1. Overview of Prominent Festivals in Ninh Binh
1.1 Distinctive Features of Festivals in the Ancient Capital Land
Ninh Binh festivals deeply reflect the long-standing cultural, spiritual, and historical traditions of the ancient capital land of Hoa Lu - which was once the capital of the early dynasties of Vietnam. The festivals are often held at historical sites, temples, pagodas, shrines, or at locations associated with legends, generals, and kings, carrying the meaning of commemorating ancestors, praying for national peace and prosperity, and favorable weather.
The number of tourists flocking to Ninh Binh's temples and pagodas in spring – the peak of the festival season. (Source: Collected)
The festival space in Ninh Binh has both solemn ritualistic parts like ceremonies, water processions, incense offering, and prayer for blessings, and festive parts with folk activities such as dragon dances, bamboo pole dances, folk games, boat races, human chess, calligraphy, Chinese chess, tug-of-war, boat races... creating a vibrant, communal atmosphere, rich in ancient Vietnamese cultural identity.
The preservation and continuous organization of festivals, many with histories of hundreds, even over a thousand years, help Ninh Binh preserve traditional cultural values, while conveying to future generations the spirit of remembering the source, gratitude towards ancestors, and national identity consciousness.
1.2 Why Ninh Binh Festivals Attract Domestic and International Tourists
Firstly, Ninh Binh festivals offer participants a profound cultural-spiritual experience: the opportunity to offer incense, pray for peace, and pay homage at temples and relics of kings, heroes, and deities. For many, it is a way to start the new year in a sacred, serene atmosphere, praying for luck and peace.
Secondly, festivals create a connection between heritage – history – nature – community. Tourists not only participate in rituals but also immerse themselves in the spring scenery, the mountainous and riverine nature, fields, and picturesque landscapes, especially suitable for those who love nature, enjoy exploration, and wish to rediscover peace and rich cultural identity.
Thirdly, festivals in Ninh Binh contribute to local tourism development: festival events help distribute tourists evenly in the early part of the year, extend stays, increase domestic and international visitor flow, thereby supporting the economy, services, community tourism, and preserving cultural identity.
For domestic or international tourists, witnessing and participating in traditional festivals, with their rituals, music, folk games, and ancient customs, is a unique experience not easily found in many other regions; this makes Ninh Binh festivals particularly attractive.
1.3 The Peak Season for Festivals
Most traditional festivals in Ninh Binh take place in spring, from the first to the third lunar month – a time when heaven and earth harmonize, the weather is cool, the climate is favorable, plants are lush, suitable for pilgrimages, sightseeing, and festivals. Some typical festivals occur during:
Hoa Lu Festival at the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, usually from the 9th to the 11th day of the 3rd lunar month annually.
Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival lasts from the beginning of the year (usually from the 6th day of the 1st lunar month) until the end of the 3rd lunar month.
Besides, many villages, temples, and shrines throughout the province also organize festivals, creating a festive atmosphere throughout spring and making the beginning of the year the most vibrant and crowded time in Ninh Binh.
Therefore, the period from Tet to around the end of the first quarter is considered the peak time for tourists to plan their participation in festivals, pilgrimages, exploring historical sites, and experiencing culture if you want a trip that is 'complete in spirituality – tradition – tourism'.
2. Typical Festivals of Ninh Binh
2.1. Hoa Lu Festival
Hoa Lu Festival is one of the largest and oldest festivals in Ninh Binh. The event is held annually from the 9th to the 11th day of the 3rd lunar month to commemorate the contributions of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, the two kings who laid the foundation for the Dai Co Viet nation. It is also an occasion to honor the patriotic tradition, the martial spirit, and the pride of the people in the ancient capital region.
Festival of Hoa Lu with water procession ritual, incense offering at the temples of King Dinh – Le and a vibrant festival atmosphere in the Ancient Capital. (Source: Collected)
The ritual part includes a water procession from the Hoang Long River, an incense offering ceremony at the temples of King Dinh and King Le, along with solemn sacrificial rituals in accordance with tradition.
