Vietnam Festivals in May

LABOR DAY

1st May - public holiday

BA CHUA XU FESTIVAL

Sam mountain is located 5 kilometers from the town of Chau Doc in An Giang province. This mountain is the centre of a complex of historical sites such as the old Tay An Pagoda, the Ba Chua Xu Shrine, the Hang Pagoda, and the Imperial Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau.
The festival of Ba Chua Xu (also called the Via Ba Ceremony) is held annually from the 23rd night to the 27th day of the 4th lunar month. To go to the festival, head along Road No.10 from Long Xuyen to Chau Doc. Sam Mountain is 5 kilometers away from Chau Doc. Also, one can take the waterway from Can Tho to Soc Trang, or from Saigon directly.
On the night of April 23rd, there is a bathing and changing of robes ceremony for the statue of Ba Chua. The bathing water is scented and Ba Chua's old clothes are cut into small pieces to distribute to visitors and pilgrims. The small pieces of clothes are considered lucky, keeping one in good health and driving away evil spirits.
After this ceremony is the Tue Yet Rite, which starts at midnight on the 25th and continues into the early morning of the 26th. This rite petitions Ba Chua's nomination to the heavens with an imposing procession of dragon dances. The Imperial Sedan Chair is taken to Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb for a chanting ritual before being taken back to the shrine of Ba Chua.
Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 May 25, 2012 Apr 04.

SUMMER SOLSTICE DAY (TET DOAN NGO)

Held on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, when offerings are made to the spirit world and to ward off pestilence and disease. Tet Doan Ngo is also called Parasite-Killing Festival. This is a mid-year festival to enhance the prevention of evils and illnesses, and the memory of the ancestors.
Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2010 Jun 16, 2011 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 23.

GIONG FESTIVAL

The Giong Festival is held annually in Phu Dong Village, Gia Lam District, Hanoi.
This large festival is held on the 9th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar. The date commemorates Saint Giong who defeated the An invaders. In order to show their gratitude to the hero of Giong Village who sacrificed his life to fight invaders, the people proclaimed him Saint Giong.
Preparation for the festival occurs from the 1st day of the 3rd lunar month to the 5th day of the 4th lunar month. The procession starts from the Mother Temple to Thuong Temple with the performance of a religious service. After reaching the temple, a feast for the troops occurs. When night falls, a Cheo play is performed (a classical Vietnamese opera). The festivities ends on the 10th day of the 4th month, as the troops withdraw and a thanksgiving procession takes place.
At the Giong Festival, people can make connections with their the neighbors, with relatives, between the individuals within a community, and with the past and present. This festival blends together the traditions of love for the motherland and the preservation of the cultural heritage.
Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2010 May 03, 2011 May 11, 2012 Apr 29.

CHEM TEMPLE FESTIVAL

Chem Temple festival (Hanoi) worships aliases Ly Ong Trong, during the Hung kings Dynasty, who helped the Chinese Emperor Tan Thuy Hoang to hold in check the Mongolian invaders.
Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 May 11, 2012 May 04.

CHILDREN'S DAY

1st June - public holiday

TRA CO VILLAGE FESTIVAL

This festival is held in Quang Ninh Province, in memory of the establishment of the ancient fishing village, which founded 600 years ago.
Starting Dates in Western Calendar 2011 Jun 30, 2012 Jun 18.