The Captivating Culture of Vietnam: Giong Festival 2025 Unveiled

The Giong Festival, an annual celebration honoring the legendary hero Thanh Giong, kicked off on February 3, 2025, at the Soc Son Temple National Special Relic Site. Ha Minh Hai, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, commenced the festival by offering incense to Thanh Giong in a solemn ceremony.

Located about 30 kilometers from downtown Hanoi, in the suburban district of Soc Son, the Soc Son Temple holds significant cultural and historical value. According to folklore, Thanh Giong, also known as Saint Giong, was an infant from Phu Dong Village who rapidly grew into a formidable man within a few months. He bravely fought and defeated the Chinese invaders, bringing peace to the nation. As a tribute to his valor and sacrifice, the people deified him as Genie Giong and instituted the annual Giong Festival to express their gratitude and honor his legacy.

This three-day festival, held from the 6th to the 8th of the first lunar month, features a plethora of traditional rituals and processions. These include the Bamboo Flower Procession, the Elephant Procession, the Betel Plant Procession, and the Paper Boat Rituals, all of which hold symbolic significance.


Ha Minh Hai at Giong Festival 2025

Ha Minh Hai, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, offering incense at the Giong Festival 2025. Photo: Trong Tung/The Hanoi Times

Vice Chairman Ha Minh Hai emphasized the significance of the festival, stating that it is one of the largest and most important events in Hanoi and across the nation. In November 2010, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its unique cultural and religious value.

“The Giong Festival is an integral part of Hanoi’s cultural and religious landscape,” said Vice Chairman Hai. “It not only preserves and promotes the intangible cultural heritage of the Soc Temple National Special Relic Site but also showcases the district’s tourism potential and enhances its image.”

Pham Van Minh, Chairman of the Soc Son District People’s Committee, highlighted the importance of the procession, stating that it is the most anticipated activity of the festival. “People from all around gather at the Special National Monument of Soc Temple to present their offerings to Thanh Giong, including bamboo flowers, paper elephants and horses, and other traditional gifts,” he added.


Pham Van Minh at Saint Giong Festival 2025

Pham Van Minh, Chairman of the Soc Son District People’s Committee, beating the drum to inaugurate the Saint Giong Festival 2025.

“The village responsible for the procession spends the entire previous year preparing for the festival,” Minh shared. “The site buzzes with excitement and activity, especially as the Lunar New Year approaches.”

The Giong Festival, beyond its cultural significance, symbolizes the people’s hope for peace and prosperity. “We are committed to upholding our promises to UNESCO by preserving and promoting the values of this festival,” Minh assured.

The festival is held in multiple locations across Hanoi, with the most solemn and grand celebrations taking place at Soc Temple, where the hero ascended to heaven, and Phu Dong Temple in Gia Lam District, his birthplace.

Out of Vietnam’s 7,000 traditional folk festivals, the Giong Festival stands out for its unique cultural and religious significance, as recognized by both domestic and international researchers.


Bamboo Flower Procession at Giong Festival 2025

The Bamboo Flower Procession at the opening ceremony of the Giong Festival 2025.
You may also like

The Enchanting Huong Pagoda Festival: Unveiling the Magical Experience



The Huong Pagoda Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration that takes place annually from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month. This unique festival is a spectacle of cultural and religious traditions, attracting visitors from near and far. With a duration of over two months, it offers a captivating and extended period of festivities, falling between February 3rd and April 27th.

The Mystical Giong Festival: Unveiling the Divine Offerings



Centuries of legend, folklore, and cultural pride are brought to life at the Giong Festival, an enchanting annual celebration nestled in the idyllic outskirts of Hanoi. This festival, a testament to the rich heritage of Vietnam, captivates all who attend with its vibrant traditions and timeless stories.

Uncover the Captivating Snake Dance Rituals of Hanoi’s Le Mat Village



Every spring, this village on the outskirts of Hanoi comes alive with the vibrant, historic Jiaolong Dance. A spectacle of tradition, the dance is a drawcard for tourists seeking an authentic cultural experience.

The post The Captivating Culture of Vietnam: Giong Festival 2025 Unveiled appeared first on https://vietexplorer.com.

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

Vietnam Predicted For More Rain and Storms on September 28

Hình ảnh
Vietnam’s Weather Forecast in Different Regions Northwest: Sunny during the day. In the evening and at night, there will be showers and thunderstorms in some places. During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, and strong winds. The highest temperature is between 30-33 degrees, in some places, it is above 33 degrees. The lowest temperature is from 22 to 25 degrees, some places below 22 degrees. Northeast: Sunny during the day. In the evening and at night, there will be showers and thunderstorms in some places. During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning, and strong winds. Photo: CNN The highest temperature is between 30-33 degrees, in some places, it is above 33 degrees. The lowest temperature is from 23 to 26 degrees. Thanh Hoa – Thua Thien Hue: Sunny during the day. In the evening and at night, there will be showers and thunderstorms in some places. During thunderstorms, there is a possibility of tornadoes, lightning...
Đọc thêm

Vietnam considers issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories

Hình ảnh
The Government of Vietnam is seeking approval from the National Assembly to issue electronic visas to citizens of all countries and territories. International tourists on the way to the sandy beach in the southern province of Khanh Hoa’s Cam Ranh Coastal City. Photo: Trung Vu/ The Hanoi Times Accordingly, Vietnam would extend visa validity from 30 to less than 90 days for single or multiple entries and stay from 15 to 45 days for foreign visitors from Vietnam’s Visa Waiver Program countries and territories. The measure is seen as a boost for the development of Vietnam’s “smokeless industry”, which will enhance the competitiveness of national tourism in Southeast Asia. The country reinstated the visa waiver policy for citizens of 24 countries after three years of border closures due to Covid-19. Despite being one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to fully lift border restrictions, the travel industry has not recovered as expected. Restrictive visa policies are l...
Đọc thêm

Vietnamese Dance Company to Present Adaptation of Giselle Ballet in August

Hình ảnh
The Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) is excited to present a captivating performance of the renowned ballet “Giselle” in Hanoi next month. Recognized as one of the top 10 most famous ballets globally, this extraordinary production promises to enchant audiences with its mesmerizing artistry and exceptional talent. The ballet Giselle will be performed at the Hanoi Opera House on August 2 and 3 at 8 pm. Photo: VNOB Giselle is widely regarded as an exceptional ballet piece crafted by the renowned French dramatist and novelist Theophile Gautier and playwright Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges, with music composed by Adolphe Adam. Its inaugural performance took place in France in 1841. The ballet performance embodies the profound message of love and forgiveness, showcasing their transformative power to overcome the deep-seated resentments and animosities within humanity. The Unique Structure of Giselle Ballet One of the most fascinating aspects of Giselle ballet ...
Đọc thêm