Numerous festivals celebrate lunar New Year

Co Loa festival is held from the 6th to 16th day of the first lunar month every year. It is one of the most significant festivals in the area, for not only residents of 15 hamlets and villages of Co Loa commune, but also many people from surrounding communes. According to the Co Loa Geography Book, 6th of first lunar month is the date when the King Thuc Phan defeated Hung King, returned from Hy Cuong and was enthroned. Annually, on this day the villagers made banh day. On the 9th of this month, the King conferred the title to the meritorious civil and military mandarins. And on 12th of this month, all people celebrated with feats and rejoicings.

Soc temple in Soc Son district, Hanoi, ceremonies are held to worship Saint Giong from the 6th to the 8th day of the first lunar month. According to legend, this place is the last point of Giong's earthly journey, after defeating An enemy, Saint Giong came here to rest, viewing the land for the last time, then both the hero and the horse flew up to the sky. People around Mount Soc are grateful to the divine hero and founded the temple to worship him at the foot of Soc mountain (called Soc temple).

In the northern province of Bac Ninh, Lim festival  is held on the 13th day of the first lunar month at Lim town, Tien Du district. It is famous for showcasing the locals’ unique vocal stylings through Quan Ho folk songs. The best singers from villages are chosen to compete in singing dialogues, which take place in beautiful natural settings. During the festival, there are competitions of weaving and wrestling, processions and worship ceremonies and folk games.

Yen Tu festival runs from the 10th day of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month at the Yen Tu historical site, Uong Bi city, the northern province of Quang Ninh. Located about 50 kilometers from Ha Long city, the Yen Tu mountain has a beautiful natural landscape surrounded by ancient pagodas and hermitages. The pilgrimage route, which winds from the foot of the mountain up to its peak, is almost 30 kilometers. Dong pagoda, which sits atop the mountain, is more than a kilometer above sea level.

Via Ba festival in central province of Binh Dinh is held on the 16th and 17th days of the first lunar month in Nhat Phong commune, An Nhon district. According to legend, there was a woman called Do Thi Tan living alone here three centuries ago. For her whole life, Tan worked as a midwife. She passed away on the 16th day of the first lunar month. To commemorate her, the locals built Ba Temple on the foundation of her old house./.