|
| Festivals and Events in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) |
|
|
| | |
|
|
January/February Festivals
Tet Nguyen Dan (Chinese New Year): held in January of early February, this is the most important event of the year, with parties being held nationwide to celebrate the coming of the new lunar year. Festivities last for three days, with various religious procedures being carried out at home, while the final night encompasses fireworks, drum performances and plenty of gong-banging. April Festivals
Thanh Minh: held in early April, this event honours the dead through worship and renovation of their dwellings. Ancestor worship is a big part of Vietnamese culture and this special time sees families travel to the city’s cemeteries to repair the graves of loved ones as well as presenting them with special foods. August/September Festivals
Trung Nguyen (Feast of the Wandering Souls and Hungry Ghosts): held in August or September, this festival sees people put food out for the dead at temples city-wide. It is on this day that the dead come back to wander the earth, with the food ensuring the hungry ghosts are well-fed. In addition, paper money is burnt to support the praying for absolution. National Day: held on September 2nd, festivities on this day include parades, fireworks, as well as musical and dance performances. Those visitors that are lucky enough to catch this festival will be presented with some great photo opportunities. The day marks Vietnam’s independence from France in 1945. | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
