Quick Facts
| Data Field (Title) | Content | Icon/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnamese Name | Lễ hội Vía Bà Chúa Xứ Núi Sam | Festival of the Lady of the Realm at Sam Mountain. |
| Status | UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. | Recognized for its cultural significance and continuity. |
| Location | Bà Chúa Xứ Temple, Vĩnh Tế Ward, Châu Đốc City, An Giang Province. | Located at the foot of Sam Mountain (Núi Sam), near the Cambodian border. |
| Timing | Annually, from the 23rd to the 27th day of the 4th Lunar Month. | The main ritual day is often the 25th. Usually falls in late May or early June. |
| Purpose | To honor Bà Chúa Xứ (The Lady of the Realm), a sacred local goddess believed to offer protection, health, and prosperity. |
I. Overview: Honoring the Guardian Goddess
The Vía Bà Chúa Xứ Festival is the largest and most important religious festival in Southern Vietnam, attracting millions of pilgrims annually. It is a profound expression of the deep folk belief system in the Mekong Delta, centered around Bà Chúa Xứ, often called the Lady of the Realm. She is revered as a powerful goddess—a protector of the people, the borderlands, and a bringer of prosperity and good health.
The festival reflects the unique cultural exchange and strong community ties among the region’s diverse ethnic groups, including the Kinh, Khmer, Cham, and Chinese.
II. The Legend and Belief
The festival is built upon the legend of a sacred stone statue of the Goddess found on Sam Mountain.
The Statue’s Journey: Local folklore recounts that the statue was extremely heavy and could only be moved down the mountain by nine virgin girls chosen by the Lady herself. It is believed that the statue became impossibly heavy at the exact spot where the current temple stands, signaling the Goddess’s chosen resting place.
Pilgrimage and Promise: The temple is considered highly sacred, and worshippers believe that anyone who prays there will have their wishes granted. Making a pilgrimage is often seen as fulfilling a promise to the powerful deity.
III. Key Ceremonial Rituals
The festival includes five strict and solemn rituals that follow traditional practices:
1. The Statue Washing Rite (Lễ Tắm Bà)
The Most Sacred Ritual: Held at midnight on the 24th day of the 4th lunar month. A select group of women ceremonially bathe the statue of the Lady of the Realm with fragrant water and floral perfume, changing her robe and crown.
Blessings: The water used to wash the statue, along with the old robes, are often distributed to pilgrims as blessings for health and protection against evil spirits.
2. The Thỉnh Sắc Ceremony (Royal Edict Welcome)
Historical Significance: A ceremonial procession to receive the ‘royal edict’ (Sắc Thần) from the nearby Mausoleum of Thoại Ngọc Hầu (a key historical figure who managed the area). This rite formally opens the festival.
3. The Chánh Tế Ceremony (Main Offering Rite)
Grand Ceremony: Held at midnight on the 26th day, this is the main ceremony where dignitaries and the local community offer prayers for harmonious weather, good harvests, and peace for the land and its people.
IV. Cultural and Folk Activities
In addition to the spiritual rites, the area is bustling with cultural events:
Traditional Arts: Performances of Classical Vietnamese Opera (Hát Bội), martial arts demonstrations, and the unique Unicorn Dance are organized throughout the festival period.
Folk Music: Performances of Pentatonic Music (Nhạc Ngũ Âm), common in the Southern Delta region, can be heard.
Community Games: Traditional games and activities create a lively atmosphere, encouraging community bonding and exchange among different ethnic groups.