Vietnam Travel Guide Backpacking and Individual Travel Blog
Embark on a captivating journey through Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage with the calendar of traditional Vietnamese festivals 2025. From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil countryside of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s festivals are a vibrant tapestry of history, spirituality, and communal joy. Each celebration is a window into the nation’s soul, reflecting centuries-old customs, regional diversity, and the heartfelt connection between its people and their traditions.
This year, immerse yourself in the spirit of Tet Nguyen Dan, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the most significant celebration of the year. Witness the vibrant lion dances, savor festive delicacies, and participate in age-old rituals that honor ancestors and welcome prosperity. Experience the colorful spectacle of the Mid-Autumn Festival, where lanterns light up the night, and children parade through the streets, symbolizing unity and hope.
Discover unique local festivals such as the Perfume Pagoda Festival, a spiritual pilgrimage in the serene mountains, and the Giong Festival, a UNESCO-recognized event showcasing epic legends and heroic traditions. Explore the richness of Vietnam’s agricultural roots with festivals like the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival, honoring the nation’s founders, and the traditional buffalo fighting events, a thrilling homage to ancient beliefs.
Whether you’re drawn to the spiritual tranquility of Buddhist ceremonies or the boisterous energy of village games and dances, Vietnamese festivals in 2025 offer something for everyone. This is not just a calendar but an invitation to celebrate life, community, and cultural continuity in one of the most enchanting corners of the world.
Get ready to mark your dates, pack your bags, and experience the unforgettable magic of Vietnamese festivals in 2025!
1. Lễ hội Chùa Hương (Perfume Pagoda Festival) – Hà Nội
- Location: Mỹ Đức District, Hà Nội
- Time: 3 February until early Apr 2025 (From the 6th day of the 1st lunar month to the 3rd lunar month annually)
The Perfume Pagoda Festival is one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimages in Vietnam. Pilgrims travel to the Perfume Pagoda, nestled in limestone mountains, to pray for health, prosperity, and happiness. The journey involves a boat ride along the Yên Stream, followed by a hike or cable car ride to the pagoda. The festival’s spiritual atmosphere is complemented by stunning natural scenery.
2. Hội Gióng (Giong Festival) – Hà Nội
- Location: Sóc Sơn, Hà Nội
- Time: 3 – 5 February 2025 (6th to 8th days of the 1st lunar month annually)
Hội Gióng commemorates the legendary Saint Giong, a national hero who defeated invaders. Held in Sóc Sơn, this festival features elaborate processions and reenactments of Giong’s battles. It is a vibrant celebration of patriotism and the spirit of resistance, deeply rooted in Vietnamese folklore.
3. Hội Lim (Lim Festival) – Bắc Ninh
- Location: Tiên Du District, Bắc Ninh Province
- Time: 9 – 11 February 2025 (12th to 14th days of the 1st lunar month annually)
Hội Lim is a celebration of quan họ (traditional love duets) that has earned UNESCO recognition as an intangible cultural heritage. Taking place in Bắc Ninh, this festival is a cultural feast of singing performances, folk games, and local crafts. Visitors can experience the unique charm of Vietnam’s Red River Delta culture while enjoying the melodious tunes of quan họ.
4. Festival Huế – Thừa Thiên Huế
- Location: Hue City, Thừa Thiên Huế Province
- Time: from 25 Mach 2025 (Every two years, specific dates vary)
The Hue Festival is a grand cultural event showcasing the legacy of Vietnam’s imperial city. With performances by local and international artists, the festival includes royal ceremonies, traditional music, and modern art displays. Activities such as street parades, ao dai fashion shows, and culinary exhibitions highlight Hue’s historical and artistic heritage.
5. Lễ hội Cầu Ngư (Whale Worshipping Festival) – Coastal Provinces
- Location: Coastal provinces in Central Vietnam
- Time: March annually (specific dates vary by locality)
The Whale Worshipping Festival is a spiritual event among coastal fishing communities. It reflects the gratitude and prayers of fishermen for safe voyages and bountiful catches. Ceremonies include offerings to the whale deity and vibrant boat races, accompanied by folk songs and dances, showcasing the maritime culture of Vietnam.