Not only carrying spiritual value, the festival also features a vibrant festival space with activities such as reed flag mock battles, calligraphy competitions, dragon dances, and wrestling. Visitors can combine photography in the ancient temple space and explore the unique architecture of the Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel relic site.
2.2. Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival
The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival opens on the 6th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of the third lunar month. This is an occasion to honor Buddhism, commemorate the merits of Saint Nguyen Minh Khong, and pray for a prosperous and peaceful year.
Scene of the Bai Dinh Pagoda opening ceremony. (Source: Collected)
The ceremony part took place solemnly with the spring incense offering ceremony, the opening ceremony ritual with the sound of drums and gongs, along with rituals to worship Cao Son God and Mother Goddess Thuong Ngan.
The festival part offers many rich experiences such as traditional palanquin processions, calligraphy writing, folk art performances, peace-praying ceremonies, and visiting the vast pagoda complex with many impressive architectural works. During the festival season, a large number of visitors flock, so the atmosphere is always bustling and sacred.
2.3. Trang An Festival
The Trang An Festival is held annually on the 18th and 19th of the 3rd lunar month to commemorate Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong, who contributed to defending the Trang An mountain region in the past. This is one of the rare festivals in Vietnam with palanquin and water procession rituals taking place right on the river within the heritage area.
Procession of palanquins and water processions on boats – a unique ritual only found at the Trang An festival in the world heritage area. (Source: Collected)
The most prominent ritual is the procession of water and palanquins on boats, recreating the belief in worshipping river and mountain gods characteristic of ancient residents.
In the festival space, visitors can take boat trips to admire mountains and caves, listen to folk melodies, and immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere amidst the rivers and water. The Trang An Festival is both an important cultural activity and a highlight attracting tourists during the Ninh Binh festival season.
2.4. Thai Vi Temple Festival
Thai Vi Temple is located in Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district. Traditionally, this is a place to commemorate the kings of the Tran Dynasty — especially Tran Thai Tong — who contributed to gathering people and establishing settlements in the Van Lam area after abdicating. The Thai Vi Temple Festival is held annually from the 14th to the 16th of the 3rd lunar month (with many places recording the 14th-15th or 14th-17th, depending on the year) to commemorate the merits of the Tran kings and honor the tradition of building and defending the nation.
The festival space of Thai Vi Temple amidst the mountains of Tam Coc – Bich Dong with palanquin processions, dragon dances, and folk games. (Source: Collected)
The festival includes a ceremony and a festival part. The ceremony involves a solemn palanquin procession — with many palanquin groups from communes and villages within the district or province participating — and worship rituals at the temple. On the main festival day, offerings and incense are presented; worship rituals are performed with reverence.
After the solemn ceremony, the festival part opens with many folk activities rich in cultural identity: dragon dances, lion dances, boat racing, wrestling, human chess, boat rowing, tug of war… This is an occasion for local people and tourists to immerse themselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere, praying for peace and entertainment.
Thai Vi Temple is located amidst the picturesque natural scenery next to the Tam Coc – Bich Dong area, with mountains, rivers, and rice fields; therefore, participating in the festival is also an opportunity for tourists to experience spiritual culture and appreciate the beauty of Ninh Binh's countryside and nature.
2.5. Festival of Saint Nguyen Temple
The Festival of Saint Nguyen Temple is one of Ninh Binh's important traditional festivals, taking place annually from the 8th to the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month in Gia Thang commune, Gia Vien district. The festival commemorates Saint Nguyen Minh Khong, a famous Zen master – physician of the Ly dynasty, who is considered the ancestor of the bronze casting craft and a figure who made significant contributions to traditional Vietnamese medicine. The festival has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (according to Bao Nhan Dan newspaper).
Den Thanh Nguyen – National Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Source: Collected)
The ceremony part was organized solemnly with many traditional rituals. The most prominent was the water procession ceremony from the Hoang Long River, recreating the custom of taking sacred water to offer to Saint Nguyen to pray for favorable weather. This was followed by important sacrificial ceremonies such as the Luc Khuc ceremony, the ceremony for male and female officials, and the incense offering ritual to express gratitude to Duc Thanh Nguyen. These rituals have been maintained through generations, demonstrating the people's respect for the Saint who saved people and cured diseases.
