Everything you need to know about the Lim Festival 2026

The Lim Festival 2026 in Bac Ninh will take place from February 28th to March 1st, featuring Quan Ho folk singing performances, traditional games, fireworks displays, and more.

The Lim Festival 2026 will take place over two days, February 28th and March 1st (corresponding to the 12th and 13th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) in seven villages of Tien Du commune, Bac Ninh province. The festival center is located in the Hong Van mountain area (Lim mountain) and Van Tuong regulating lake - the two main spaces of the festival.

This is one of the typical festivals of the Kinh Bac region, where visitors can fully experience the Quan Ho folk singing of Bac Ninh, which has been inscribed by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity (2009).

This year, in addition to the solemn ceremony, the festival features lively performances of Quan Ho folk singing, traditional games, and cultural activities. Photo: Ta Quang

Detailed schedule for the Lim Festival 2026

February 28th (the 12th day of the first lunar month)

Ceremony

7:30 AM: Opening ceremony at Hong An Pagoda; ceremony at the tomb of General Nguyen Dinh Dien.

8:30 AM: Ceremony to receive the Certificate of Recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the Lim Festival at the central stage of Hong Van Mountain.

Processions, rituals, and incense offerings are performed according to traditional customs at communal houses, temples, and pagodas within the festival area.

On the morning of February 28th, a ceremony was held in Tien Du commune to receive the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the Lim Festival. Photo: Van Giang

The meeting

At the center of Lim Hill

Quan Ho folk singing was performed in call-and-response style at 8 tents and a central stage.

Traditional folk games: card games, calligraphy, poetry gatherings.

7:30 PM: A spectacular cultural performance.

At Van Tuong regulating lake

Quan Ho folk singing was performed at four practice camps.

Quan Ho folk singing takes place on boats from 2 PM to 4 PM.

Provincial-level freestyle and traditional wrestling championships.

Traditional folk games: swinging, blindfolded goat catching, pot smashing.

A space for culinary culture and entertainment.

9 PM: Low-altitude fireworks display to welcome the Year of the Horse (Bính Ngọ).

Other areas

Ornamental plants are displayed on the road in front of the Tien Du Political Center.

Human chess and recreational volleyball competitions were held at Lung Giang communal house.

Traditional Quan Ho folk singing sessions at the Quan Ho performance house.

Quan Ho folk singing takes place at the gates of communal houses and temples, on boats, and in the homes of artisans in the villages within the festival area.

People attending the Lim Festival on the morning of February 28. Photo: Van Giang

March 1st (the 13th day of the first lunar month)

Ceremony

7:30 AM: Procession from Dinh Ca communal house to Lim hill, offering sacrifices and incense at the tomb of General Nguyen Dinh Dien.

Processions and rituals at communal houses, temples, and pagodas.

The procession starts from the center of Lung Giang village to the village communal house.

The festival part takes place in Lim Hill Square, with an artistic performance on the main stage.

Call-and-response Quan Ho singing took place at 6 campsites. Traditional folk games included card games, calligraphy, and poetry recitation.

At the Vân Tương regulating lake, a Quan Họ folk singing performance will take place at four temporary shelters.

Quan Ho folk singing on boats takes place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

In addition, there will be a provincial-level traditional wrestling competition, folk games, and a food court.

The Quan Ho folk singing troupes from Hoai Thi and Diem villages perform Quan Ho folk songs for tourists. Photo: Minh Vu

The Lim Festival continues to affirm its position as a typical Quan Ho folk music cultural space of Bac Ninh, where visitors can listen to call-and-response singing, night singing, singing on boats, and experience traditional cultural activities.

Directions to Hoi Lim

The Lim Festival is located in Tien Du commune, about 55 km from the center of Hanoi.

Travel by private vehicle

From Hanoi, follow this direction:

Chương Dương/Long Biên/Vĩnh Tuy Bridge

Crossing Duong Bridge

Follow the North-South Expressway (CT01) to Tu Son

Go straight for more than 1 km to the meeting area.

Alternative route: Take National Highway 1A, near Bac Ninh, then turn towards Dinh Bang.

Coach

The Hanoi - Bac Ninh route, get off at Lim town.

Reference price: 70,000 - 100,000 VND/person/trip.

From the stop, take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the festival area.

Bus

Route 54 runs from Long Bien - Bac Ninh to near the Hoi Lim area.

Parking and traffic notice

The organizers of the 2026 Lim Festival have arranged numerous parking areas around the festival grounds:

Motorbikes: 6,000 VND/trip

Cars: 24,000 - 60,000 VND/trip depending on the type.

The area is equipped with surveillance cameras and strict measures are being taken against price gouging and disturbances.

Human chess – a clever intellectual game in which students impersonate chess pieces – attracts a large number of visitors at the Lim Festival. Photo: Le Tuyen

Traffic diversion plan for the 2026 Lim Festival.

Applicable period: Starting at 6:30 AM on February 28, 2026 (the 12th day of the first lunar month) and throughout the duration of the Lim Festival (February 28 and March 1, 2026).

Traffic flow for cars:

On the Hanoi to Lang Son route (on provincial road 295B), vehicles can travel in the following directions:

Through the Đồng Xép bridge interchange to National Highway 1A.

Turn onto Provincial Road 295 towards Yen Phong or the new National Highway 18.

Take the central road of Tien Son Industrial Park, passing the industrial park interchange to reach National Highway 1A.

From Lang Son to Hanoi (on provincial road 295B), vehicles can travel in the following directions:

Turn onto National Highway 18 (Tran Hung Dao Street), National Highway 38 (Nguyen Trai Street), or at the intersection with Ly Anh Tong Street onto National Highway 1A.

Take National Highway 38 across Ho Bridge, then National Highway 17 towards Hanoi.

Take provincial road 286 towards Yen Phong and then to Hanoi.

For motorcycles, mopeds, and non-motorized vehicles:

When traffic congestion occurs, authorities will prohibit motorcycles, mopeds, and other non-motorized vehicles from passing through or entering the festival area.

Vehicles are directed to follow these routes: National Highway 1A, National Highway 18, National Highway 38, Provincial Road 295B, Provincial Road 286, the central road of Tien Son Industrial Park, and other inter-communal routes.

Authorities advise residents and tourists to proactively familiarize themselves with traffic diversion plans before traveling; limit private vehicles in the city center during peak hours. Comply with traffic control instructions and prioritize alternative routes to reduce congestion.

Source: https://laodong.vn/du-lich/hanh-trinh/tat-tan-tat-ve-hoi-lim-2026-1661788.html