Ho Chi Minh City is not only known for its commercial centers and famous tourist destinations but also as a city with many culturally significant festivals. These festivals take place annually and attract the interest of both locals and tourists. In this article, let's explore the distinctive and famous festivals of Ho Chi Minh City together with Visithcmc.

1. Ong Dia Temple Festival

Ong Dia Temple is dedicated to the Earth God, the deity responsible for governing and protecting the land, ensuring prosperity for the people. Built in the early 19th century, the temple was bestowed with royal recognition by King Tu Duc in 1852. The Ong Dia Temple Festival is held annually on the 2nd day of the lunar calendar, honoring the Earth God and other deities. This festival is a significant representation of celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces in the Southern region. Each year on this day, dignitaries from all over gather to participate in the festival.

The Ong Dia Temple Festival is a grand event, featuring unique cultural and religious activities. The festival begins with the "Opening Drum" ritual, announcing the start of the ceremony. This is followed by the "Buffalo Offering" with traditional singing to invite the deities to the ceremony. The highlight is the comedic traditional opera "Dia Nang," featuring the characters Ong Dia and the Fairy, critiquing vices and bad habits in ancient village society. After the performance, there is a dance with gold and silver trays, and a performance of traditional toys by folk artisans. The festival concludes with a ritual to bring luck to the participants.

Details:

• Festival Date: 2nd day of the lunar calendar every year.

• Location: 125 Le Loi, Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City

2. Kim Hoan Ancestor Worship Festival

The Kim Hoan Ancestor Worship Festival is a large-scale event that attracts numerous artisans from the jewelry profession, not only from Ho Chi Minh City but also from the Southern provinces. The festival takes place at the Le Chau Assembly Hall, the ancestral temple for silversmiths in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Kim Hoan Ancestor Worship Festival is held from the 6th to the 8th day of the lunar calendar every year. The opening ceremony on the evening of the 6th day includes the ritual of offering prayers for national peace, reading the royal recognition of the Vietnamese silversmith ancestor conferred by the Nguyen Dynasty kings for those attending the festival, especially those in the jewelry profession. On the 7th day, the main festival day, there are ceremonies for the "Offering" according to traditional rituals. The first offering is dedicated to Chau Minh at 8 am to welcome the ancestral masters. The second offering is the Main Ceremony for the ancestral masters from 10 pm to midnight. The third offering takes place at 4 pm on the 8th day, honoring those who contributed to the construction of the Le Chau Assembly Hall.

Participants on the evening of the 7th also enjoy cultural programs performed by cai luong artists and jewelers. During the festival, the Le Chau Assembly Hall is beautifully decorated with candles and incense, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Details:

• Festival Date: 6th - 8th day of the lunar calendar every year.

• Location: Le Chau Assembly Hall, 586 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 14, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Ky Yen Dinh Binh Dong Festival

Binh Dong Temple is situated on a small island at the branch of the Doi Canal in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. According to local legends, the area was sparsely populated and facing economic difficulties. One day, someone found a piece of wood drifting in the canal, believed to belong to a high-ranking official who had encountered an accident. The locals brought the wood ashore, worshipped it, and, surprisingly, the land became fertile. The people prospered, leading to the construction of the present temple. The main altar always has new pieces of wood offered by the villagers, showing their devotion until now. Binh Dong Temple is one of the two most visited temples in the city.

Every year, on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month, Binh Dong Temple organizes the Ky Yen Festival, attracting people from Cho Lon in Ho Chi Minh City and tourists from the Mekong Delta provinces. Especially, neighboring villages in Long An also send delegations to participate in the festival. Ky Yen Festival follows a specific ritual: the festival begins with the Offering of the Drum to announce the ceremony. Next is the "Buffalo Offering" with a traditional singing performance to invite the deities. The indispensable cai luong comedy play "Dia Nang" with the characters Ong Dia and the Fairy is performed to criticize vices and bad habits in the ancient village society. After the play, there is a dance with gold and silver trays and a performance of toys by folk artisans. Finally, the festival concludes with a ritual to bring luck to the participants.

Details:

• Festival Date: 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month every year.

• Location: Binh Dong Temple, Binh Dong Wharf, Ward 15, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City.

4. Phan Cong Hon Temple Festival

Every year on the 25th of the 2nd lunar month, the Phan Cong Hon Temple in Bà Điểm commune, Hóc Môn district, Ho Chi Minh City, hosts a commemorative ceremony for Mr. Phan Cong Hon. The ceremony follows traditional rituals to honor this heroic figure who led the people of 18 villages in Vườn Trầu, initiating an attack on the district's administrative center in the spring of 1885 in Bà Điểm, Hóc Môn. He sacrificed himself to save the people from oppression.

The Phan Cong Hon Temple Festival is organized with a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Attendees include not only local residents of Bà Điểm commune but also many distant travelers who join the ceremony to remember and show gratitude to Mr. Phan Cong Hon.

Details:

• Festival Date: 25th of the 2nd lunar month every year.

• Location: Phan Cong Hon Temple, Bà Điểm Commune, Hóc Môn District, Ho Chi Minh City.

5. Ba Thien Hau Temple Festival

Ba Thien Hau Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Ho Chi Minh City, holds significant spiritual influence on the lives of the Chinese community. The Ba Thien Hau Temple Festival is a representative celebration for the Chinese people, venerating Ba Thien Hau, the goddess who protects land and people in Chợ Lớn (Chinatown).

The festival, starting on the night of the 22nd and continuing on the 23rd of the 3rd lunar month, involves a ritual bath for Ba Thien Hau. On the morning of the 23rd, a procession with the statue of Ba Thien Hau takes place, accompanied by young people parading through the streets around the temple. The festive atmosphere includes dragon and lion dances, traditional music performances, and more, creating a lively scene in the Chinese neighborhoods. During the festival, people from various backgrounds come to participate, seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and success.