The festival part was lively with many unique folk activities. Traditional games such as tug of war, 32-piece chess, cockfighting, wrestling, and artistic performances attracted a large number of people and tourists. The festival space combines the sacred atmosphere of the ancient temple with the bustling folk games, creating a friendly, vibrant atmosphere rich in the cultural identity of Gia Vien – Ninh Binh.
The Festival of Den Thanh Nguyen Temple is not only an occasion to commemorate an outstanding historical figure but also a place to preserve precious traditional cultural values, becoming an important highlight of the Ninh Binh festival season.
2.6. Other distinctive festivals of Ninh Binh
Besides major festivals such as Hoa Lu, Bai Dinh, Trang An, or Den Thanh Nguyen, Ninh Binh also boasts many traditional festivals with the unique identity of each locality. These are all culturally rich events, reflecting the spiritual life and long-standing customs of the residents of the ancient capital region.
Traditional festival worshipping Duc Thanh Minh Dai Vuong: This festival is held in many villages and communes in the province, honoring Duc Thanh Minh Dai Vuong – a national guardian deity, respected by the people for his merits in protecting villages. The festival usually features solemn sacrificial rituals and a festival part with characteristic community activities such as dragon dances, lion dances, festival drum performances, and folk games.
Bao Ban Non Khe Festival: Held in Non Khe village, Yen Khanh district, the Bao Ban festival signifies thanking the gods and ancestors for blessing favorable harvests and prosperous lives. During the festival, people decorate beautiful palanquins, offer traditional gifts, and organize many folk performance items, demonstrating the strong community spirit of the ancient craft village.
Ky Phuc Festival of Cam Gia Communal House: The festival takes place at Cam Gia communal house, which worships the village guardian deities. The name “Ky Phuc” means praying for blessings and peace for the villagers. The festival includes incense offering rituals, palanquin processions, and a festival part with characteristic games such as tug of war, wrestling, human chess… creating a joyful atmosphere at the beginning of the year.
Den La Festival: Den La is where generals and revered figures who contributed to the Gia Vien land are worshipped. The festival usually takes place in spring with solemn rituals such as palanquin processions, sacrifices, reading eulogies, along with community-oriented folk activities to commemorate the merits of ancestors.
Dich Long Pagoda Festival: Dich Long Pagoda is one of Ninh Binh's ancient scenic spots and is known as the "Ha Long Bay on land". The festival at the pagoda is usually associated with Buddhist rituals such as incense offering, scripture chanting, and praying for peace; the festival part is gentle with cave exploration, mountain climbing, and admiring the beautiful scenery around the relic.
Temple of Nguyen Cong Tru Festival: The festival is held to commemorate Nguyen Cong Tru – a famous general, poet, and pioneer in Vietnamese history. The festival includes sacrifices, reading eulogies, commemorating the merits of reclaiming land and establishing settlements in the Kim Son region. Festival activities often include artistic performances, poetry exchanges, and local folk games.
3. Experiences and notes when attending Ninh Binh festivals
3.1. Appropriate attire and civilized behavior
When attending Ninh Binh festivals, especially those held at pagodas, temples, and shrines like Bai Dinh, Hoa Lu, or Den Thanh Nguyen, visitors should choose polite and modest attire. Long-sleeved shirts, light jackets, and long pants are suitable choices to show respect for the sacred space. Avoid wearing overly short, tight, or offensive-colored clothing.
Bustling festivals in Ninh Binh. (Source: Collected)
Besides attire, civilized behavior is also very important. Tourists should maintain order, walk softly and speak quietly when entering worship areas, queue according to regulations, and limit jostling when offering incense. Do not touch statues, worship objects, and do not place money on the hands of statues or altars to ensure solemnity as well as preserve the relics.
