1. Overview of the Tay Ninh Jade Pool Palace Festival (Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh)
1.1. What is the Tay Ninh Jade Pool Palace Festival (Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh)?
The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung (Festival of the Jade Pool Palace) is the biggest spiritual festival of the year for the Cao Dai religion, held on the full moon of the eighth lunar month at the Tay Ninh Holy See (Toa Thanh Tay Ninh). This festival is organized to express gratitude, reverence, and prayers to the Duc Phat Mau and the Cuu vi Tien Nuong, goddesses revered in Cao Dai belief. This event signifies the connection between heaven and humanity, between the visible and invisible worlds, with the wish for peace and blessings for the community.
In Cao Dai belief, the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh (Tay Ninh Jade Pool Palace Festival) expresses reverence for the Duc Phat Mau and is a special occasion for followers to gather. The sacred festival space provides an opportunity to practice moral and humanistic values in the spirit of the Cao Dai religion. Throughout the night of the ceremony, solemn rituals take place, from incense offering to meaningful artistic performances, creating a special mark for the event.
The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung is the biggest spiritual festival of the year for the Cao Dai religion. (Source: Quan Khu 7 Newspaper)
1.2. History of Formation and the 100-Year Milestone
The festival was first held in the year At Suu (1925) under the guidance of three predecessors: Cao Quynh Cu, Pham Cong Tac, and Cao Hoai Sang in Tay Ninh. The arrangement of a feast dedicated to Duc Phat Mau (Mother Buddha) and the Cuu vi Tien Nuong (Nine Fairies), based on instructions received through spirit mediumship, marked an important milestone initiating the development of the Cao Dai religion, demonstrating the spirit of connection between the spiritual realm and the mortal world.
By 2025, the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh will complete 100 years of formation, marking a long development process with many changes in both scale and form. From a ritual gathering of only a few dozen members, the event now attracts nearly 200,000 followers and visitors from all over to attend. The 100-year milestone not only shows the sustainability of tradition but also proves the strong vitality of Cao Dai spiritual culture.
Important historical moments are also demonstrated through the regular annual organization at the Toa Thanh Tay Ninh, becoming the biggest festival of the Cao Dai religion. The festival plays a role in preserving and developing moral values, fostering community cohesion according to the ideals of the Cao Dai religion through generations.
1.3. Why Does Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh Attract Tens of Thousands of People?
The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh attracts numerous visitors due to its special spiritual value and a sacred space rarely found elsewhere. This place gathers colorful rituals and outstanding folk art performances such as the Rong Nhang dance and Tu Linh (Four Sacred Beasts) dance, creating a vibrant cultural picture. Visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy free vegetarian food and admire exquisite vegetarian fruit art pieces in the women's skills competition.
The festival is a bridge connecting the community, spreading the values of "living well in the world and beautifully in faith" through meaningful activities. It is also an occasion for cultural exchange, contributing to the development of local tourism. The festival atmosphere is deeply imprinted in the hearts of followers both domestically and internationally, making many people wish to return to find peace again and clearly feel the spiritual connection.
2. Spiritual Significance and Humanistic Values of Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh
2.1. Dieu Tri Cung's Position in Cao Dai Cosmology
In the Cao Dai view, Dieu Tri Cung is where Duc Phat Mau (Dieu Tri Kim Mau) resides in heaven, taking on the role of governing all things. This space is managed by the Cuu vi Tien Nuong (Nine Fairies) across nine layers of clouds, creating a miraculous and complete order. Dieu Tri Cung is considered a sacred point of convergence between the mortal and spiritual realms, where the compassionate energy of the Mother spreads to the world.
The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh clearly depicts the belief in the harmonious operation between heaven and humanity in Cao Dai doctrine. Thus, the festival becomes a bridge for people to receive noble spiritual energy. The rituals taking place on the full moon night of the eighth lunar month not only express reverence but also create a positive energy field, bringing a sense of peace and purity to attendees.
Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh clearly depicts the belief in the harmonious operation between heaven and humans in Cao Dai doctrine. (Source: Collected )
2.2. The humanistic values of "living well in the world, beautifying the path" of the festival
The spirit of "living well in the world, beautifying the path" is present in every activity of the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh festival. The festival is associated with the ideal of living towards goodness, love, and community responsibility based on the Cao Dai doctrine of benevolence, righteousness, and tolerance. Free vegetarian meals for everyone, regardless of religion, are a testament to the spirit of social service, community solidarity, and sharing.
