Festivals in Ninh Bình

Ninh Bình is a land that possesses a large number of heritage sites, with more than 5,000 various types of relics, including 10 special national relics, 265 national-level relics, 784 provincial-level relics, and dozens of national treasures and groups of national treasures. Associated with these relics are traditional festivals that are held annually.

Ninh Bình is a land rich in unique cultural festivals such as the Hoa Lư Festival, Bái Đính Pagoda Festival, Tam Chúc Pagoda Festival, Tịch điền Đọi Sơn Festival, Trần Temple Festival, Phủ Dầy Festival, Viềng Market Festival, Tràng An Festival, and more. Most of the cultural festivals in Ninh Bình take place during the spring season.

Many festivals in Ninh Bình have been inscribed in the list of national intangible cultural heritage, such as: Hoa Lư Festival, Bình Hải Village Festival, Báo Bản Festival of Nộn Khê Village, Thánh Nguyễn Temple Festival, Bánh dày Festival of Lục Giáp Communal House (đình), New Rice Festival of the Mường people, traditional wedding of the Mường people, Trần Thương Temple Festival, Lảnh Giang Temple Festival, Bà Vũ Temple Festival, Đọi Sơn Pagoda Festival, Bà Đanh Pagoda Festival, Tịch điền Đọi Sơn Festival, Liễu Đôi Wrestling Festival, Phủ Dầy Festival, Trần Temple Festival, and Keo Pagoda Festival in Hành Thiện.

Below is a list of some notable festivals, arranged in chronological order according to the lunar calendar:

Bái Đính Pagoda Festival, Tây Hoa Lư Ward: from the afternoon of the 1st day of Tet until the end of the 3rd lunar month, with the opening ceremony on the 6th day of the first lunar month, honouring the Buddhist tradition and the eminent figures Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Lý Quốc Sư, and the deity Cao Sơn.

Gừa Village Festival, Thanh Bình Commune, on the 4th day of the first lunar month, honours Trương Nguyên, a general of King Đinh Tiên Hoàng. The festival features the 'cướp cầu' (ball snatching) game and wrestling, recalling the military recruitment customs from the Đinh era.

Vật Communal House Festival, Bồ Vi Village, Yên Mô Commune, on the 4th day of Tet every year. The Bồ Vi Village Festival venerates Saint Nguyễn and the martial spirit of the people of Yên Mô.

Yên Vệ Village Festival, Đông Hoa Lư Ward, on the 4th day of the lunar new year, held at Thượng Temple worshipping Nguyễn Minh Không and at Phúc Long Pagoda worshipping Từ Đạo Hạnh, Nguyễn Minh Không, and Giác Hải.

Tiên Yên Temple and Kim Rong Pagoda Festival takes place on the 4th and 5th days of Tet in Tiên Yên Hamlet, Khánh Thiện Commune.

Ngọc Lâm Village Festival, Yên Mạc Commune, is held on the 5th day of Tet every year in Ngọc Lâm Village, with the unique feature of a flying palanquin procession.

Liễu Đôi Wrestling Festival, Thanh Bình Commune, from the 5th to the 10th day of the first lunar month, honours the martial spirit and the tradition of fighting foreign invaders. The highlight is the wrestling competition with unique traditional techniques, along with other cultural activities such as 'hát vè' and 'hát chèo' (folk singing).

Áp Lãng Temple Festival - Thần Phù Gate, Yên Mạc Commune, takes place on the 6th day of the lunar new year, commemorating the merits of Ấp Lãng Chân Nhân, who calmed the rough seas at the estuary during the Đinh, Lê, Lý, and Trần dynasties.

Giáp Nhất Temple Festival, Hiển Khánh Commune, takes place on the 6th and 7th days of the first lunar month to commemorate the female general Đào Quý Nương from the time of the Trưng Sisters. The festival includes folk games such as human chess, swing games, cooking competitions, etc.

Thổ Mật and Đức Hậu Village Festivals, Khánh Hồng Commune, take place on the 6th and 7th days of the first lunar month every year.

Tịch Điền Đọi Sơn Festival, Tiên Sơn Ward, takes place on the 6th day of the first lunar month every year at Đọi Sơn Mountain, where King Lê Đại Hành once came to plough the tịch điền field. The Tịch Điền Festival is a major event, rich in historical and cultural significance for the homeland of the Early Lê dynasty.

The Mường people's lowering of the cây nêu (New Year pole) in Cúc Phương Commune takes place on the 7th day of the first lunar month every year, marking the end of the Tet celebrations, with the pole being taken down after fulfilling its role of "driving away evil spirits and praying for peace" for the new year.

Viềng Market Festival in Nam Trực and Hiển Khánh Communes takes place on the 7th and 8th days of the first lunar month every year.

