At Than Nong communal house (Hoa Xuan ward), the 2026 Phong Le village Shepherd Festival has just opened with many unique folk cultural activities, attracting a large number of locals and tourists. The restoration and maintenance of the festival demonstrates the efforts of the local government and people in preserving traditional values after administrative mergers.
The central figure of the festival
According to elders, the Phong Le Village Shepherd Festival is associated with the Thần Nông (God of Agriculture) mound and the Thần Nông (God of Agriculture) temple of the ancient Phong Le village. From folk tales about herds of buffalo, buffalo herders, and the belief in worshipping the God of Agriculture, this unique traditional festival, held on the first day of the fourth lunar month, has been formed over generations. This is a rare festival in the country that honors young shepherds – children who have been closely connected to the fields, farming, and the rhythm of village life for generations.
According to researcher Dinh Thi Trang, President of the Da Nang Folk Arts Association, the most distinctive feature of the festival is the central role of the young shepherds. In ancient society, children tending buffaloes were a humble class, rarely mentioned in community life. However, through the festival, they become the main characters through sacred rituals, cherished and loved by the villagers. This is a profound expression of the humanistic spirit, equality, and the awareness of honoring labor of the Vietnamese agricultural population.
In the festival atmosphere, people immerse themselves in traditional rituals, participate in folk singing, traditional rhymes, and many folk games imbued with the spirit of the countryside. The greatest value of the Shepherd Festival lies in its profound sense of community. On this day, regardless of wealth or status, young shepherds, elders, and villagers all gather together in an atmosphere of unity, camaraderie, and gratitude to their ancestors. This is a beautiful cultural tradition preserved through many generations, contributing to the unique identity of Phong Le village.
As the name of the festival suggests, over the two days, the organizers vividly recreated many ancient customs. In particular, the procession of the deity to the village temple for worship was elaborately designed, featuring the chanting of the "Chief Shepherd": "We, the shepherds of Phong Le, pray for a good rice crop, a good sowing, favorable weather, and a resounding cheer from all."
Immediately afterwards, the group of shepherds behind them responded in unison: "Sow the seeds! Sow the seeds!", meaning to sow the seeds in the field. These enthusiastic shouts delighted many, creating a sacred yet intimate and joyful atmosphere.
Researcher Dinh Thi Trang added that the 11th year of Bao Dai's reign (1936) was the last time the festival was held under the feudal system. After that, the festival was interrupted for many decades.
It wasn't until 2007, with the support of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association and the cooperation of local people, that the festival was revived. In 2024, the festival was organized on a larger scale by Hoa Vang district and the former Hoa Chau commune. In 2026, the festival will take place under the new two-tiered local government model after the administrative unit merger, demonstrating the determination of the government and people of Hoa Xuan ward to preserve cultural heritage.
Rekindling love for one's homeland
This year, the festival includes the following ceremonies: the procession of the God of Agriculture from the God's Hill to the God of Agriculture Temple; the ceremony of enshrining the deity so that various clans can offer incense; and the procession of the God of Agriculture through the Phong Le fields to pray for a bountiful harvest and a peaceful life.
The most vibrant part is the festival with many activities that attract a large number of locals and tourists: a discussion about the Shepherd Festival in the cultural space of "Village in the city, city in the village"; judging the shepherd flags of the clans; the shepherd procession; singing songs celebrating the shepherds; offering sacrifices to the God of Agriculture; organizing folk games; judging the sticky rice and chicken platter; singing Bài Chòi (a traditional folk singing style); catching ducks and fish…
Through these activities, the festival not only helps people remember the merits of their ancestors but also awakens love for their homeland and pride in the cultural traditions of their forefathers. Nguyen Ngo Minh (12 years old) shared that participating in the festival and folk games helped him understand more about the culture of the young cowherds of the past. “I think the children who herded buffalo in the past had a very happy childhood. The festival helps me love my homeland even more and feel proud of where I was born,” Minh shared.
According to Le Cong Dong, Vice Chairman of the Hoa Xuan Ward People's Committee, the Phong Le Village Shepherd Festival is not only an occasion to pay tribute to ancestors, commemorate the merits of the God of Agriculture, and pray for a prosperous and happy life, but also contributes to fostering community solidarity, cultivating love for the homeland, and instilling a sense of preserving national cultural identity in today's young generation.
Local authorities are always striving to maintain, restore, and spread the positive values of the festival in modern life. Through this, Hoa Xuan ward hopes to continue preserving unique intangible cultural values; gradually build a cultural space of "village within the city, city within the village"; link traditional preservation with community tourism development, improve the spiritual life of the people, and promote the image of the locality to tourists from near and far.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/dac-sac-le-hoi-ton-vinh-tre-muc-dong-3337000.html
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