What are the major holidays or festivals in Vietnam?

Vietnam has a rich cultural heritage, and its calendar is filled with vibrant holidays and festivals that reflect the country's traditions, history, and religious practices. These celebrations are influenced by Vietnamese folk culture, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Catholicism. Below are some of the major holidays and festivals in Vietnam:

1. Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnam Lunar New Year)

When: Late January to mid-February (based on the Lunar Calendar)
Significance: Tết is the most important and widely celebrated festival in Vietnam, marking the arrival of the Lunar New Year. It is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and welcoming the new year with hope and prosperity.
Traditions: Cleaning homes, decorating with peach blossoms or kumquat trees, giving red envelopes ("lì xì") with money, preparing special foods like bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), and visiting temples.

2. Tết Nguyên Tiêu (Lantern Festival)

When: 15th day of the first lunar month
Significance: This festival celebrates the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. It is a time for prayer, reflection, and community gatherings.
Traditions: Lighting lanterns, releasing floating lanterns on rivers, and enjoying traditional performances.

3. Hùng Kings' Temple Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương)

When: 10th day of the third lunar month (usually April)
Significance: This national holiday honors the Hùng Kings, the legendary founders of Vietnam. It emphasizes patriotism and national unity.
Traditions: Pilgrimages to the Hùng Temple in Phú Thọ Province, offering incense, and participating in cultural activities like singing and dancing.

4. Buddha's Birthday (Vesak)

When: 15th day of the fourth lunar month (April or May)
Significance: A major Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha.
Traditions: Visiting pagodas, offering prayers, releasing animals as acts of compassion, and performing charitable deeds.

5. Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu)

When: 15th day of the eighth lunar month (September or October)
Significance: Also known as the "Children's Festival," this celebration honors the full moon and focuses on family bonding and gratitude.
Traditions: Eating mooncakes, lighting lanterns, organizing parades, and storytelling for children.

6. Reunification Day and International Labor Day

Reunification Day (Ngày Giải Phóng): April 30
- Celebrates the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of North and South Vietnam in 1975.
Labor Day (Ngày Quốc Tế Lao Động): May 1
- Marks International Workers' Day, a public holiday for relaxation and reflection on labor rights.

7. National Day (Quốc Khánh)

When: September 2
Significance: Commemorates the declaration of Vietnam's independence from France in 1945 by President Hồ Chí Minh.
Traditions: Parades, fireworks, flag-raising ceremonies, and patriotic events.

8. Christmas (Giáng Sinh)

When: December 24–25
Significance: While Vietnam is predominantly non-Christian, Christmas has become a popular secular holiday, especially in urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City.
Traditions: Decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, attending church services, and enjoying festive markets.

9. Perfume Pagoda Festival (Hội Chùa Hương)

When: January to March (lunar calendar)
Significance: A spiritual pilgrimage to the Perfume Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist site located in Hà Tây Province.
Traditions: Boating along scenic rivers, climbing to the pagoda, and praying for blessings.

10. Huế Festival

When: Every two years (varies)
Significance: A cultural festival held in Huế, the former imperial capital, showcasing Vietnam's royal heritage through art, music, and performances.
Traditions: Traditional games, calligraphy exhibitions, dragon boat races, and royal reenactments.

11. Elephant Racing Festival

Where: Don Village, Dak Lak Province
When: March or April
Significance: A unique festival of the M'nong ethnic group, celebrating their close relationship with elephants.
Traditions: Elephant races, cultural performances, and rituals honoring elephants.

12. Kate Festival

Where: Ninh Thuận and Bình Thuận Provinces
When: September or October (Cham Calendar)
Significance: Celebrated by the Cham ethnic minority, this festival honors their ancestors and gods.
Traditions: Rituals at Po Klong Garai and Po Rome temples, traditional music, and dances.

These festivals and holidays highlight Vietnam's diverse cultural tapestry, blending ancient customs with modern influences. They offer opportunities for locals and visitors alike to experience the country's rich traditions, spirituality, and communal spirit.

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