The event is an opportunity for each follower to self-reflect, cultivate virtues, and strive for good values for the community. The humanistic meaning is also widely spread, contributing to building a solid moral foundation. The festival is not just about practicing faith but also spreads messages of love and sharing to broad strata of society.
2.3. Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh: The beauty of the intersection of Vietnamese beliefs and traditions
Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh is a place where a unique blend of mother goddess worship and the long-standing Mid-Autumn Festival tradition is found. Mother worship is a distinct feature of Vietnamese culture, expressed modernly through the scale of organization, performance art, and exquisite decorative offerings. This combination creates a unique cultural identity, inheriting tradition while embracing a modern spirit.
The festival helps connect the Vietnamese community, attracting the interest of overseas Vietnamese and international tourists wishing to explore the cultural identity of the South. It is also an occasion to honor indigenous beliefs amidst the flow of modern culture, creating a strong bridge between generations and communities.
3. Important rituals at Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh
3.1. Procession of the Holy Mother and the Nine Fairy Ladies
On the night of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, the procession of the Holy Mother and the Nine Fairy Ladies is solemnly held around the Holy See complex. The images of the Holy Mother and the Nine Fairy Ladies are honored on magnificent flower floats, decorated with lotuses, chrysanthemums, and brilliant lanterns. The procession moves in a solemn atmosphere, echoing with chanting and the harmonious blend of drums and gongs.
Traditional dance performances are interspersed, signifying prayers for national peace and prosperity and representing the convergence of spiritual energy. Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh embodies profound spiritual significance, symbolizing the reception of blessings from the celestial realm. The procession contributes to connecting the religious community with the sacred realm, conveying reverence and gratitude to the Holy Mother and the fairy ladies who protect all beings.
3.2. Rong Nhang Dance: A unique characteristic of Tay Ninh
The Rong Nhang Dance is one of the outstanding highlights at Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh, performed by professional dance troupes. The nearly 40m long incense dragon, along with dozens of actors working in unison, creates fluid, wave-like movements. The troupe parades through important locations of the Holy See, from the Tam Quan gate to the Bao An Tu Palace, creating a continuous artistic flow.
The Rong Nhang Dance symbolizes sacred opening and welcoming auspicious energies. This performance also helps ward off misfortune, conveys wishes for peace, and reflects the creative and collective spirit of the Vietnamese people. The art of the Rong Nhang Dance in Tay Ninh is preserved and passed down through generations, continuously innovating to suit the solemn atmosphere of the festival.
The Rong Nhang Dragon Dance is one of the outstanding highlights at the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival. (Source: Dan Tri Newspaper)
3.3. The Four Sacred Animals Performance: Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix
The Four Sacred Animals dance, featuring the Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, and Phoenix, is an outstanding folk art performance during the night of the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival. These four sacred animals are vividly recreated, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere while maintaining solemnity. The performance is both entertaining and conveys messages of blessings, longevity, and prosperity to the community.
Each sacred animal carries a distinct meaning: Dragon represents power and luck; Unicorn symbolizes peace; Tortoise symbolizes longevity; Phoenix represents nobility. The appearance of the Four Sacred Animals makes the rituals more accessible and artistic, increasing attraction for tourists and children, while also contributing to community cohesion through traditional cultural values.
3.4. The Resounding Chhay Dam Drums and Cultural Harmony
The Chhay Dam Drums originate from Khmer culture and are performed especially during the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival, symbolizing prayers for favorable weather and peace. The sound of the Chhay Dam Drums resonates within the festival space, blending Khmer culture with the Cao Dai spirit. Khmer artisans from Tay Ninh participate in the performance in traditional, brightly colored costumes.
The meaning of the Chhay Dam Drums symbolizes the cultural exchange and harmony of the Southern region, contributing to enhancing the spirit of solidarity among local ethnic groups. The drum sounds create a highlight for the rituals and reflect the diversity and richness of Cao Dai folk festivals. Thanks to the Chhay Dam Drums, Tay Ninh's multi-ethnic cultural values become richer and more attractive.
3.5. The Main Ceremony at Bao An Tu Palace
The main ceremony of the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival takes place from 10 PM on the 15th of August and lasts all night at Bao An Tu Palace. The ritual includes parts such as offering incense, reciting prayers for peace, and respectfully offering gifts, wine, tea, and fruits to the altar of the Holy Mother Buddha. High-ranking dignitaries of the Cao Dai religion preside over the ceremony in traditional attire, creating a special sacred atmosphere.
