Vietnam is on the radar as one of the hottest destinations to visit right now. Still relatively removed from \u2018overtourism\u2019, exploring Vietnam is\u00a0 revered for its people, food, landscape, architecture and culture. But who knew this Southeastern Asian country hosted so many festivals throughout the year.\u00a0 Here are our recommendations… <\/p>\n\n\n\n
MONTHLY:\u00a0 Hoi An Lantern Festival<\/strong> Tet Nguyen Dan \u2013 Vietnamese New Year<\/strong> Perfume Pagoda Festival – HANOI<\/strong> HUE ARTS FESTIVAL \u2013 HUE<\/strong> Wandering Souls Day Festival<\/strong> Mid-Autumn Festival<\/strong>
Simply put: you can\u2019t travel to Hoi An without attending one of the full moon festivals held on the 14th<\/sup> day of each lunar month. During the full moon, the narrow streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site township are transformed. The electricity is switched off and all the stores, temples and restaurants are decorated with hundreds of stunning lanterns in all shapes, sizes and colors \u2013 it\u2019s a visual delight like no other. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the\u00a0 most important festivals as well as a national holiday, Vietnamese New year is celebrated with many colourful traditions including fireworks, games, music and dance. \u00a0 Red and yellow are the festival colors with the streets decorated in these vibrant hues. On the final day, the Vietnamese visit the temple with offerings of fruit to pay respect to their ancestors. \u2018Tet Nguyenn Dan\u2019 means \u2018Lunar New Year in Vietnamese and is translated as \u2018the first morning of the first day of the new year. \u2019The actual day varies according to the lunar calendar but typically falls in late January to early February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is one of Hanoi\u2019s most popular annual Buddhist festivals and is usually held between February and March. Thousands make the pilgrimage through rice paddies, mountains and by boat to the Perfume Pagoda. It\u2019s here they pay respects to Buddha and pray for a prosperous year ahead. Festival highlights include dragon dances, colorful food and incense rituals as well as the final 120-step climb to the sacred Hyong Rich Caves where the iconic Perfume Pagoda awaits. \u00a0 It\u2019s the most significant pilgrimage festival in the country and is very popular with tourists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We recommend anyone with an interest in traditional and International music and arts to mark this one in their diary.\u00a0 Held every two years in the ancient capital city of Hue, this festival is celebrated between April and June. Hue is all about cultural exchange and visitors are treated to a full spectrum of Vietnamese and International performances including poetry, chess games, film, music, street arts performances and\u00a0 art exhibitions. The festival also showcases traditional Hue plays, singing, dancing and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now this is something unique. Held on the 15th<\/sup> day of the 8th<\/sup> Lunar month, this sacred Buddhist festival is said to be one of the best and largest full moon celebrations of the year. Also known as \u2018Trung Nguyen\u2019, during this Vietnamese festival, it\u2019s believed that ancestors are able to visit their families on this day (which explains why everyone flocks to the Buddhist temples to pay respect for their ancestors). Throughout Hoi An, observe floating lights along the river and offerings of cakes, sweets, sticky rice cakes, and \u2018five fruits\u2019 at the shrines and pagodas. The festival honors forgiveness and gratitude for the deceased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are visiting Vietnam in October, then try not to miss the exquisite lantern festival as it\u2019s considered one of the best.\u00a0 Celebrated by both Vietnamese and Chinese cultures, this is also known as the Moon Festival or Harvest Moon Festival. Traditionally, this full moon festival was when friends and families gathered to give thanks for the harvest of their crops. Delicacies served during this festival include deliciously rich mooncakes, sweets and biscuits. When night falls, lanterns are lit and released in the evening sky \u2013 it\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n