TET: LUNAR NEW YEAR
In the lead up to Tet New Year, businesses hang festive banners City Street are festooned with colored light, and stalls spring up all over town to sell candied fruits and jams, traditional cakes and flowers. Whilst most Vietnamese spend this time with their families, some organized events usually still occur, in particular firework displays on the New Year’s Eve.
LIM FESTIVAL
Held in Lim village 18km from Hanoi, the Lim Festival showcase the special folk songs the quan ho . During the festival Vietnam’s most skilled Quan Ho singer take to the pagodas, hill and boat of the region to perform their musical dialogues. Weaving competitions and temple games also take place.
GIONG FESTIVAL
Head to the honor the god and Saint Thanh Giong, who defended Vietnam against foreign invaders, the festival includes re-enacting his fests through the orchestration of an elaborate flag dance in Phu Dong temple, and a ritual bathing of his statue and procession of bamboo flowers in Soc temple.
BUON DON ELEPHANT RACES
The people of Vietnam’s Buon Don district celebrate their heritage of skill wild elephant tamers through this annual elephant race. Ridden by 2 jockeys, the elephants are raced over a mile – long track to the encouragement of the crowd yelling and beating gongs.
HUE FESTIVAL
One Vietnam’s biggest cultural event, the Hue Festival includes procession, the playing of nha nhac Royal court music, art display, dance performance, and the production and sale of traditional handicrafts.