Details:

• Festival Date: 23rd of the 3rd lunar month every year.

• Location: Ba Thien Hau Temple, 710 Nguyễn Trãi, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

6. Khai Ha - Cau An Lang Ong Ba Chieu Festival

Lang Ong Ba Chieu is the largest cultural and spiritual landmark in Saigon, honoring General Lê Văn Duyệt, the guardian of Gia Định fortress from ancient times. The Khai Ha - Cau An Lang Ong Ba Chieu Festival takes place annually on the 7th of the 1st lunar month.

The festival follows imperial rituals, including lowering and raising flags, opening a pen, writing, and sealing. Divided into various sections such as lowering the offering tray, opening the pen, writing, and sealing, the ceremony adheres to Nguyen Dynasty court rituals. This festival is essential in Southern cultural activities, seeking good weather and prosperity for the new fishing season. Dynamic traditional performances, including San Hau operas, Ngoc Quynh Lâm Tế, and Thần Nữ Dâng Ngũ Linh Kỳ, contribute to the vibrant atmosphere. The festival holds cultural significance and is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Lễ hội Khai hạ - Cầu an Lăng Ông Bà Chiểu được công nhận là di sản văn hóa phi vật thể quốc gia. Ngoài ra Lăng Ông Bà Chiểu cũng là nơi để mọi người đến cầu bình an, sức khỏe, tài lộc và cầu tình duyên được thuận lợi. . 

Details:

• Festival Date: 7th of the 1st lunar month every year.

• Location: Lang Ong, 126 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Ward 1, Bình Thạnh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

7. Ong Bon Festival

Ong Bon Temple is located in District 5 within the Chinese community area, and it is one of the oldest temples with a rich history. Ong Bon Temple hosts several festivals throughout the year, but the two most significant ones occur on the 1st and 15th of the 1st lunar month.

On these days, the temple attracts numerous locals and visitors, both Chinese and Vietnamese, who come to participate in the festive atmosphere. The ceremonies involve traditional rituals, offerings, and cultural performances. Notably, on the 15th of the 1st lunar month, the festival includes a procession of the deity's statue around the streets, featuring dragon and lion dances. People believe that attending these festivals brings luck, prosperity, and protection from evil spirits.

Details:

• Festival Dates: 1st and 15th of the 1st lunar month every year.

• Location: Ong Bon Temple, 264 Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.

8. Nghinh Ong Festival

Mentioning famous festivals in Ho Chi Minh City, the Nghinh Ong Festival is a highlight, also known as the Whale Worshiping Festival. The festival pays homage to the "Whale" as a guardian deity of fishermen and other sea-related occupations.

Held on the 15th to the 17th of the 8th lunar month in Cần Giờ district, the festival sees hundreds of decorated boats with colorful flags and banners sailing out to sea for the ritual ceremony. This event serves as an occasion for fishermen to express gratitude, pray for safety and success in their maritime endeavors. The festival combines religious and cultural elements, making it a significant event in the coastal areas.

Details:

• Festival Dates: 15th to 17th of the 8th lunar month every year.

• Location: Cần Thạnh Commune, Cần Giờ District, Ho Chi Minh City.

9. Ky Yen Dinh Truong Tho Festival

The Ky Yen Dinh Truong Tho Festival is celebrated at the Truong Tho Communal House, a center of spiritual activities for residents of Thủ Đức district. Taking place on the 16th and 17th of the 2nd lunar month, this festival is the most prominent among the various events hosted at the communal house.

The festival is a prayer for peace and favorable weather. It involves honoring the Thành Hoàng village and ancestral deities, seeking prosperity in agriculture. The Ky Yen Festival distinguishes itself by not featuring traditional Vietnamese opera and avoiding digging graves, differing from many other festivals in Southern Vietnam. Besides the customary rituals, such as offering wine, and students reciting scriptures, the festival includes a live pig as part of the offerings.

Details:

• Festival Dates: 16th and 17th of the 2nd lunar month every year.

• Location: Trường Thọ Ward, Thủ Đức District, Ho Chi Minh City.

10. Phuoc Hai (Ngoc Hoang) Temple Festival

Phuoc Hai Temple, also known as Ngoc Hoang Temple, is one of the revered spiritual places in Ho Chi Minh City. Beyond serving as a site for peace and health prayers, the temple is a venue for those seeking blessings for love and fertility. The temple attracts numerous local residents and visitors each year.

Phuoc Hai Temple hosts several festival days, especially on full moon days, the first day of the lunar month, and notable full moon days such as the 15th of the first lunar month, the 15th of the seventh lunar month, or the 15th of the tenth lunar month. On these days, many tourists come to participate in the temple festivities. Particularly, during the Ngoc Hoang Ceremony on the 9th day of the first lunar month, the grandest festival takes place, drawing tens of thousands of people to attend. During this event, on the evening of the 8th day of the lunar month, the head monk of Phuoc Hai Temple organizes a prayer session. Moving into the 9th day, it becomes a day for visitors, including both the local Chinese and Vietnamese residents of the city, as well as tourists from other provinces, to come and pay their respects. People seek blessings for peace, health, and hope for smooth and successful endeavors in the coming year.

Details:

• Festival Dates: 9th day of the first lunar month annually.

• Location: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The compilation of these renowned festivals in Ho Chi Minh City offers visitors unique and unforgettable experiences, showcasing the cultural beauty and traditions of the Vietnamese people and the Southern region. We hope this article provides you with useful information to choose the most suitable festival to join in."