These days, the festive atmosphere has begun to spread throughout the Mount Sam region as locals and tourists from many places flock to the area for pilgrimage, sightseeing, and worship. Preparations for the opening ceremony are being urgently completed by relevant departments and localities, ready to welcome millions of visitors to the festival.
The Via Ba Chua Xu Festival at Sam Mountain is one of the largest folk festivals in the country, deeply rooted in the cultural and religious identity of the people of Southern Vietnam. In 2001, the festival was recognized as a national-level festival by the former Ministry of Culture and Information and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (now the Vietnam National Tourism Administration). In 2014, the festival was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Notably, on December 4, 2024, the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival at Sam Mountain was officially inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Being recognized by UNESCO affirms the unique cultural values of the festival and creates opportunities to promote the image of An Giang, a land rich in history and culture, to friends both domestically and internationally. This also serves as an important impetus for all levels of government, sectors, and the community to raise awareness in the preservation and promotion of national cultural heritage, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.
Every year, the Via Ba Chua Xu festival at Sam Mountain attracts a large number of locals and tourists. To enhance the effectiveness of promotion, relevant authorities have intensified the application of information technology and digital transformation, bringing images and information about the festival to many modern media platforms, contributing to spreading the value of the heritage to a wider audience.
This year's ceremonial part continues to be solemnly organized according to traditional rituals, preserving the essence of the festival that has existed for over a century, closely associated with the Vinh Te - Mount Sam region. Important ceremonies include the reenactment of the procession of the statue of the Lady of the Mountain Sam combined with a street festival; the bathing of the Lady; the summoning of the divine spirit; the offering and worship ceremony; the main sacrificial ceremony; and the return of the divine spirit. All are performed according to traditional rituals, expressing reverence for the Lady of the Mountain Sam and the ancestors who contributed to the development of the southwestern border region of the country.
2026 also marks the first year that Vinh Te Ward has been assigned by the An Giang Provincial People's Committee to host the festival. From the beginning of the year, the local authorities have proactively developed a plan, assigning specific tasks to each department, unit, and organization to ensure the festival takes place safely, solemnly, and effectively.
Besides the traditional ceremonies, this year's festival features a variety of activities to entertain locals and tourists. A highlight is the three consecutive nights of cultural performances featuring many artists from Ho Chi Minh City. An artistic fireworks display will also be held, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere and enhancing the festival's appeal.
The locality also organized 26 stalls to display and introduce OCOP products and other characteristic items of the province, combined with a rich culinary space to serve tourists. Before the opening ceremony, many cultural, artistic and sporting activities were implemented such as kite flying competitions, art performances, calligraphy demonstrations... contributing to diversifying the experience for locals and tourists when visiting Vinh Te and Mount Sam.
Simultaneously, Vinh Te ward coordinated with Chau Doc ward to effectively carry out logistical work and mobilize forces to participate in serving the festival's activities. The locality also organized the donation of 200 gifts to disadvantaged households in Vinh Te and Chau Doc wards, contributing to spreading the humane and compassionate spirit of the festival.
Preparations for the festival season are being carried out comprehensively and urgently. Vinh Te Ward is focusing on urban beautification, environmental sanitation, and creating a green, clean, and beautiful landscape to serve tourists. Inter-agency inspection teams have been established to check food safety, the posting of prices for goods and services, contributing to building a civilized and friendly tourism environment. Security, fire prevention, and rescue efforts have been strengthened. The locality has also announced a hotline and established Zalo groups to promptly receive and handle feedback from residents and tourists.
With thorough preparation and a series of unique cultural, artistic, and religious activities, the 2026 Via Ba Chua Xu Mountain Sam Festival promises to bring meaningful experiences to locals and tourists, contributing to honoring the value of the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, while promoting the image of An Giang as a dynamic, compassionate, and culturally rich province.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/sap-dien-ra-le-hoi-via-ba-chua-xu-nui-sam-2026-234015.html
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