The Long Tong Festival, also called the "Going to the field Festival", is undoubtedly the best-known of Ba Be traditional festivals. It generally takes place in early spring (between the 9th and 11th day of the first lunar month) in Tay villages, particularly around Ba Be Lake.
This festival marks the beginning of the new agricultural season. Locals pray for good harvests, beneficial rain, and prosperity. The main ritual is led by shamans dressed in traditional costumes. Offerings such as colored sticky rice, chickens, and corn alcohol are presented.
After the rites, festivities occur: Tay "luon" songs, weaving and cooking competitions, and, above all, folk games such as tug-of-war, ball throwing, and boat races on the lake. The atmosphere is joyful, uniting all generations living here.
The Nang Hai Festival is another gem of the Ba Be traditional festivals, specific to the Tay ethnic group. It takes place every two years (even years) in the communes of Nam Mau.
According to the folk beliefs of the Tay people, on the moon are Nang Hai, also known as Mother Moon, and fairies. Mother Moon and the fairies take care of the people's crops each year. The symbolic significance of the Nang Hai Festival is the journey to heaven to welcome Mother Moon and the fairies to earth to enjoy the festival, visit fields, homes, and daily life, and assist the earth in its work and life, blessing it with favorable weather, good harvests, and growth.
The centerpiece of this festival is a ritual theatrical performance that lasts all night, combining dance, music, and poetry recitation. Nearly 40 to 60 people (often amateur artists from the village) participate. This play tells the story of Nang Hai's arrival on Earth, his blessings, and his divine ascension. Each scene is richly costumed, and the songs are sung in the Tay language.
The Nang Hai Festival is unique: it combines sacred theater, spirituality, and the transmission of traditional values to younger generations.
The Ba Be Land and Water Festival is less well-known but equally important among the Ba Be traditional festivals. It is generally held in the lunar month of February and involves the villages located on the lakeshore.
This festival aims to pay homage to the vital elements of the earth (for crops) and water (the source of life and sustenance). It begins with a colorful procession from the village's main temple to the lakeshore. Offerings are thrown into the water to thank the protective spirits.
Beyond its religious dimension, this festival conveys an ecological message: the protection of natural resources. Speeches are given on the importance of preserving Ba Be Lake, the forest, and the rice fields. Traditional songs and prayers in the local language punctuate this fervent day. Water puppet shows, a typical Vietnamese art form, are also featured.
The Xuan Duong Love Market is a traditional event of romance and ethnic culture. Held once a year, this market is not just a place for commercial exchange, but a space where young people, mainly from the Nung, Tay, and Dao ethnic groups, gather to sing, court, and sometimes rekindle old romances. In a festive atmosphere, participants dressed in their finest traditional costumes exchange alternating songs, symbolic gifts, and knowing smiles. It's a wonderful opportunity to perpetuate the romantic customs of yesteryear while respecting local traditions.
Nowadays, this Ba Be cultural event offers numerous cultural and artistic activities that attract large crowds. Festival visitors can enjoy the sweet melodies of the Then, Sli, Luon, and Tinh lutes and folk games such as grass laying, duck-neck ring tossing, stilt walking, and more, as well as sample local cuisine.
The Cho Don Spring Festival is one of Ba Be traditional festivals not to be missed during the Lunar New Year. Held annually at the beginning of the lunar spring, this festival brings together local ethnic communities, including the Tay, Dao, and Nung peoples, in a friendly and joyful atmosphere. Participants can observe traditional prayer rituals for a prosperous year alongside exciting activities such as folk games, co-singing, dancing, and cooking competitions. It is an opportunity for all members of the community to meet, connect, and exchange cultures, and to promote them widely to tourists.
Ba Be traditional festivals are treasures of the intangible heritage of local ethnic groups. Through sacred rituals, ethnic songs, dances, and folk legends, these festivals reflect the culture and lifestyle of people deeply attached to nature, ancestors, and community. If you'd like to explore this rich cultural space, contact the Vietnam travel agency to help you plan your itinerary and create the best memories of Ba Be.
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