Villages celebrate the spring festival.

Many village festivals in Hai Phong are preserved by the local people. Although each has its own unique characteristics, the common thread among these festivals is the strengthening of community bonds.

The traditional festival of Mo Trach village is held on the 8th day of the first lunar month every year.

The soul of rural culture

In Mo Trach village (Duong An commune), the traditional festival is held on the 8th day of the first lunar month with solemn rituals and processions at the village communal house. This land, rich in cultural traditions and a tradition of learning, considers the festival not only an occasion to remember ancestors but also a reunion day for descendants living far from home.

With vibrant flags and bright red flowers, descendants of the Vu-Vo family from all over the country returned to attend the celebration of the 1,222nd anniversary of the birth of the revered ancestor Vu-Vo of Vietnam, expressing their pride in the scholarly tradition of their homeland.

In Vinh Khe village (An Hai ward), the wrestling festival was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. With a history of nearly 700 years, the festival has become a vivid symbol of the martial spirit. According to Mr. Vu Van Phu, an elderly villager, those allowed to participate in the wrestling competition must meet the standards of a cultured family – a convention that reflects the importance placed on tradition and morality.

In particular, the "intertwined wrestling match" performed by senior wrestlers signifies a wish for good health and peace in the new year. Legend has it that without this match, the villagers' lives could face many difficulties during the year. Therefore, the wrestling festival is not simply a competition but also a spiritual ritual, conveying the community's hopes and aspirations.

A large number of spectators and tourists attended the Vinh Khe wrestling festival in the spring of the year of the Horse (2026).

Mr. Tran Van Trong, Deputy Head of the festival organizing committee, said that village festivals are a beautiful tradition that needs to be preserved, an opportunity to gather the people's strength, awaken the spirit of returning to their roots and working together to build their homeland.

At Dai Tra communal house (Kien Minh commune), the traditional festival with its vibrant rituals is also maintained annually. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hoi, Deputy Head of the communal house management board, said that the festival fosters strong faith and spiritual cultural life, and is especially meaningful after the merger and expansion of administrative boundaries.

At Cung Chuc communal house (Vinh Thinh commune), the traditional festival takes place from December 29th to 31st every year with many rituals such as the initiation ceremony, the worship of the saint, the procession of the palanquin, the offering of incense and prayers, and the thanksgiving ceremony. The festival part includes lively cultural and artistic activities, folk games, and sports competitions, reflecting the unique character of the Northern Vietnamese countryside. Ms. Doan Thi Nhu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Thinh commune, said that with the implementation of a two-tiered local government system, coordination is easier, and the festival is widely publicized, attracting a large number of people to participate.

Promoting values ​​in the new era

The procession of palanquins at the traditional festival of Mo Trach village.

The vibrant atmosphere of village festivals reflects the enduring vitality of village culture. However, in the context of tourism development and changes in management models, the preservation and promotion of the value of village festivals require clear direction.

According to Mr. Vu Duy Nhu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Duong An commune, the locality is coordinating with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop a tourism development plan for Hai Phong until 2030, with a vision to 2045. In this plan, Mo Trach village is expected to become a connecting point for spiritual and scholarly tourism. This presents an opportunity for the local festival to be elevated and promoted more widely.

"Playing in the lake to catch fish" - An exciting game at the Cung Chuc communal house festival.

Mr. Do Xuan Trung, a member of the Executive Committee of the Hai Phong Cultural Heritage Association, believes that it is necessary to actively promote cultural values ​​and heritage through mass media. He suggests developing local festivals into experiential spaces where locals and tourists can directly participate in traditional activities. Connecting festival sites into a continuous tourism chain will contribute to enhancing overall value.

The core value of village festivals lies primarily in the local community. The people are the main organizers, preserving rituals, maintaining customs, and protecting traditional cultural spaces. Preserving village festivals today not only aims to conserve a form of cultural activity but also contributes to maintaining historical memory and local identity while remaining relevant to contemporary life.

HA LINH - HOANG PHUOC

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/lang-que-vui-hoi-dau-xuan-536580.html