3.2. Notes on timing and how to move to avoid crowds
The Ninh Binh festival season usually falls in the period from the first to the third lunar month, with visitor numbers increasing sharply from the 6th day of Tet onwards. If you want a more comfortable experience, tourists should go early in the morning, especially before 8 AM, to avoid crowds. Weekdays are also usually less crowded than Saturdays and Sundays.
Regarding transportation, you should follow the main routes and park in organized lots to avoid traffic jams. At major sites like Bai Dinh or Trang An, there are electric vehicles and shuttle buses to help manage visitor flow. Knowing the routes, going early, and managing your time proactively will help you save a lot of waiting time and reduce the overcrowding often encountered during the Ninh Binh festival season.
3.3. Advice on safety and environmental protection
The crowded festival space means tourists need to pay special attention to personal safety. You should bring a small crossbody bag to hold your phone, documents, and wallet, and always keep it in front of you to avoid losing it or having it pickpocketed.
Maintaining general hygiene is essential. Please dispose of trash in designated areas, do not litter into rivers or streams, or within the relic site. When participating in folk games or watching performances, you should stand in the designated areas for visitors, avoiding jostling that causes safety issues.
A respectful and conscious attitude when participating in festivals not only makes your trip more pleasant but also contributes to preserving the cultural space of Ninh Binh, maintaining the beauty and value of traditional festivals for the community and visitors.
4. Suggested itinerary for a 2-day 1-night festival enjoyment combined with exploring Ninh Binh.
Day 1: Experiencing Ninh Binh festivals, exploring scenic spots
Morning:
Tourists begin their journey by participating in the Trang An festival – one of the festivals deeply imbued with the spiritual identity of the heritage region. After the water procession and palanquin procession rituals on the river, you can combine it with a boat trip to explore the cave system and the charming mountain and water scenery. This is a beautiful time to feel the festival atmosphere blending with Trang An's nature at the beginning of the year.
Thung Nham Bird Garden. (Source: Collected)
Afternoon: Continue the journey with two options tailored to your preferences:
Thung Nham Bird Garden: a place where tens of rare bird species gather, a fresh ecological space, suitable for tourists who enjoy exploring nature after participating in the festival.
Bai Dinh Pagoda: a famous spiritual destination with magnificent architecture and many traditional spring rituals. Here, tourists can offer incense, visit the temples, learn about the characteristic rituals during the Ninh Binh festival season.
Ending the first day, tourists can rest at the Ninh Binh city center area or the Tam Coc – Trang An area for convenience for the next journey.
Day 2: Enjoy at Sun World Ha Nam
Morning:
From Ninh Binh, tourists travel to Ha Nam to enjoy at Sun World Ha Nam – a modern entertainment complex inspired by the art of Northern Vietnamese water puppetry. Here there are many attractive activities for all ages such as a water park area, wave pool, dynamic games and themed photo areas. This is an ideal stop to relax after a day immersed in the festive and cultural atmosphere.
Time Square at Sun Urban City, Ha Nam ward. (Source: Collected)
Afternoon - Evening: Tourists can visit Time Square at Sun Urban City, Ha Nam ward. Every evening, this is a meeting point for tourists and Ninh Binh locals to watch water music and stroll through the Vui Phet night market.
A 2-day, 1-night itinerary combining festivals – scenic spots – entertainment offers a rich experience, both sacred and modern, very suitable for a trip at the beginning of the year with family or friends.
Ninh Binh festivals are not only cultural highlights of the ancient capital land but also a bridge helping today's tourists touch the depth of history, beliefs, and the identity of the local residents. From the sacredness of the Trang An festival, the solemnity of the Hoa Lu festival to the bustling atmosphere at Saint Nguyen Temple or Thai Vi, each festival carries a story, a tradition preserved through generations. When combined with sightseeing and modern entertainment, the journey to Ninh Binh becomes even more complete, bringing tourists a beginning of the year that is both peaceful and refreshing. Whether you travel with friends, family, or on a pilgrimage, Ninh Binh is always an ideal choice to start the new year in a space rich in identity and inspiration.
