Activities and festivals, both domestic and international, that are well-known and popular with Vietnamese tourists offer many experiences and are easily accessible.
Hung Temple Festival - Commemoration of Hung Kings' Ancestors, Phu Tho (10th day of the 3rd lunar month - April 7th)
People visit Hung Temple during the Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony in 2024. Photo: Tra My
The Hung Temple Festival 2025 will be held at the Hung Temple historical site on Nghia Linh mountain, Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province from March 29 to April 7. The main ceremony will take place on April 7 (10th day of the 3rd lunar month).
Traditional activities and rituals include the commemoration of the death anniversary of National Ancestor Lac Long Quan and the offering of incense to Ancestress Au Co, the commemoration of Hung Vuong and the laying of flowers at the relief sculpture depicting President Ho Chi Minh speaking with officers and soldiers of the Vanguard Army, and the procession of palanquins. Cultural, artistic, and sporting activities include bronze drum performances, evening cultural and artistic performances, Xoan singing, a martial arts festival, and water puppetry.
During this period, many tours exploring destinations and heritage sites in Phu Tho are available, including a day trip to Hung Temple - Hung Lo Communal House - Hung Lo Ancient Village; a 2-day, 1-night tour: Hung Temple - Hung Lo Communal House - Tam Giang Temple - Long Coc Tea Hill - Thanh Thuy Hot Spring Complex; a 3-day, 2-night tour: Hung Temple - Xoan Singing - Long Coc Tea Hill - Xuan Son National Park; and a 5-day inter-provincial tour: Returning to the Ancestral Land - Hanoi - Phu Tho - Yen Bai - Lao Cai.
Ho Chi Minh City celebrates the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country.
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in April thanks to the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam. Many activities take place on April 30th, as well as before and after the holiday, such as parades in the city center and cultural and artistic events at various locations.
Helicopters conduct training flights in downtown Ho Chi Minh City in preparation for a performance marking the 50th anniversary of national reunification, on the morning of March 27. Photo: Duc Dong.
Ho Chi Minh City will have fireworks displays at seven locations: the entrance to the Saigon River tunnel, the National Historical and Cultural Park (Thu Duc City), the Ben Duoc Martyrs' Memorial (Cu Chi District), the Nga Ba Giong Martyrs' Memorial (Hoc Mon District), the Lang Le - Bau Co historical site (Binh Chanh District), the Can Gio District football stadium, and Dam Sen Cultural Park (District 11). In addition to the fireworks, the city plans to showcase 10,500 drones simultaneously on the evening of April 30th.
Visitors can also choose to visit historical museums and memorials such as the Independence Palace, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the War Remnants Museum.
Picking ripe plums in Moc Chau, Son La
The plum ripening season in Moc Chau usually runs from April to June. The hills covered in white plum blossoms after Tet gradually transform into orchards laden with fruit. Besides taking photos, visitors can experience harvesting and eating the fruit right in the orchards, as well as buying some to take home.
Some notable plum-picking spots include Na Ka plum valley, Mu Nau, Phieng Khoang, Nong Truong town, or small plum orchards near the town center. Entrance fees to orchards usually range from 30,000 to 50,000 VND per person. Early season plum prices range from 50,000 to 70,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the time of year.
Water Festival in Southeast Asian countries
Although they have different names such as Songkran in Thailand (April 13-15), Bunpimay in Laos (April 14-16), Thingyan in Myanmar (April 13-16), and Chol Chnam Thmay in Cambodia (April 14-16), the water festival in these countries shares many similarities in form.
After religious ceremonies at temples and family gatherings, people pour into the streets, splashing each other with buckets, basins, hoses, or water guns. People believe that the more water they are splashed with, the more luck they will have. Songkran in Thailand is recognized by UNESCO and inscribed on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Water splashing events are held in Thailand, including Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Khon Kaen, and Hat Yai. In Laos, popular locations include Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng. In Cambodia, tourists often gather at the ancient Wat Phnom temple in the center of Phnom Penh.
Note: Following the earthquake in Myanmar that affected many neighboring countries, travelers should check safety conditions and consider the risks before traveling.
Jacaranda season in Kunming, China
Jacaranda trees line Jiaochang Middle Road in Kunming. Photo: People Daily
The jacaranda blossom season in Kunming usually begins in the latter half of April and lasts into early May. The most abundant and beautiful blossoms are found along the 400-meter-long Jiaochang Middle Road, transforming the area into a "purple paradise." Besides Jiaochang Middle Road, visitors can also explore the Panlong Riverbank, Guangfu Road, Cuihu Park, and Baohai Park.
Jacaranda trees have been planted in Kunming since 1984 at the Botanical Garden. The garden's research institute obtained the seeds from Algeria through a seed exchange program. After more than 30 years, the trees bloom annually, painting the streets of Kunming purple.
Cherry blossom festivals, Japan and South Korea
April is the cherry blossom season in Japan and South Korea. Forecasts indicate that in South Korea, the blossoms will begin to bloom in Seoul from March 28th and reach their peak from April 3rd to 10th. In Japan, the blossoms will bloom in popular southern tourist cities like Osaka and Kyoto during the first and second weeks of April.
Picnics under cherry blossoms (hanami) and enjoying seasonal food are unmissable experiences during this time. Tourists planning to visit Japan and South Korea to see the cherry blossoms should check the weather forecast to choose the best time and location for viewing.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/thang-4-di-dau-choi-gi-3351108.html
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