TOP 5 Unique Festivals in Ha Nam that you should join

Ha Nam is not only famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes but also a place that preserves many traditional festivals reflecting its unique cultural identity. Let's explore the TOP 5 unique festivals in Ha Nam that you should not miss on this journey with Tien Loc Palace Hotel.

1. Lieu Doi Wrestling Festival

Amidst the serene scenery of Ha Nam's countryside, the Lieu Doi Wrestling Festival is like a proud song about the martial arts tradition here. Taking place from the 5th to the 10th of the Lunar New Year in Lieu Doi village, Liem Tuc commune, Thanh Liem district, the festival is not only a wrestling arena gathering top martial artists but also preserving a unique cultural heritage of Ha Nam land.

In Lieu Doi, not only boys participate in the main festival. Women also take part in competing in martial arts such as fist, sword, staff, and saber to demonstrate their martial arts prowess, no less than any man. Besides wrestling, the festival also attracts a large audience with culinary activities and competitions for making local specialties.

A unique feature of the Lieu Doi Wrestling Festival is the "Tram Tu" ritual - the tradition of cutting words, held on the 30th night of the Lunar New Year at Ba Cha Pagoda. According to legend, during the Tran dynasty, a general gave the "Vo Tran" martial arts book to five villages in Lieu Doi, demanding that the people memorize it. On New Year's Eve, the village patriarchs would bring swords to cut the first word of the book written on paper, then memorize that part for the year. Although the ritual is no longer practiced, it has ingrained the persistent martial spirit of the local people.

With such unique cultural values, the Lieu Doi Wrestling Festival is not only a day for wrestlers to showcase their strength but also to honor the heroic martial arts tradition of a land rich in fortitude. If you have a chance to visit Ha Nam at the beginning of the new year, don't miss the opportunity to witness this unique festival and feel the martial spirit of the Lieu Doi land.

2. Tịch Điền (Ploughing) Festival

The Tịch Điền Đọi Sơn Festival is an ancient traditional ritual closely associated with agriculture and Vietnamese ethnic culture. This festival originated from the time of the Hung Kings, initiated by King Tần Nông, with the meaning of praying for favorable weather, good crops, and an abundant harvest. It is also a beautiful cultural feature, expressing gratitude to the land and sky, connecting people with their roots, and encouraging agricultural development.
In the Ha Nam land, the Tịch Điền Festival dates back to the 10th century, initiated by King Lê Đại Hành - a son of this land. According to legend, in 987, the king and his mandarins plowed the Đọi Sơn field and unexpectedly found a golden jar, and the following year they found a silver jar in Ban Hai. Since then, the Tịch Điền Festival became an annual ritual of the feudal dynasties, with the kings personally plowing the fields, praying for a bumper crop. During the Nguyen Dynasty, the festival was organized on a larger scale with specific regulations, but it was later interrupted.

After many years of being lost, the Tịch Điền Đọi Sơn Festival was revived in 2009 in Tien Son commune, Duy Tien town, Ha Nam province. The festival lasts 3 days from the 5th to the 7th day of the Lunar New Year with many activities such as the procession of King Le's incense burner, the water procession ceremony, the purification ritual, etc. Notably, the ploughing ritual is re-enacted with solemn ceremonies: King Lê Đại Hành plows 3 furrows, the Ha Nam provincial leaders plow 5 furrows, the district leaders plow 7 furrows, and the commune leaders and village elders plow 9 furrows. Additionally, there is a buffalo decoration contest with the four sacred animal symbols, as well as traditional wrestling matches.

The Tịch Điền Đọi Sơn Festival not only carries profound cultural significance but also serves as an opportunity to promote the tourism potential of the Duy Tien - Ha Nam land with many scenic spots such as Long Đọi Sơn Pagoda. It is an occasion for every Vietnamese to look back on the tradition of hard work, honor agriculture, and promote the spirit of love for the homeland and country.

3. Lang Dau Village Festival

Lang Dau was originally called Co Doi Village, belonging to Co Tho Commune, Binh Luc District. After the establishment of Ha Nam Province in 1890, it was renamed My Doi Village, My Tho Commune, Binh Luc District. On the 14th day of the first lunar month every year, when the new spring season arrives, Lang Dau Village celebrates its largest traditional festival - the Festival of Attacking the Ming Invaders' Camp. This is an occasion for locals to commemorate and honor the great merits of the three heroic sisters A Dao, Nguyen Phuong, and Nguyen Que, along with the talented generals Bui Cong Minh and Bui Cong Bang – those who bravely stood up to fight against the Ming invaders during the difficult period of the country.

