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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 ...

Le Mat, a village located about seven kilometers from downtown Hanoi, in the present-day Viet Hung Ward of Long Bien District, has gained a reputation for its unique snake farming tradition and mouthwatering snake cuisine. To commemorate this ancient trade, the village hosts an annual festival on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, attracting locals and visitors alike. The village of Le Mat comes alive during its annual festival, with the highlight being the famous Jiaolong or snake dance. This ancient ritual draws visitors from near and far, eager to witness this unique tradition. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times The festival is a celebration of rich cultural heritage, featuring a range of rituals and folk activities. Among these, the Water Offering Ceremony and the Jiaolong or Snake Killing Dance stand out as particularly unique. The latter, one of the ten ancient dances of the imperial capital of Thang Long, showcases the village’s deep-rooted traditions. Accordi...

Nguyen Van Trung, director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, shared that the program aims to introduce Indian folk dances to a wider Vietnamese audience and strengthen the bond between the two sides. Tushar Garg from the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges in enhancing the relationship between the two countries. The program is seen as a positive step towards cooperation with Ben Tre province, and there are plans for more exchange activities in the future to further strengthen the ties between Vietnam and India. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy popular Indian folk dances such as Jhmar, Jhang, Mirze-Sahiban, and Bhangra dances. Additionally, there were performances of typical dances and musical instrument ensembles from Ben Tre province, including flute performances and “don ca tai tu” (southern amateur music). Punjabi dances, which represent the folk and religious dances of the indigenous people of the...