Local Interest
DONG TIEN FESTIVAL 5th February 2017
Dong Tien Festival takes place annually on the 9th day of Lunar New Year in Ham Yen , Tuyen Quang province , Northern Vietnam . Dong Tien festival is held with a hope of a favourable new year , prosperity , good harvests for all . The Festival is also a valuable occasion to introduce traditional agricultural products of the locality .
Dong Tien is located in Thong Nhat Village 2 , Yen Phu Commune , Ham Yen District . It is charming scenery with various interesting caves . Paying visit to such place , visitors will have chances to discover mystery and imposingness of forests , and to be told a moving love story between the seventh fairy and an orphan fellow . After the sightseeing of caves , visitors can enjoy special cultural activities provided by residents in Ham Yen District indicated in traditional sacrifice customs , and passionate pan-pipe tune made by H ’ Mong people . In addition , they can also wallow in glistening candle light in “ Street Gala Dinner ” or folk games such as tug of war , strong and impressive buffalo competition , etc .
CAU NGU FESTIVAL 8th February 2017
The traditional festival Cau Ngu is unique and imbrued with the cultural identity of coastal community . The fishermen here consider the whale , a giant yet nice creature , as the companion of seafarers in their voyages , on the vast ocean full of danger . To these people ' s mind , the whale is not just a normal kind of mammal , but Sir Nam Hai-they are sanctified .
The village where the whales ’ bodies drifted onto the beach , build up a temple to properly venerate them , called Nam Hai Whale Temple ( Lang Ong Nam Hai ). That is the origin of Cau Ngu , a festival that has gone through a long history and become an important spiritual activity .
The festival starts with solemn ritual ceremonies , in which elders hold a palanquin procession from villages to villages , displaying fishermen ’ s union and expressing gratitude towards their ancestors and guardians . According to fishermen ’ s belief , if they put much thought into the rituals , celebrate them with huge reverence , they will be guaranteed a life with safe and sound sea journeys , great fishing results , and full of wealth and comfort .
Apart from the worshipping ceremony , Cau Ngu is about vibrant traditional games which well presents culture in the central coast of Vietnam , including fish-catching , net-casting , and raw fish games . Music is also an indispensable part of the festival , with “ Boi ” singing is performed .
22 The MAG Vung Tau