Discovering Festivals in Hoi An – A Cultural Beauty Worth Experiencing

Hoi An, a renowned and picturesque tourist destination situated in the sun-drenched and breezy central region, stands as an epitome of timeless beauty, earning UNESCO recognition as a world cultural heritage site. The ancient town of Hoi An beckons visitors not only with its moss-covered ancient streets, gracefully arched tiled-roof houses, and meandering alleyways but also with its vibrant display of colorful lanterns, illuminating the streets and captivating tourists from all corners of the globe.

In addition to these prominent features, another significant factor contributing to Hoi An's unique and culturally rich allure lies in its traditional cultural festivals. These festivals further enhance the city's identity and charm, attracting tourists from far and wide. When visiting Hoi An, one can truly immerse themselves in its rich cultural tapestry and experience the essence of tradition and festivity.

1. Hoi An Lantern Festival - Hoi An Full Moon Festival

On the 14th day of every lunar month, the Full Moon Night Festival, or Lantern Festival, in Hoi An, has evolved into an emblem of the old town's charm. Attending this festival means immersing oneself in a dazzling realm of colorful lanterns and partaking in the tradition of releasing flower lanterns onto the Hoai River, symbolizing wishes for luck and good health.

For couples visiting Hoi An, releasing lanterns holds an additional significance of praying for enduring love. Engaging in this ritual amidst the festival's ambiance allows for the enjoyment of a warm atmosphere and the opportunity to capture enchanting, poetic photos illuminated by the soft glow of lantern light. It's an experience that not only enriches the soul but also creates lasting memories of love and serenity amidst the beauty of Hoi An's ancient streets.

2. The Nguyen Tieu Tet Festival: A Celebration of Peace and Prosperity

Tet Nguyen Tieu is a festival that takes place on the full moon day of January every year, with the meaning of wishing for a peaceful new year. Besides, people also believe that Tet Nguyen Tieu is the day when superiors bestow blessings on people. with everyone.

During the Lunar New Year, people will organize rituals to worship, relieve drought, and pray for peace, in addition to extremely interesting festival activities such as blindfolded drumming and folk games for children. held all day in the walking area of ​​Hoi An ancient town will certainly attract many tourists to participate when traveling to Hoi An at this time.

3. 3. Hoi An Mid-Autumn Festival - Filled with lion dances, magical lanterns

The Mid-Autumn Festival observed on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, heralds the fullest moon of the year. In Hoi An, this festival is celebrated with a plethora of enchanting activities that enchant both locals and visitors alike. From lively lion and dragon dances to dazzling lantern parades, the streets of Hoi An come alive with vibrant energy and colorful displays.

One of the highlights of the festival is the tradition of enjoying mooncakes, delectable treats symbolizing reunion and prosperity. Families gather to share these sweet delicacies and bask in the warm glow of togetherness.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An is a time for families to come together, bond, and revel in the festive spirit. It's a joyous occasion where the community unites to celebrate the beauty of the full moon and the blessings of abundance and harmony.

4. The Traditional Vu Lan Festival in Hoi An

The Vu Lan Festival, also known as the Day of Filial Piety to Parents, is observed on the full moon day of the 7th lunar month. It holds significance in Hoi An and worldwide within the Vietnamese community.

Its origins trace back to historical records of Buddha aiding his disciple Muc Lien in rescuing his mother from demons on this auspicious day, thus giving rise to the Vu Lan Festival. This occasion allows children and grandchildren to express gratitude to their parents and grandparents for their immense sacrifices in bringing them into the world.

In Hoi An, the Vu Lan Festival is celebrated grandly, marked by the tradition of turning off electricity and releasing lanterns precisely at 7 p.m. This creates a stunning and serene ambiance throughout the ancient town. For Vietnamese people, especially those in Hoi An, the Vu Lan Festival holds profound significance, symbolizing the importance of cherishing familial bonds and expressing gratitude towards women.

5. Lady Thu Bon festival - Celebrating the River Goddess in Hoi An

Lady Thu Bon's ceremony occurs every year on the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month, mainly hosted in Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province.

In Hoi An, the celebration of Lady Thu Bon is marked by traditional activities such as cake-making contests, singing exchanges, human chess, tug-of-war, and more, drawing numerous tourists to partake in folk games throughout the festival. The event is dedicated to honoring Lady Thu Bon, a Cham native, and her contributions to the community - who brought agriculture, fishing, and prosperity to the locals, making life easier for them.

