Celebrated annually between the 8th day of the Lunar New Year, the festival is a religious ritual dedicated to the god of agriculture to receive his blessing for verdant crops and prosperity for villagers throughout the year.

Leaders of Chiem Hoa District, Tuyen Quang Province, beat drums to open the festival.

The annual event begins with a parade of nine trays of local specialties as an offering to gods to thank them for good crops and hopes for a prosperous and peaceful time ahead in the New Year.

It was followed by a lion dance, performed by youngsters, a Tich Dien (ploughing) ceremony, and folk games such as tug of war, stick pushing, and cloth ball throwing.

The Tay ethnic group in Tuyen Quang Province has more than 215,000 people, accounting for nearly 27% of the province's population.

Long Tong is a typical festival of the Tay people in Tuyen Quang Province, recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage and has become a unique tourist product during each Tet and Spring season.

Xuong Giang festival recognized as national intangible cultural heritage

BAC GIANG - On February 14 evening (the 5th day of the first lunar month), the municipal Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Fatherland Front Committee of Bac Giang city solemnly organised the festival marking the 597th anniversary of the Xuong Giang Victory and announcing the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognising the Xuong Giang Festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

State President launches New Year tree planting festival in Tuyen Quang

State President Vo Van Thuong launched a New Year tree planting festival in Tuyen Quang city of the province of the same name on February 15, or the sixth day of the first lunar month.

Huong Pagoda Festival hosts 30,000 visitors on opening day

The Huong Pagoda Festival, the longest of its kind in Vietnam, began in Huong Son commune in Hanoi’s outlying district of My Duc on February 15 (the 6th day of the first lunar month), welcoming 30,000 visitors.

Vietnamese Tet Festival in the hearts of foreign friends

“When in Vietnam, do as the Vietnamese do” — that saying is true for many foreigners who are working in the cultural sector in Vietnam. They have served as a “bridge” connecting Vietnam with other foreign countries, and have gradually immersed themselves in the traditional life and customs of the Vietnam people during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Spring flower festival opens in Ho Chi Minh City

The 44th spring flower festival kicked off at Tao Dan Park in Ho Chi Minh City on February 6 evening as part of the activities to welcome the Lunar New Year (Tet) – the biggest and oldest festival in Vietnam.

Source: NDO