Expressing reverence, maintaining ancient traditions, remembering
dead heroes, commemorating important events, demonstrating sporting
abilities, or simply entertaining the community, Vietnamese culture
has a long tradition of colourful festivals. Beyond the national
events, listed below, many local festivals take place throughout
the year around the country. These can feature puppet shows, folk
songs, traditional music, local dances, wrestling, rowing, rice
cooking, rope pulling, rope climbing, chess playing, cockfights,
buffalo fights, and pigeon races. There are also scores of regional
festivals, often jointly celebrated by collections of villages.
Many ethnic groups also celebrate festivals.
Festivals & Events
January or February
Tet
Vietnamese and Chinese New Year- With a history that dates
back thousands of years, the Tet festival was originally a
celebration held by Vietnamese farmers to thank the gods for
the arrival of spring, sometime between late January or early
February. Although officially a three-day affair, festivities
may continue for a week or more with every effort made to
indulge in eating, drinking, and enjoyable social activities.
It is also a time for family reunions, and for paying respect
to ancestors and the elders. Gifts of food are made to friends,
neighbors and relatives in the days before Tet.
March
Hai Ba Trung Day
On the 6th day of the 2nd lunar month the revolt of the Trung
Sisters against the Chinese in 40 AD is celebrated.
Holiday of the Dead (Thanh Minh)
Homage is paid to deceased ancestors and relatives by making
solemn visits to graves, with offerings of food, flowers,
and incense. The graves are normally cleaned and tidied a
few days prior.
April
Liberation Day of South Vietnam
The 30th of April marks the fall of Saigon in 1975, and the
final victory of the North Vietnamese Army.
May
Summer Solstice Day (Doan Ngu)
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon when offerings
are made to the spirit world and to ward off pestilence and
disease.
August
Mid-Autumn or Children's Moon Festival (Tet-Trung-Thu)
The essence of Tet-Trung-Thu - celebrated on the 15th day
of the eighth lunar month - is to promote education, culture,
music, sports, arts and crafts, and poetry. Beginning at noon
and ending at midnight, the festival includes folklore displays,
children's games, lantern processions, performing shows, dances,
martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts exhibitions,
food and drink booths, multicultural performances, essays,
drawing and coloring contests. Delicacies include moon cakes,
sticky rice, fruits and various sweets.
Day of All Wandering Souls (Trung Nguyen)
The spirits of the dead are believed to frequent the residence
of their offspring on this day. Food is offered on house altars
for the souls of the deceased, and fake paper money is burnt
in their honour. There are also celebrations in Buddhist temples.
Public Holidays
Jan 1
Western New Year's Day
Feb 3
Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Apr 30
Liberation Day of South Vietnam and Saigon
May 1
Labour Day
May 19
Ho Chi Minh's birthday
May 28
Holiday in commemoration of the birth, the enlightenment
and the death of the Buddha
Sep 2
National Holiday
Sep 3
Day to commemorate the death of Ho Chi Minh in 1969
Nov
Birthday of Confucius; moveable holiday, as it depends on
the moon calendar
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