Chợ Palace Festival in the ancient village of Trường Yên, Tây Hoa Lư, on the 8th day of the first lunar month, honours Phạm Thị Trân, the founder of Vietnamese theatre, and Ngũ Lầu Đại Vương from the Đinh era.

Hành Cung Palace Festival in Hành Cung Street, Nam Hoa Lư Ward, on the 9th day of the first lunar month every year, with the participation of relics from the former Vũ Lâm district.

Năn Temple - Quảng Thượng Pagoda - Hầu Mountain Temple Festival in Quảng Thượng Village, Yên Thắng Ward, takes place on the 10th day of the first lunar month every year.

Hàng Tổng Communal House - Xanh Market Festival in Khánh Thiện Commune takes place on the 10th day of the first lunar month every year.

Hoa Lư Cave Festival is held at four locations: Trai Communal House, Hưng Quốc Pagoda, Thung Lau Cave, and Thung Lá Temple, all in Gia Hưng Commune, honouring King Đinh Tiên Hoàng.

Tam Chúc Spring Festival, Tam Chúc Ward, takes place from the 12th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the 3rd lunar month.

Báo Bản Làng Nộn Khê Festival in Yên Từ Commune, Yên Mô, on the 13th and 14th days of the first lunar month every year.

Hậu Trần Temple Festival, La Phù Hamlet, Yên Mạc Commune, takes place from the 13th to the 15th day of the first lunar month, commemorating two kings of the Later Trần dynasty: Giản Định Đế and Trùng Quang Đế.

Trần Temple Seal Opening Ceremony is held on the night of the 14th day of the first lunar month every year at the special relic site of Trần Temple - Phổ Minh Pagoda.

Mống Lá Communal House Festival, Mống Lá Pagoda, Nho Quan Commune, takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year at the communal house.

Dâu Temple Festival, Trung Sơn Ward, takes place from the 15th day of the first lunar month until the end of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Y Lư Temple Festival, Y Lư Hamlet, Nam Ninh Commune, takes place from the 8th to the 10th day of the 2nd lunar month, honouring Linh Lang Đại Vương.

Lạc Nhuế Communal House Festival in Lạc Nhuế Village, Lê Hồ Ward, takes place from the 9th to the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month, commemorating King Đinh Tiên Hoàng.

Phúc Lộc Village Communal House Festival, Nam Hoa Lư, takes place from the 9th to the 11th day of the 2nd lunar month, honouring the founder of the carpentry profession.

Bà Đanh Pagoda Festival, Đanh Xá Hamlet, Kim Bảng Ward, takes place from the 9th to the 11th day of the 2nd lunar month every year.

Đồi Ngang Palace Festival in Phú Long Commune is held from the 10th to the 20th day of the 2nd lunar month.

Xuân Vũ Village Festival in Nam Hoa Lư Ward on the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month every year.

Sầy Temple Festival in Thanh Sơn Commune is held on the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month.

Dâu Village Festival, at six temples in Mỹ Đôi Hamlet, Bình Mỹ Commune, takes place on the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month.

Như Độ Temple Festival in Quang Thiện Commune takes place on the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month in the years of the Rat, Horse, Cat, and Rooster.

Trương Family Church Festival in Thiên Tôn, Hoa Lư, takes place on the 19th day of the 2nd lunar month every year.

Cao Đà Communal House and Pagoda Festival in Nhân Hà Commune takes place on the 23rd and 24th days of the 2nd lunar month.

Dầu Pagoda Festival in Đông Hoa Lư Ward on the 29th day of the 2nd lunar month, lasting three days in the years of the Rat, Horse, Cat, and Rooster.

Phúc Hải Pagoda Festival in Kim Đệ Hamlet, Hải Anh Commune, takes place from the 1st to the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month.

Phủ Dầy Palace Festival in Vụ Bản Commune takes place from the 3rd to the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Thượng Thái Sơn Temple Festival in Tây Hoa Lư on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, venerating Princess Nhồi Hoa and the good traditions of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

Đá Temple Festival, Nam Hà Hamlet, Nam Hồng Commune, takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, honouring generals from the Hùng Kings era and the twelve founders of the twelve clans who established the village. The festival features competitions in making 'oản' (offering cakes), making cakes, cooking, selecting ceremonial areca nuts, and many fun activities such as stick dancing, dragon dancing, tug-of-war, wrestling, and stick fighting.

Đông Temple Festival in Quả Linh Hamlet, Trường Thi Ward, takes place from the 5th to the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month.

Địch Lộng Pagoda Festival, Gia Trấn Commune: 6th and 7th days of the 3rd lunar month.

Lăng Temple Festival, Cõi Village, Liêm Hà, takes place on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of the 3rd lunar month every year to commemorate the Đinh and Lê kings and their generals.

Hoa Lư Festival (Tây Hoa Lư): usually takes place on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th days of the 3rd lunar month at the Hoa Lư ancient capital festival square.