The ritual sequence is organized strictly, clearly dividing areas for dignitaries, male and female followers to maintain solemnity. The chanting melodies echo through the night, combined with fragrant incense, creating a sacred space. The ritual concludes the following morning with the activity of distributing Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to children, bringing joy to the children and their families.
4. Scale, Attraction, and Experience of Attending the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival
4.1. Number of Participants and Grandeur
Each season of the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival attracts about 200,000 followers and tourists from all over to attend the ceremony, creating a stream of people stretching hundreds of meters around the vast grounds. The Tay Ninh Holy See, with its large area, becomes a grand festival space in the South. The stream of people flocking here creates a brilliant scene, exuding the strong attraction of this spiritual event.
Traffic is organized reasonably, with the coordination of functional forces, to ensure smooth movement of people. Sound and lighting systems are arranged everywhere to serve the large number of guests. Spacious parking areas, free water distribution points, and mobile medical stations are always ready to ensure the safety of visitors.
Each year, the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh attracts about 200,000 followers and visitors from all over to attend the ceremony. (Source: Dan Tri Newspaper)
4.2. Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh: A spiritual event linked to local tourism development
The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh is an important highlight that helps promote the image of Tay Ninh on the spiritual tourism map. The event attracts tourists, contributing to the strong development of local hotel, accommodation, transportation, and culinary services. During the festival, many businesses recorded double or triple revenue increases, creating jobs for thousands of local workers.
The festival not only enhances the position of Tay Ninh but also spreads cultural and religious values widely. Festival attendees also have the opportunity to explore famous destinations such as Ba Den Mountain and Dau Tieng Lake, creating a positive ripple effect for the local tourism industry. The event also contributes to preserving and promoting good traditions, attracting investment sources for tourism infrastructure development.
4.3. Actual experience when attending the festival
When attending the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh, visitors will immerse themselves in a sacred space, witnessing firsthand traditional rituals preserved for hundreds of years. Artistic performances such as the Dragon Incense Dance and Tu Linh leave a deep impression. A free community vegetarian feast with rich vegetarian dishes, elaborately prepared from natural ingredients, offers a unique culinary experience.
The outstanding emotions are the sacred festival atmosphere, the vibrant colors of fireworks and lanterns during the ceremony night. First-time visitors are often amazed by the scale and solemnity of the rituals. The community bonding, affection, and profound spiritual values of the festival make many people wish to return in subsequent years. Children are especially delighted with the performances and the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts they receive.
5. Guide to attending Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh
5.1. Festival time, location, and schedule
The Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh takes place from the afternoon of the 15th to the end of the 16th day of the 8th lunar month at the Tay Ninh Cao Dai Holy See. The most important rituals are concentrated on the night of August 15th, starting at 7 PM with a procession and lasting throughout the night. The most ideal time to attend is from 8 PM to midnight when the artistic programs take place continuously.
Specific schedule: at 7 PM, the procession of Duc Phat Mau (Holy Mother Buddha) departs; at 8 PM, performances of Dragon Incense Dance and Tu Linh take place; at 10 PM, the main ceremony begins at the Buu Dien (Sanctuary); from 11 PM to 5 AM the next morning is time for chanting prayers for peace. Visitors should arrive early from 6 PM to visit the premises, enjoy the free vegetarian meal, and choose a suitable spot to watch the performances. The morning of August 16th is when Mid-Autumn Festival gifts are distributed to children and the festival concludes.
5.2. How to get to Tay Ninh Cao Dai Holy See
Visitors departing from Ho Chi Minh City should follow National Highway 22 towards Tay Ninh, a distance of about 100 km, with a travel time of about 2 hours. Buses depart continuously from Mien Tay Bus Station with ticket prices ranging from VND 70,000 to VND 100,000 per trip. Personal motorbikes are very convenient for traveling within Tay Ninh city and easy to park near the Holy See. Additionally, personal cars or group tours are suitable options for families with young children.
From Mekong Delta provinces such as Can Tho and An Giang, visitors can take a bus to Tay Ninh bus station, then continue by taxi or motorbike taxi to the Holy See, costing about VND 50,000 to VND 80,000. For visitors from the Central and Northern regions, it is advisable to fly to Tan Son Nhat Airport and then continue the journey by bus or private vehicle. It is advisable to proactively depart early and book tickets before the festival to avoid sold-out tickets and traffic congestion.
