
cultural vestige of Binh Duong Province. The pagoda, which was constructed
using ancient techniques, is a place of solemn worship.
The festival is organized annually from the 13th to
the 15th day of the 1st lunar month. On the 13th, the population of Thu Dau Mot
prepares tables placed in front of each house to worship and welcome Ba Thien
Hau. A great number of people from neighboring provinces also come to Thu Dau
Mot for the occasion.
On the 14th is the Ba welcoming ceremony, which
observes traditional rituals. A Ba palanquin is carried throughout the streets,
with unicorn dances, lion dances, and many flags. On the 15th, people come to
the Ba Pagoda to burn incense, pray, and ask for the protection of the Mandarin
to be safe and happy in the next year .The Thien Hau Pagoda Festival in Lai
Thieu is a folk festival bearing the unique culture of the southeast region.
The Fisherman’s Festival
The Fisherman’s Festival (Nghinh Ong Festival) is
celebration unique to the district of Can Gio in honor of the whale. The whale
is considered a sacred creature amongst fishermen and is worshipped as the God
of the Seas. Every Year, on the 16th day of the eighth lunar month, the
fishermen do not go out to sea Shrines, fishing harbors and boats are all
beautifully decorated on this day. It is a festival not to be missed and you
should try to factor it into your plans if traveling in Vietnam during this
period.
Le Van Duyet Temple Festival
The Le Van Duyet Temple Festival is a very
auspicious festival for the Vietnamese. It is celebrated on the death
anniversary of national hero Le Van Duyet and honors him and his wife. His
death anniversary is usually held on the 1st day of the 8th lunar month and
sometimes proceeds for a few days after the official ceremony. Traditional
Southern Vietnamese rituals are performed, including the burning of incense, an
opera performance or even consultation with the oracle about one’s life,
marriage, work, etc.
Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday
Ho Chi Minh, the former president was a pivotal figure
in gaining freedom for the people of Vietnam and has attained the status of
national hero in the hearts of Vietnamese. The city of Saigon was renamed Ho
Chi Minh City in his honor and his birthday, 19 may, is widely celebrated in
this city.
