In October, cultural festivals will be taking place across the
country, from the Kin Lau Khau Mau in Lai Chau, Co Le Pagoda in Nam Dinh
to the Kate in Binh Thuan or Sene Dolta and bull racing in An Giang.
The Vietnam Net newspaper gives a glimpse of the events.
* Sene Dolta and bull racing festival
Sene Dolta is one of the largest annual festivals of the Khmer people,
alongside Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) and Ooc Oom Bok, a festival to
thank the Moon for a good harvest.
During the
festival, Khmer people gather together to pay tribute to their ancestors
and enjoy traditional songs and dancing after a hard working year.
It is also known as the ancestor worshiping ceremony, held every year
from the 29th day of the eighth month to the 1st day of the ninth month
of the lunar calendar.
The bull racing is part of
the ceremonies, with the participation of 38 pairs of oxen. The most
famous racing is in Bay Nui area in the southern province of An Giang.
This is a chance for men to show off their bravery and skills. The
festival this year will be held from October 3 to 5.
* Kate Festival
This is the largest, most crowded festival of the Cham people in Ninh
Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, in the central region. It commemorates
the national heroes, the ancestors, gods, King Poklong Garai and King
Prome.
This year the Kate festival in Ninh Thuan
will take place in three main areas including the Po Ina Nagar temple in
Huu Duc-Ninh Phuoc; Po Klaong Garay Tower in Do Vinh of Phan Rang city;
Cham Tower and Po Rome Tower in Hau Sanh-Ninh Phuoc on October 3, 4 and
5. Meanwhile, the Kate festival in Binh Thuan will take place on
October 3 and 4 at the Po Sah Inu Tower in Phan Thiet City.
* Keo Pagoda Festival
Keo is one of the ancient pagodas in Vietnam with 400-year-old
architecture. It is located in Hanh Thien village in Xuan Hong commune,
Xuan Truong district of Nam Dinh.
From the 8th to
the 16th of the ninth month in lunar calendar every year, the pagoda
hosts the festival to celebrate the birthday of the holy saint Khong Lo.
In addition to the traditional ceremonies, a traditional boat race with
unique rituals will be held. This year the festival will be held from
October 12 to 20.
* Father-Mother Palace Festival
The Father-Mother Palace Festival has long been a cultural event of
Binh Thuan province. It will be held on October 18-20 at the historical –
cultural relic of Father-Mother Palace in Tan Tien commune, Lagi town.
Besides praying for good health and happiness for
the family and for good business, the festival will have many folk games
and folk art events that are very attractive to visitors.
* Kin Lau Khau Mau ceremony
Kin Lau Khau Mau ceremony is also known as Thanksgiving or New Rice
Festival, which is usually held on the full moon in the ninth lunar
month (this year on October 19) of the Thai people in Muong So commune,
Phong Tho district of Lai Chau province.
This is an
occasion to give thanks for a bountiful harvest, a chance for boys and
girls to compete and learn about each other as well as for people’s
relaxation.
An indispensable part of the festival is
to choose rice to make green rice flakes. In addition, a lot of
interesting folk games of Thai people will be held. This is also an
opportunity to invite visitors to taste Thai dishes such as rock moss,
grilled stream fish and sticky rice.
* Co Le Pagoda Festival
Co Le Pagoda is a Buddhist and Vietnamese faith architectural complex with gothic architecture in Nam Dinh province.
From October 13 to 20, the festival will host a ceremony to
commemorate the Holy Saint. This is one of the typical traditional
festivals of Nam Dinh province. In addition to the unique rituals and
festival, tourists will be impressed with a complex of relics, including
the 11-storey lotus tower.
* Bodhisattva of Mercy Birthday
The 19th of the second month, the 19th of the sixth month and the 19
of the ninth month of the lunar calendar are the three most important
birthdays of the year for Buddhists all over the world. Each birthday of
the Bodhisattva of Mercy has a distinct meaning. On October 23 of this
year (the 19th of the ninth lunar month), people will flock to the
Buddhist temples to pray for good weather, national peace and happy
family.
* Trung Cuu Festival
Trung Cuu (Double Nine) festival derives its name from the fact that it
is held on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar. It
will be held at the Big House in Long Son commune, Vung Tau city from
the night on October 12 to 13 this year.
This is a celebration for peace and to commemorate the merit of Lord Tran.
Visitors will be impressed with the ancient architectural works and
artistic monuments of the Big House and the ancient traditions that have
been well preserved and promoted for hundreds of years.
* Am Pagoda and Lai Tri Communal House Festival
Am Pagoda and Lai Tri communal house in Vu Tay commune, Kien Xuong
district, Thai Binh province, worship Duong Khong Lo, who cured a
strange disease for King Ly Thai Tong.
Every year,
the Am Pagoda festival takes place on the second day of the ninth month
while the festival at Lai Tri communal house lasts from 13th to 15th of
the ninth month in the lunar calendar. This is a major festival for
local people with many exciting activities.-VNA