Vietnam - The Land of Traditional Festivals

MAY
* WHALE FESTIVAL IN NHA TRANG (Khanh Hoa Province)
In Nha Trang; a a large community of fishermen worship the whale for its tranquil and relaxed nature; believing it to be beneficial to their health and safety when storms or typhoons hit the central coast. The festival lasts for two days and involves a procession from the Whale Temple to the sea; where foods (never seafoods) are offered to the Whale God.

AUGUST
* THE MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL
This Fesival falls on the15th day of the seventh lunar month to remember all those dead relatives. The Mid Autumn festival is when lost souls are given food and new clothes.

* KIEP BAC FESTIVAL (Hung Dao Commune in the Northern province of Hai Duong)
The festival lasts from the 15th to the 20th day of the eighth lunar month. Numerous traditional games and festivities are performed to honor General Tran Quoc Tuan; the man who helped defeat the Mongol invaders (on three separate occasions). SEPTEMBER
* THE KEO PAGODA FESTIVAL (Giao Thuy; Nam Ha province)
This Festival is held between the 12th and 15th of the Lunar month of September and commemorates Khong Lo; a Buddhist monk. He possessed several supernatural powers that included the ability to harness rivers; convert marshes to dry land; and he was able to destroy devils that were persecuting farmers and fishermen.

OCTOBER
* NGO BOAT RACES (Soc Trang; Hau Giang province)
This Festival is held on October 15; and is part of the Moon worshipping ceremony of the Khmers who live in the Mekong Delta. A boat race takes place; using large wooden “Ngo` boats; specially shaped ones that are curved at both ends.

DECEMBER
* TET THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
There is no more colorful time to be in Vietnam thanduring the days lead­ing up to Tet Nguyen Dan; the most important festival of the year for Vietnam`s Kinh ethnic majority
Tet; the Lunar New Year; falls on the first day of January of the lunar calendar; and is a different date each year when converted to the Western; or solar; calendar. For Vietnamese it’s the most important holiday of the year; and staying with family is important at this time; as is visiting family graves. People’s homes get cleaned and are painted with fresh paint; and get decorated with branches of peach blossom and bright orange kumquat trees.