Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan)
The Lunar New Year, commonly referred to as Tet, is the most significant festival in Vietnam, and Ha Giang is no exception. Celebrated between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar, the festival is a time for family reunions and ancestral worship. Locals prepare special foods like “banh chung” (sticky rice cake) and decorate their homes with peach blossoms, while lion dances and firecrackers fill the streets with excitement.
Khau Vai Love Market
Taking place annually on the 26th and 27th of the third lunar month, the Khau Vai Love Market is a unique event that has its roots in a local love story. Couples from various ethnic groups gather to meet and interact, often dressed in their most vibrant traditional attire. The festival is not just for couples, as there are also myriad activities, games, and food stalls to enjoy.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark Cultural Days
Held every year in the second or third quarter, this event aims to celebrate the geopark’s natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Activities include seminars, hiking tours, and traditional performances from the 17 different ethnic groups that inhabit the plateau.
Buckwheat Flower Festival
The Buckwheat Flower Festival celebrates the flowering of the iconic buckwheat plant, which paints the region in lovely shades of pink and white. Usually held in November, the festival is a photographer’s dream, offering plenty of opportunities for breathtaking landscape shots.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a family event that takes place during a full moon in late September or early October. The festival is known for its mooncakes, lantern parades, and dragon dances. In Ha Giang, the festival also includes traditional games and local music performances.
Independence Day Celebrations
On September 2nd, Vietnam celebrates its Independence Day, and Ha Giang takes part with various activities, including parades, speeches, and fireworks. It’s a great day to experience the patriotic spirit of the locals.
Gau Tao Festival of the H’mong People
Taking place after the Lunar New Year, the Gau Tao festival is celebrated mainly by the H’mong community. The festival aims to express gratitude to the gods for a fruitful harvest and a prosperous life. Activities include traditional games, dances, and performances that each have their own specific spiritual meaning.
Long Tong Festival of the Tay People
Held annually in February or March, the Long Tong (“Going to the Field”) Festival of the Tay people is a fascinating agricultural ritual aimed at praying for abundant crops. The community gathers in a chosen field to offer prayers, after which games and various performances ensue, including the traditional “Con” ball throwing game.
Du Stem Festival of the Nung People
The Du Stem Festival is celebrated by the Nung people and is dedicated to the gods of agriculture, with the hope of a bountiful harvest. The festival, held in October, includes the sacrifice of a water buffalo and communal activities like singing and dancing.
Cap Sac Ritual of the Dao People
The Cap Sac ritual is a significant rite of passage for Dao men, usually conducted between the ages of 12 and 20. It’s a complex ceremony that involves several rituals to mark the transition from adolescence to adulthood, and it’s a fascinating event to witness if you get the chance.
Pa Then Fire Dancing Festival
The Pa Then ethnic group celebrates this unique festival between the 11th and 12th lunar months. The highlight of the festival is a fire dance, where dancers walk barefoot on burning coals to the rhythm of drums. The dance is believed to dispel the darkness of winter and invite favorable conditions for the coming year.