Thánh Nguyễn Temple Festival from the 8th to the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month at the Saint Nguyễn Temple relic, Đại Hoàng Commune. The festival honours Lý Quốc Sư Nguyễn Minh Không.

Quảng Phúc Temple Festival, Yên Mô Commune, from the 10th to the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month, commemorating the deities Cao Sơn and Quý Minh.

Khương Dụ Village Festival, Yên Mô Commune, takes place from the 10th to the 12th day of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Thái Vi Temple Festival (Nam Hoa Lư): from the 14th to the 16th day of the 3rd lunar month to commemorate the merits of the Trần kings.

Long Đọi Sơn Pagoda Festival, Tiên Sơn Ward, from the 17th to the 21st day of the 3rd lunar month.

Tràng An Festival and Trần Temple Festival, Hoa Lư Ward, honour the deity Quý Minh, guardian of the southern gateway of Hoa Lư, taking place on the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Kỳ Phúc Festival, Hà Thanh Village, Yên Từ Commune, takes place from the 16th to the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month.

Ninh Cường Pagoda Festival in Giáp Nhì Hamlet, Ninh Cường Commune, takes place on the 17th day of the 5th lunar month.

Lảnh Giang Temple Festival in Yên Lạc Hamlet, Duy Tân Ward, takes place from the 18th to the 25th day of the 6th lunar month and on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month.

Lựu Phố Temple Festival, Lựu Phố Hamlet, Nam Định Ward, takes place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.

Trần Temple - Tháp Pagoda Festival, Nam Định Ward, takes place from the 15th to the 20th day of the 8th lunar month.

Xám Temple Festival, Hồng Quang Ward, takes place from the 17th to the 20th day of the 8th lunar month, honouring warlord Trần Lãm from the time of King Đinh Tiên Hoàng.

Trần Thương Temple Festival, Trần Thương Commune, takes place from the 18th to the 20th day of the 8th lunar month, honouring Trần Hưng Đạo.

Yên Cư Festival in Yên Khánh Commune is usually held on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month every year.

Tân Phong Communal House Festival, Nho Quan Commune, is held on the full moon of the first lunar month and the 22nd day of the 8th lunar month every year.

Cửu Tỉnh Temple Festival, Phù Vân Ward, on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month every year, venerating Mother Cửu Trùng Thiên.

Keo Hành Thiện Pagoda Festival, Xuân Hồng Commune, takes place from the 12th to the 15th day of the 9th lunar month.

Cổ Lễ Pagoda Festival, Cổ Lễ Commune, from the 13th to the 16th day of the 9th lunar month every year, venerating Saint Nguyễn Minh Không.

Đồng Bến Temple Festival, Đông Thành Street, Hoa Lư Ward, takes place on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, honouring King Lê Đại Hành.

Bườn Communal House - Trúc Shrine Festival in Đông A Ward takes place on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month every year, venerating Đinh Triều Quốc Mẫu.

Voi Đá Ngựa Đá Communal House Festival, Hoa Lư Ward, takes place on the 12th day of the 10th lunar month.

Bình Yên Temple Festival, Lưu Cơ Street, Hoa Lư Ward, from the 14th to the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, venerating Chancellor Lữ Gia and Marquis Lê Trung Nghĩa.

Thượng Communal House Festival, Đông Đình Street, Hoa Lư Ward, takes place on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, venerating martial arts master Trương Ma Ni from the Đinh era.

Thượng Đồng Village Festival, Vạn Thắng Commune, venerating King Đinh Tiên Hoàng, takes place on the 16th day of the 10th lunar month.

Tạ Danh Nghĩa Shrine Festival, Đồng Thái Commune, takes place on the 7th day of the 11th lunar month every year.

Châu Sơn Palace Festival, Phú Sơn Commune, takes place on the 12th day of the 11th lunar month every year, venerating Cô Đôi Thượng Ngàn.

Nguyễn Công Trứ Temple Festival, Quang Thiện Commune, from the 13th to the 15th day of the 11th lunar month, honouring the person who recruited settlers and founded the old Kim Sơn district.

Din Temple Festival in Nam Minh Commune takes place from the 1st to the 10th day of the 12th lunar month, venerating warlord Kiều Công Hãn.

Bánh Dày Festival at Lục Giáp Communal House, Bồ Xuyên Village, Đồng Thái Commune, takes place from the 25th to the 29th day of the 11th lunar month, venerating generals from the Hùng Kings era.

Đinh Yên Thắng King Temple Festival, Dương Hồi Hamlet, Vạn Thắng Commune, takes place on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, venerating King Đinh Tiên Hoàng.

Christmas Festival takes place on 25 December every year at Phát Diệm Cathedral and Bùi Chu Cathedral, which are major Catholic centres of Vietnam.

Early Spring Festival, Kỳ Phú, Phú Long Commune, is held from the 27th day of the 12th lunar month to the 7th day of the 1st lunar month.