Hanoi’s traditional festivals (and Vietnamese festivals in general) primarily follow the Lunar Calendar. Therefore, the best way to list them is by the lunar months, especially during spring (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months).
1st Lunar Month (January) – The Busiest Festival Season
This month features the largest and most important festivals:
- Đống Đa Mound Festival:
- Time: 5th day of the 1st lunar month.
- Location: Đống Đa Mound, Đống Đa District.
- Highlights: Commemorates the victory of Emperor Quang Trung at Ngọc Hồi – Đống Đa. It includes a ceremonial procession, dragon dances, and folk games.
- Sóc Temple Festival (Gióng Festival at Sóc Sơn):
- Time: 6th – 8th day of the 1st lunar month.
- Location: Sóc Temple historical site, Sóc Sơn District.
- Highlights: Commemorates Saint Gióng (Thánh Gióng) ascending to heaven after defeating the An invaders. It features unique rituals like the procession of bamboo flowers and the “slashing the general” ritual.
- Cổ Loa Citadel Festival:
- Time: 6th – 16th day of the 1st lunar month.
- Location: Cổ Loa Citadel, Đông Anh District.
- Highlights: Commemorates King An Dương Vương. Features a grand procession with palanquins from 8 surrounding villages, along with folk games (crossbow shooting, swinging, human chess).
- Perfume Pagoda Festival (Chùa Hương):
- Time: Opens on the 6th day of the 1st lunar month, lasting until the end of the 3rd lunar month.
- Location: Hương Sơn Commune, Mỹ Đức District.
- Highlights: The largest Buddhist pilgrimage festival in Northern Vietnam. Visitors take boat trips on the Yen Stream and climb (or take a cable car) to visit the temples and caves in the complex.
- Trưng Sisters Temple Festival (Mê Linh):
- Time: Main festival day is the 6th day of the 1st lunar month.
- Location: Trưng Sisters Temple, Mê Linh District.
- Highlights: Commemorates the day the Trưng Sisters raised their banner to revolt. Includes palanquin processions and formal worship ceremonies.
- Triều Khúc Village Festival (As you mentioned):
- Time: 9th – 12th day of the 1st lunar month.
- Location: Triều Khúc Village Communal House, Tân Triều Commune, Thanh Trì District.
- Highlights: Commemorates the national hero Bố Cái Đại Vương Phùng Hưng. The festival is most famous for the “Con Đĩ Đánh Bồng” dance (a drum dance performed by men dressed as women), which is highly unique and joyful.
This dance is performed by young men from the village dressed as women. They wear heavy makeup (lipstick and rouge), pink traditional bodices (yếm đào), colorful dance skirts, and crow’s-beak scarves (khăn mỏ quạ), while wearing a small “bồng” drum on their chests. The men perform graceful and charming dance movements while tapping on the “bồng” drums, creating an incredibly lively and joyful atmosphere. According to legend, this dance was used to entertain and encourage Phùng Hưng’s soldiers.
The “Duck Catching” Game
The “Duck Catching” game on the 13th day of the 8th lunar month typically takes place at the village pond (or pagoda pond). The game does not emphasize winning or losing. Young men from the village participate mainly for fun, and whoever catches a duck is believed to receive good luck and fortune in the new year.
This is an extremely vibrant community activity that strengthens neighborhood bonds. An interesting detail that accompanies the duck catching is that spectators on the bank often throw pomelos into the pond to “challenge” the participants, causing the flock of ducks to scatter and making the game even more exciting and fun.
2nd Lunar Month (February)
- Bát Tràng Village Festival:
- Time: 14th – 16th day of the 2nd lunar month.
- Location: Bát Tràng Village Communal House, Gia Lâm District.
- Highlights: The festival of the ancient pottery village. It includes a water procession from the Red River to the communal house, worship of the village’s tutelary god, and activities showcasing the pottery craft.
3rd Lunar Month (March)
- Thầy Pagoda Festival:
- Time: 3rd – 7th day of the 3rd lunar month.
- Location: Thầy Pagoda, Quốc Oai District.
- Highlights: Commemorates the monk Từ Đạo Hạnh. Famous for its beautiful landscape and water puppet performances held at the pavilion in the middle of the lake in front of the pagoda.
- Lệ Mật Village Festival:
- Time: 20th – 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month.
- Location: Lệ Mật Communal House, Long Biên District.
- Highlights: Commemorates the village’s tutelary god, Hoàng Đức Trung (who founded 13 settlements in the west of the capital). The festival features the “Giảo Long” dance (Snake Dance), re-enacting the legend of killing a water monster to save a princess.
- Bá Dương Nội Village Kite Flying Contest:
- Time: The 15th day of the 3rd lunar month (Full Moon).
- Location: Bá Dương Nội Village, Hồng Hà Commune, Đan Phượng District.
- Highlights: A fascinating folk competition. Teams compete with flute kites; the kite that has the best flute sound, flies the highest, and remains the most stable wins.
4th Lunar Month (April)
- Gióng Festival (Phù Đổng):
- Time: 6th – 9th day of the 4th lunar month (Main day is the 9th).
- Location: Phù Đổng Temple, Gia Lâm District.
- Highlights: This is the Gióng Festival recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival vividly re-enacts the battles of Saint Gióng (known as a “battle festival”) with elaborate roles for “commanders” and soldiers.
8th Lunar Month (August)
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu):
- Time: The 15th day of the 8th lunar month (Full Moon).
- Location: Everywhere, but most vibrant on Hàng Mã Street, Hoàn Kiếm District.
- Highlights: While not a “village festival,” it’s a major cultural event. Hàng Mã Street becomes dazzling with lanterns and toys. Families gather to eat mooncakes, watch the moon, and enjoy lion and dragon dances.
📅 Modern Cultural Events & Festivals (By Gregorian Month)
These events typically have fixed dates on the Western calendar:
- October:
- Hanoi Liberation Day (October 10): Many cultural activities, art performances, street shows, especially around the Hoan Kiem Lake area and major stages.
- November:
- Hanoi Creative Design Festival: Usually held in November. Old heritage spaces (factories, train stations…) are transformed into venues for art installations and contemporary performances.
- Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival: Often takes place late in the year (Oct or Nov), honoring the traditional áo dài dress and linking it with the capital’s tourism.
- December:
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve: A festive atmosphere fills the city’s churches (especially St. Joseph’s Cathedral), shopping malls, and the area around Hoan Kiem Lake.
I hope this list gives you a great overview of the festivals in Hanoi.