6. The Festival of Lady Thien Hau- Paying Tribute to the Guardian Deity of Fishermen and Merchants.

The Festival of Lady Thien Hau originates from China and is one of the major festivals in Hội An, occurring on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month annually. It serves as a tribute and expression of gratitude to Thiên Hậu, who is believed to have bestowed favorable weather upon maritime traders, ensuring smooth voyages and prosperous business for the year. During the festival, the master of ceremonies delivers speeches in Chinese extolling Thiên Hậu's benevolence towards the people. Additionally, there are vibrant activities including lion dances, cultural performances, fortune-telling, and more. The festival is held at the Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall, built by the Chinese and now a unique tourist attraction in Hội An.

During the festival, the master of ceremonies delivers speeches in Chinese extolling Thiên Hậu's benevolence towards the people. Additionally, there are vibrant activities including lion dances, cultural performances, fortune-telling, and more. The festival is held at the Phúc Kiến Assembly Hall, built by the Chinese and now a unique tourist attraction in Hội An.

7. The "Lễ tế cá Ông" festival

The "Lễ tế cá Ông" festival, translated as the Ceremony of Whale Worship is considered one of the largest and most traditional festivals in Hội An, taking place in the middle of the third lunar month each year.

This ceremony holds significant meaning, particularly for the fishing communities. Its purpose is to express gratitude to the whales for bringing abundant catches and ensuring safe voyages for fishermen with calm seas.

During the Whale Worship ceremony, offerings are made (without the use of seafood), boats are adorned with brightly lit lanterns, and rituals are held throughout the night, culminating in a procession of boats on the sea at dawn.

Tourists visiting Hội An during this time have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sacred and lively atmosphere by participating in the festival alongside local fishermen.

8. Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival

Thanh Ha Pottery Village is one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Hội An, and the Thanh Ha Pottery Village Festival is the annual memorial ceremony held on the 10th day of the 7th lunar month to honor the generations of pottery craftsmen who have contributed to building the village's craft since the 16th century.

The festival is not only a celebration of cultural beauty but also serves as an educational platform to instill the importance of preserving this cherished tradition for future generations. Particularly for independent travelers visiting Hội An, attending the Thanh Ha pottery village festival offers the opportunity to witness the procession of the village deity through the village streets from the Nam Dieu temple to the Thanh Chiem palace for ceremonial offerings.

Additionally, festival activities such as lion dances, cultural performances, and participation in traditional pottery games are lively and captivating, attracting thousands of tourists to join in the festivities.

9. The Cau Bong Festival

As one of the famous festivals in Hội An, the Cau Bong festival is a unique event held on the 7th day of the 1st lunar month, providing a special occasion for the locals to express gratitude to their ancestors who established the Tra Que vegetable village, which has a history dating back 400 years.

Participating in the Cau Bong festival, tourists have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the role of real vegetable farmers, engaging in activities such as planting, and harvesting vegetables.

Additionally, the festival is a chance for housewives to showcase their culinary skills through decorating and arranging vegetables according to different themes in annual competitions.

The Cau Bong festival is a prominent cultural feature of Hội An and serves as a bridge connecting locals and tourists, fostering closer relationships between them.

10. The Long Chu Procession – Hoi An Festival

The Long Chu procession, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is one of the renowned festivals in Hội An. Legend has it that dragon boats were exclusively reserved for kings, lords, and generals to use during processions in feudal times.

The Long Chu procession symbolizes escorting the king to ward off evil spirits and protect the people's peace and happiness. Elaborate dragon boats are meticulously crafted from bamboo and adorned with dragon heads and tails at both ends. Human figures are attached along with flags, then the dragon boat is mounted onto a ship.

 The beauty of the Long Chu depends on the skillful hands of artisans who create it, usually carried out by experienced and skilled craftsmen. According to the travel experiences of many visitors to Hội An, the Long Chu procession takes place twice a year, on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month and the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, as these periods mark the intersection of spiritual factors.

This festival is presided over by sorcerers, while locals burn incense and wait for the Long Chu procession to arrive, then pull a lucky charm to hang in front of their homes to ward off evil spirits. It's a fascinating spiritual festival that you should experience when visiting Hội An.

We hope the information above will be helpful for your trip to Hoi An! Whether you're planning to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the local festivals, explore the cultural richness of the ancient town, or simply savor the culinary delights of Hoi An, we trust that you'll have an amazing experience. If you have any further questions or need assistance with your travel plans, feel free to ask. Safe travels and enjoy your time in Hoi An!