Local Interest
Pilgrimage to the LIM FESTIVAL 9th February 2017
“ My friend , please stay here , do not return home . When doing so , you make me weep silently . The two flaps of my dress will be soaked with tears ...” are the so beautiful words of a popular Quan Ho song named “ Goodbye ” ( or “ Gia ban ” in Vietnamese ), that makes Lim Festival so meaningful .
The Lim Festival is organized in Lim village , located 18 km from Hanoi , where Quan Ho , the special folk song is performed . It takes place every year on 13th day of the 1st lunar month . Tens of thousands of visitors come here to enjoy the dialogues performances between “ lien anh " ( male singers ) and " lien chi " ( female singers ), the country ' s most skilled Quan Ho singers . These are male and female farmers who sing different types of songs in the pagodas , on the hills , and in the boats . Besides this , visitors can come to the Lim Festival to enjoy the weaving competition of the Noi Due girls . They weave and sing Quan Ho songs at the same time . Like other religious festivals , the Lim Festival goes through all the ritual stages , from the procession to the worshipping ceremony , and includes other activities .
The Lim Festival is a special cultural activity in the North . The festival celebrates the " Quan Ho " folk song which has become a part of the national culture and a typical folk song that is well loved in the Red River Delta region . In addition to Quan Ho folk song performances , village festivals also involve many other traditional games and entertainments , contests , fairs and cultural activities , such as human chess , water puppetry , lion dances , swinging , wrestling , cock-fighting and more . It is also a traditional opportunity for young men and women to seek life partners . Young men and women who want to find their partners often come up hill to sing . There men hold umbrellas while women are wearing flat palm hats , without concern about the sun or rain . Sometimes they can even sing all night to show their love , ebullient passion and grace . Besides , visitors can come to the Lim Festival to enjoy the weaving competition of the Noi Due girls . They weave and sing Quan Ho songs at the same time .
YEN TU FESTIVAL 28 Feb 2017 - 31 Mar 2017
Yen Tu is a sacred site for the Buddhist sect of Truc Lam . Yen Tu Mountain is located within a spectacular mountain range in Quang Ninh Province in north eastern Vietnam . Thousands of pilgrims yearly flock to the base of Yen Tu Mountain and begin their journey to the Dong Pagoda , which is located 1,068 meters above sea level . Surrounded by picturesque scenery , Yen Tu is a focal point for Buddhists in Vietnam and contains 11 pagodas and hundreds of shrines and towers .
During the festival , the people near and far flock to Yen Tu which was regarded as the Buddhist land to show their belief and aspiration or to get rid of all sorrows and sadness . Other go to Yen Tu to do sightseeing and to enjoy the pure atmosphere of a mountain region . Foreign visitors come to Yen Tu to witness a famous beauty spot , a mysterious tourist attraction . Many cultural and historical values are carefully preserved in Yen Tu , where is also home to a rare ecosystem in Vietnam .
The MAG Vung Tau 23