Autumn is considered to be the most beautiful time of the year in the northern region of Vietnam when the sweltering heat of summer is replaced by a gentle autumnal breeze, and the leaves begin changing their colours. Here are recommendations of places to enjoy autumn vibes in Vietnam.
Hoi An Ancient Town: Asia's leading cultural destination
Hoi An is an ideal destination for an autumn trip (Photo: Vietnam Pictorial)
Hoi An ancient town in Quang Nam province, which has won the category of "Asia's Leading Cultural City Destination" of the World Travel Awards four times, is an ideal place to visit any time during the year.
However, the eighth lunar month is the best time to explore the most indigenous cultural feature of the town as during the month, every corner in the town gets bustled with assorted art performances, art exhibitions, and colourful lanterns.
Visitors will be overwhelmed with the beautiful shimmering world of lanterns across the streets, and get excited to release lanterns into the Thu Bon River, to pray for blessings for their families and loved ones.
Hai Duong province bustles with Con Son - Kiep Bac Festival
At the Con Son - Kiep Bac Festival 2022 (Photo: VNA)
From the 15th to the 20th day of the eighth lunar month every year, tourists and pilgrims nationwide flock to Chi Linh town, Hai Duong province, to attend the traditional Con Son - Kiep Bac festival.
The festival aims to honour General Tran Hung Dao (or Tran Quoc Tuan), one of the most revered figures in Vietnam’s history.
It features a range of traditional rituals and cultural activities, such as a procession, a dragon dance, and a military parade on Luc Dau River re-enacting the Tran Dynasty army during the three struggles against Mongolian invaders.
Ha Giang enters buckwheat flower season
Magnificent Ha Giang in buckwheat flower season (Photo: VNA)
The buckwheat season in northern Ha Giang province starts at the end of the ninth lunar month and often lasts one month. The Buckwheat Flower Festival is celebrated in the districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac.
The festival includes many attractive cultural activities such as exhibitions on buckwheat flowers, displays of products made from indigenous flowers, and exciting folk games.
Ninh Thuan observes Kate Festival
A traditional folk dance at Kate festival
An interesting autumn festival that visitors can explore in the land of Ninh Thuan is the Kate festival. This is an important festival of the Cham ethnic group in both Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces.
The festival is held on the first day of the seventh month according to the Cham calendar, which often falls at the end of September or the beginning of October. The three-day festival is an opportunity for Cham people to remember their ancestors, heroes and gods while praying for good weather and long, healthy lives.
During these days, Cham people dressed in their traditional costumes, and deliver their folk songs, dances and music.
Nam Dinh celebrates Keo Pagoda Festival
Keo pagoda in Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh province is one of the ancient pagodas in Vietnam with over 400-year-old architecture which is well preserved and almost intact.
The annual Keo Pagoda Festival takes place from the tenth to sixteenth days of the ninth lunar month to pay tribute to Zen master Duong Khong Lo (1016-1094), who significantly contributed to the development of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha during the Ly Dynasty.
Unique activities of the festival are poem recitals, drum performances, a boat race, and a large-scale procession.
