Traditional festivals take the form of celebrations related principally to local traditions or religious rites, and are deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. It has been estimated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that every year some 8,300 traditional festivals are held across the country, including many of great antiquity.
While seasonal festivals such as Vietnamese New Year and Mid Autumn Festival are celebrated throughout the country, the majority of Việt Nam’s festivals are related to local traditions or linked to religious ceremonies of some description, and often involve traditional games such as tug-of-war, sports such as wrestling or cock fighting and performances of traditional dances, songs and dramas.
The Lunar New Year Festival (Tet Holiday)
Tet (Lunar New Year), the biggest and most sacred in Vietnamese traditional festival, is celebrated throughout the country in 3 days. Tet is an occasion for people to show respects to their ancestors and origins, wishing for a new year full of good luck and happiness.
Tet is also a time for visits from family and friends. The first visitor to a home is very important. If the first visitor is prestigious, or happy then the family will have good fortune that year. Usually this visitor is a relative, but sometimes the family will invite a special guest that they feel will bring them good luck. The first day of the Tet festival is reserved for visiting family and relatives. The second day is set aside for special guests and close friends to visit, and the third day is for teachers and business associates to make a visit. Negative talk, and arguments are taboo. Read more about the Tet Holiday in our Vietnam Information area.
Hue Festival
Hue Festival is a big international cultural event organized every two years since the year 2000, under the initiative of Hue City and the French Embassy in Vietnam.
This festival is one of the biggest cultural activities not only for Hue City, but the whole country as well. The main objective is to respect the long-lasting traditional cultural values. Hue is an ancient capital, a World Heritage site, and has unique architecture, culture and art. Hue has diverse and long-lasting traditional festival activities and a beautiful natural landscape. Hue Festival is a center of regional cultural festivals.