In a solemn annual atmosphere, the Lang Dau villagers re-enact the heroic history with colorful and meaningful activities. Early in the morning, the elders carry incense burners and palanquins from small temples to the communal house to open the festival. Then, the militia forces are divided into three regiments to attack from three directions, while the Ming invaders are stationed in separate camps. When night falls, the whole village turns off lights and prohibits fires, while the regiments secretly approach and simultaneously attack. The battle lasts throughout the night from the 14th to the 15th. After victory, the militia forces joyfully drag the enemy's corpses out of the village and then return to the communal house yard to hold a victory celebration.

Every three years, the Lang Dau villagers also organize a procession to exchange greetings with Tien Ly Village – the maternal homeland of the three sisters A Dao. For three days, the palanquins are carried back and forth between the two villages, with rituals, folk singing, lion and dragon dances, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. Additionally, the Lang Dau Festival features various folk cultural activities such as wrestling, cockfighting, tug-of-war, blindfolded clay pot smashing, and more.

The Festival of Attacking the Ming Invaders' Camp in Lang Dau Village is not only an occasion to commemorate the merits of heroic ancestors but also an opportunity to educate the younger generation about the tradition of patriotism and revolution, as well as for those living away from their homeland to return and reunite with their families and pay tribute to their ancestors.

4. Kite Flying Festival

The kite flying competition in Dai Hoang Village, Hoa Hau Commune, Ly Nhan District, Ha Nam is a long-standing traditional festival held annually on the 15th day of the 5th lunar month. It is a unique cultural event that expresses the desire for an abundant harvest and peace.
The area for kite flying includes the inner, outer, and central communal houses, located next to a fish pond, lotus pond, and vast fields. This location is advantageous for kites to soar following the southeastern wind, creating a lively and beautiful scene like a flock of birds returning to their nests.

The village elders participate in the competition with their own kite models, skillfully made from bamboo, paper, plastic, and silk threads. The slender and streamlined shape of Dai Hoang kites gracefully gliding in the sky creates an elegant and powerful beauty.

In a solemn atmosphere, the competitors showcase their skills in controlling the kites in intense rounds of competition. When the kites reach a sufficient height, the competitors allow their kites to engage in kite fighting by entangling their lines to determine the superior kite. Finally, the kites are commanded to land elegantly like an arrow piercing straight into the ground.

The Dai Hoang Kite Flying Festival not only carries a strong traditional cultural identity but also fosters community bonding, bringing joy and excitement to locals and visitors alike. It is truly a unique festival that enriches the colorful cultural tapestry of the Ha Nam land.
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5. Lanh Giang Temple Festival

Lanh Giang Temple is located in Yen Lac hamlet, Moc Nam commune, Duy Tien district, a unique cultural and spiritual relic of Ha Nam land. The temple worships the Three Great Kings during the Hung King period who fought against the Thuc invaders, along with Princess Tien Dung - a deity who has been venerated since ancient times.

Every year, Lanh Giang Temple organizes two major festivals in the 6th and 8th lunar months. The 6th month festival takes place from the 18th to the 25th, with many traditional rituals such as offering ceremonies, palanquin processions, and various folk cultural activities like dragon dances, lion dances, chau van singing, wrestling, and human chess.

Notably, this festival also includes a ritual of fetching water from the middle of the Red River for offering and bathing the deity statues. This ritual not only expresses the wish for favorable weather conditions but also reflects the aspiration of conquering nature by the local people. The deities worshipped at Lanh Giang Temple are originally water deities, closely associated with rivers and the lives of the ancient Red River dwellers.

The 8th month festival is held on the 20th day, with a procession carrying Princess Ngoc Hoa's palanquin from Yen Tu Temple to pay homage at Lanh Giang Temple. These two festivals attract not only numerous locals but also visitors from all over to pay respect, pray for luck, and make offerings.

With its beautiful landscape, spiritual values, and unique traditional festivals, Lanh Giang Temple is truly an attractive destination, contributing to the rich and colorful cultural tapestry of Ha Nam land.

When visiting Ha Nam, tourists will not only be able to admire the beautiful scenery of the peaceful countryside but also participate in the cultural festivals of the local people. If you come to Ha Nam and need a place to rest with full amenities, convenient for joining the festivals, Tien Loc Palace Hotel is an excellent choice.

With the 5 suggestions about unique festivals in Ha Nam shared above by Tien Loc Palace Hotel, we hope this article will provide you with more experience to explore the unique festivals in the Ha Nam countryside for your upcoming trip. We wish you a pleasant journey and the most enjoyable experiences.

For any inquiries about the festivals or to learn more about Tien Loc Palace Hotel, please feel free to contact:

Tien Loc Palace Hotel
Address: TS Khu 4, Thanh Chau Ward, Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province
Phone: 02263 825555
Fax: 02263 825555
HOTLINE 0986 074 989 - 0334.025.666
Email: tienlocpalace@tienlocgroup.com
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