6. Lễ hội Hoa Lư (Hoa Lu Festival) – Ninh Bình
- Location: Hoa Lư Ancient Capital, Trường Yên, Hoa Lư, Ninh Binh Province
- Time: 3 – 5 April 2025 (6th to 8th days of the 3rd lunar month annually)
The Hoa Lư Festival honors the Dinh and Le dynasties, who established the first centralized feudal state in Vietnam. The festival includes traditional rituals, processions, and performances of historical reenactments. It offers a chance to delve into Vietnam’s rich historical past and the legacy of its ancient capital.
7. Lễ hội Đền Hùng (Hùng Kings Temple Festival) – Phú Thọ
- Location: Hùng Temple, Phú Thọ Province
- Time: 7 April 2025 (10th day of the 3rd lunar month annually)
The Hùng Kings Temple Festival commemorates the legendary Hùng Kings, considered the founders of Vietnam. Held at the Hùng Temple in Phú Thọ, this festival is a solemn occasion where people pay homage to their ancestors through traditional rituals, offerings, and processions. The event also features folk games, cultural performances, and traditional music, fostering a sense of national pride and unity.
8. Lễ hội Tháp Bà Poh Nagar (Po Nagar Temple Festival) – Khánh Hòa
- Location: Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa Province
- Time: 23 – 26 April 2025 (20th to 23rd days of the 3rd lunar month annually)
This festival is dedicated to Lady Tháp Bà, a goddess revered by the Cham people. Held at the Po Nagar Towers in Nha Trang, it includes rituals, offerings, and cultural performances. The event is an opportunity to witness the Cham’s religious practices and their integration into Vietnamese culture.
9. Lễ hội Bà Chúa Xứ Núi Sam (Ba Chua Xu Festival) – An Giang
- Location: Sam Mountain, Châu Đốc, An Giang Province
- Time: 19 – 24 May 2025 (22nd to 27th days of the 4th lunar month annually)
This festival honors Bà Chúa Xứ, a revered deity believed to protect the land and its people. Pilgrims from across Vietnam flock to Sam Mountain to participate in rituals, offerings, and prayers. The event also features a bustling market and folk performances, creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere.
10. Lễ hội Katê (Kate Festival) – Ninh Thuận
- Location: Ninh Thuận and other provinces with Cham communities
- Time: 1 -2 October 2025 (1st day of the 7th month of the Cham calendar)
Katê is the most important festival of the Cham people, celebrating their gods and ancestors. The festival features traditional rituals, music, dances, and the unique architecture of Cham towers. It is a vibrant expression of the Cham’s cultural identity, attracting visitors interested in learning about this minority group.
11. Hội Yến Diêu Trì Cung (Cao Dai Festival) – Tây Ninh
- Location: Cao Đài Holy See, Hòa Thành, Tây Ninh Province
- Time: 6 October 2025 (15th day of the 8th lunar month annually)
This Cao Đài festival honors the Mother Goddess and features solemn ceremonies, traditional music, and vibrant decorations. Followers of Cao Đài from across the country gather to celebrate their faith, making it a significant religious event.
12. Lễ hội Đua bò Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains Bull Racing Festival) – An Giang
- Location: Thất Sơn, An Giang Province
- Time: 20 October 2025 (Late 8th to early 9th lunar month annually)
The Seven Mountains Bull Racing Festival is a thrilling event in the Mekong Delta. Originating as a religious tradition among the Khmer ethnic group, it has evolved into a popular spectacle. Pairs of bulls compete in muddy fields, drawing enthusiastic crowds. This festival is a testament to the Khmer’s agricultural heritage and community spirit.
These traditional Vietnamese festivals 2025 not only preserve Vietnam’s cultural heritage but also provide vibrant and meaningful experiences for participants and visitors alike. Whether through solemn rituals or lively celebrations, they reveal the soul of Vietnam—a nation that cherishes its traditions and values its community bonds.
