Fascinating national intangible cultural heritage festivals

With many traditional festivals recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, Dong Nai has become an appealing destination for visitors eager to explore the cultural life, identity, and community spirit characteristic of the Southeastern region.

Each festival not only embodies the religious values and customs of individual ethnic groups, but also serves as a bond connecting generations, contributing to the preservation and promotion of love for the homeland and pride in Dong Nai’s colorful, dynamic, and vibrant cultural landscape.

A convergence of unique festivals

Dong Nai currently has six festivals inscribed on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage. These include the Dua Tpeng (Pha Bau) Festival of the Khmer people in Loc Hung commune; the Ba Ra Temple Festival in Phuoc Long ward; the  Cau Bong Festival (praying for a good harvest) of the Kinh people; the Ong Pagoda Festival and the Death Anniversary of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh in Tran Bien ward; and the Sayangva (Rice God worship) Festival of the Choro people in Dong Nai.

The Management Board of Hung Long Communal House Relic in Chon Thanh ward performs traditional rituals during the Cau Bong Festival of the Kinh people in 2025. Photo: My Ny

Notably, the Dua Tpeng (Pha Bau) Festival of the Khmer community in Loc Hung commune was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage under Decision No. 4615/QD-BVHTTDL dated December 20, 2019. Held annually in the third lunar month, the festival is an occasion for the Khmer people to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and a prosperous, happy life. Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival embodies the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing the spirit of solidarity within the community.

In addition to the solemn ritual segment, the festive part of the Dua Tpeng Festival is filled with excitement. As the drums resound, villagers rush to the pond with their tools to catch fish, while on the shore, Lam Vong and Lam Thon dances take place to the lively sounds of music and drums. The festival atmosphere is a blend of colors, sounds and smiles, creating a joyful and vibrant scene. After harvesting the fish, participants gather to grill them and prepare traditional dishes, sharing food while socializing, singing, and dancing, expressing their happiness, solidarity, and gratitude toward nature.

At communal houses and temples across the province, such as Hung Long, Tan Khai, Thanh An, Suoi Can, and Tan Lap Phu communal houses, as well as Duc Hoa Temple, the Cau Bong Festival of the Kinh people is held annually. This festival originated in the late 19th to early 20th century, associated with the establishment of communal houses and the agricultural activities of Kinh residents living in what was formerly Binh Phuoc province. Along with traditional rituals, the festive section of the celebration features hat boi (classical opera) performances and various folk games such as cockfighting, stilt walking, and chess.

Ngo Tan Bong, Head of the Management Board of Hung Long Communal House Relic in Chon Thanh ward, Dong Nai province, shared: “The Cau Bong Festival is not only an occasion for local people to honor and express gratitude to their ancestors who reclaimed land and founded villages, but also a way to convey their wishes for a year of favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperous lives. Through the festival, today's young generation has the opportunity to better understand their roots and the noble traditional cultural values of their forefathers, thereby deepening their love for their homeland and raising awareness of preserving and promoting national cultural identity.”

In addition to the six festivals inscribed on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Dong Nai also hosts dozens of traditional festivals held annually at historical sites, communal houses, pagodas, and temples. Notable examples include the Long Tong (going to the field) Festival of the Tay ethnic group, the Cap sac (maturity ceremony) of the Dao people, the Moon Worship Festival of the Khmer community, and the Lam Chay Festival of the Hoa (Chinese Vietnamese) people.

The Sayangva Festival of the Choro people in Dong Nai was inscribed on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2025. The festival takes place from the 15th day of the second lunar month to the 15th day of the fourth lunar month in various communes and wards across the province, including Phu Ly commune, Bao Vinh ward, and Binh Loc ward. This occasion is the largest festival of the Choro community, held to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, peaceful lives, and prosperity and happiness for all households.

The festival consists of two main parts: the ceremonial section and the festive section. During the celebration, the Choro people perform gong ensembles and take part in activities such as tug-of-war, sack racing, crossbow shooting, and blindfolded clay pig smashing. Visitors also enjoy traditional dishes such as com lam (rice served in a bamboo tube) and ruou can (rice wine consumed through straws).

A new driver for cultural tourism

In recent years, Dong Nai’s traditional festivals have drawn an increasing number of residents and visitors. In particular, the Ong Pagoda Festival and the Death Anniversary of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh in Tran Bien ward are two significant cultural and religious events that bear a strong historical imprint, closely tied to the formation and development of Dong Nai. Festival activities are held solemnly, blending traditional rituals with folk-art performances. They not only express gratitude to ancestors but also help introduce and promote Dong Nai’s tourism to friends and visitors from near and far.

According to Tran Quang Toai, Chairman of the Dong Nai Association of Historical Science, the Death Anniversary of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh holds significance not only for residents in the locality but also for the entire Southern region. Currently, many provinces and cities across the region have temples dedicated to Lord Nguyen Huu Canh. Therefore, organizing death anniversary ceremonies could be expanded and coordinated among localities to form a regional chain of cultural and tourism events, thereby enhancing their impact within the community.

Toai suggested that the Dong Nai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinate with other provinces and cities where the Guardian Deity is worshipped to organize exchange activities and meetings among ceremonial committees of communal houses during the Death Anniversary of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh. The convergence of cultural, historical, moral, and humanistic values embodied in the anniversary will help enhance cultural soft power, promote tourism development, and further spread the image of Dong Nai province.

For many years, Dong Nai has focused on promoting traditional festivals across various digital platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Zalo, and the official websites of departments, branches, and localities, helping to bring the image of its cultural heritage closer to the public. The application of digital technology not only serves as a powerful tool to vividly present local culture but also functions as an effective educational channel, fostering pride and awareness of preserving national identity among the younger generation. Thanks to digital technology, traditional festivals and intangible cultural heritage have been revitalized, becoming a driving force for Dong Nai’s tourism development.

By My Ny - Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho