Quick Facts
| Data Field (Title) | Content | Icon/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Official Vietnamese Name | Lễ hội Tháp Bà Ponagar | Also known as the Tháp Bà (Mother Tower) Festival. |
| Location | Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang City, Khánh Hòa Province, Central Vietnam. | Located on a hill overlooking the Cái River. |
| Date | Annual Event: Held from the 20th to the 23rd day of the Third Lunar Month (usually late March or April in the solar calendar). | A major pilgrimage and cultural event for the Cham and Vietnamese people. |
| Goddess Worshipped | Goddess Po Ina Nagar (or Thiên Y Thánh Mẫu in Vietnamese). | Revered as the "Mother of the Land," who taught the people farming, weaving, and animal husbandry. |
| Distinction | Recognizes the unique Cham-Vietnamese cultural fusion and the enduring Mother Goddess worship tradition. |
I. Overview: A Spiritual Pilgrimage to the Ancient Towers
Honoring the Mother of the Land
The Po Nagar Tower Festival is one of the most significant and largest spiritual events in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is a vibrant celebration dedicated to Goddess Po Ina Nagar, the revered creator goddess of the indigenous Cham people, who is also worshipped by the Vietnamese as Thiên Y Thánh Mẫu.
The festival draws thousands of pilgrims and tourists from across Vietnam and the region who come to the ancient Cham Tower complex—an architectural marvel dating from the 7th to 13th centuries—to pay homage and pray for peace, health, and prosperity.
Cham and Vietnamese Unity
This festival is a powerful symbol of cultural convergence. It showcases the ancient Hindu traditions of the Cham people (who built the towers) blended with the Vietnamese beliefs in the Mother Goddess, fostering unity and mutual respect between the ethnic groups.
II. Key Rituals and Cultural Activities
The festival is characterized by a series of solemn rituals and lively folk performances that span several days.
1. Sacred Ceremonies (Nghi Lễ)
The Robe Changing Ceremony (Lễ Thay Y): Conducted on the first day, this solemn ritual involves bathing the statue of the Goddess with fragrant water and wine, then adorning Her in new, brightly colored imperial robes and a tiara offered by the devotees.
Floating Lanterns (Thả Đèn Hoa Đăng): Held on the river, thousands of candles and flowers are released on small lanterns to pray for the souls of the departed, creating a magical, shimmering scene on the water.
Prayers for Peace and Prosperity: Official ceremonies are conducted by Buddhist and local religious groups to pray for national peace, favorable weather, and the prosperity of the community.
2. Traditional Arts and Performances
Bóng Dance (Múa Bóng): A mystical and graceful traditional dance, often performed by Cham women, that is central to the Mother Goddess worship rituals.
Văn Singing (Hát Văn): A type of ceremonial singing and traditional folk art that recounts the legends and merits of the Goddess.
Water Procession Contest: A unique event where participants carry water from a sacred spring or pagoda to the towers to use in the ritualistic bath for the Goddess statue.
Folk Opera (Hát Bội or Tuồng): Traditional Vietnamese classical theatre performances are staged to entertain the crowds and honor the deities.
3. Community and Folk Activities
Offering Processions: Pilgrims arrive with elaborate trays of offerings, flowers, and fruits, often traveling long distances to present their gratitude to the Mother Goddess.
Folk Games and Competitions: Lively activities and games are organized in the vestibule (Mandapa) area in front of the main towers, filling the complex with a festive atmosphere.
III. Visitor Information
| Guide Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Location Note | The Po Nagar Towers complex itself is a must-see architectural marvel, featuring intricate red-brick towers dedicated to various Hindu deities. |
| Dress Code | As this is an active place of worship, visitors are required to dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees) when entering the main towers. |
| When to Go | Visit during the festival dates (Third Lunar Month) to witness the rituals and performances, or visit on any day to appreciate the architecture and history. |
| Experience | Attending the festival provides a deep and authentic immersion into the spiritual and cultural heart of Vietnam’s Cham heritage, offering a truly unique experience distinct from the coastal attractions of Nha Trang. |
| Historical Tip | Take time to admire the intricate sandstone carvings and reliefs that adorn the towers, which tell stories of Cham mythology and history. |