5.3. Notes on attire and etiquette when participating in the festival
When attending the Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh, visitors should choose polite and formal attire, preferably a white Ao Dai for both men and women. Men should wear traditional black or white khăn đóng, avoiding shorts or tank tops. Women should avoid short skirts, sleeveless tops, tight-fitting, or overly revealing clothing. Footwear should be of easy-to-remove types as they will need to be taken off before entering the inner sanctuary.
Some important etiquette includes: removing shoes before entering the Buu Dien, maintaining order, and not taking photos in ritual areas without permission. During rituals, maintain a solemn attitude and avoid jostling when offering incense. Respect the division of male and female areas within the ritual space and follow the guidance of the organizing team. It is advisable to bring a bag to conveniently store shoes when moving around the premises.
When attending the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival, visitors should choose polite attire. (Source: Dan Tri Newspaper)
5.4. Suggestions for combining visits to Sun World Ba Den Mountain and Tay Ninh tourist attractions
When attending the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival, visitors can combine exploring Sun World Ba Den Mountain for a complete journey. Ba Den Mountain is 986m high with a modern cable car system, helping to conquer the summit in just 13 minutes. From Toa Thanh to the foot of Ba Den Mountain takes only about 30 minutes to travel, very convenient for a combined trip. Round-trip cable car ticket prices range from 250,000 to 600,000 VND/adult depending on the package.
Reasonable itinerary: morning visit Sun World Ba Den Mountain, experience the cable car, climb the mountain, worship Chua Ba; noon enjoy local specialties such as phoi suong rice paper, Tay Ninh shrimp salt; afternoon attend the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Cung Festival and stay overnight in Tay Ninh to fully participate in the rituals. The next day, you can visit Dau Tieng Lake, Ma Thien Lanh tourist area or historical sites to continue exploring Tay Ninh's culture and nature.
Visitors can combine exploring Sun World Ba Den Mountain for a complete journey.
6. Useful experiences and tips at Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Palace Yen Festival
6.1. What to prepare when attending the festival?
When planning to attend the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Palace Yen Festival, you should prepare sufficient personal identification documents and bring cash as some areas do not yet support electronic payments. Don't forget to bring personal drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat to protect your health due to outdoor activities. Masks and hand sanitizer are also essential in crowded environments. A light jacket helps keep you warm in the late evening when the temperature can drop to 22 to 24°C.
Use a small backpack worn in front to minimize the risk of theft when walking in crowds. Pre-save the contact numbers of the organizers and security forces in your phone. A power bank is very useful as you will frequently use your phone for photos and communication. It is advisable to prepare plastic bags for shoes when entering inner sanctuaries and wet wipes for personal hygiene.
6.2. Notes on security, health, and experience
When attending the Tay Ninh Dieu Tri Palace Yen Festival, pay attention to your health, avoid jostling, and do not stand for long periods under the harsh sun during the day. You should drink enough water and eat lightly before participating in multi-hour ceremonies. Those with cardiovascular or blood pressure conditions should consider their participation time and bring necessary medication. Young children and the elderly should have a relative accompany them for care when participating in crowded festivals.
Regarding security, be careful with personal belongings and do not leave bags or phones in easily stealable positions. If traveling with a group including young children or the elderly, it is advisable to pre-determine a meeting point and exchange contact numbers. Follow the organizers' instructions regarding pathways and restricted areas to ensure safety for yourself and others. In case of needing assistance, go to the makeshift medical stations set up throughout the festival grounds.
When attending Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh, pay attention to protecting your health, avoid crowding, and do not stand for a long time under the harsh sun. (Source: Collected)
6.3. Tips for lively photography and check-ins at the festival
To preserve beautiful moments at Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh, you can choose a spot in front of the Holy See when the procession of the Holy Mother parades under the light of lanterns. The main road during the Dragon Lantern dance is also an ideal location to capture images of the long, artistically winding dragon. The exhibition area of vegetarian fruit creations is a suitable place for check-in photos with exquisite creations.
When taking photos, wearing a white ao dai or group uniform will help the picture harmonize with the festival atmosphere. You can ask to take photos with the Tu Linh artists after their performance, or stand next to the vibrant flower floats to have a unique souvenir photo album. The best time to take photos is from 8 PM to 9 PM when the lanterns combine with natural light, creating a shimmering effect for the frame.
Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh is not only a unique cultural and spiritual event of the Cao Dai religion, but also an occasion for visitors to experience traditional beauty, admire unique architecture, and immerse themselves in the solemn festival atmosphere. If you are looking for a destination rich in spiritual value and Southern Vietnamese cultural identity, Hoi Yen Dieu Tri Cung Tay Ninh is definitely an ideal choice for your exploration journey.
