Local festivals, spiritual rituals and cultural events have created a lively atmosphere in the early months of the year, offering residents an opportunity to pray for prosperity and peace while introducing visitors to long-standing cultural traditions.
At the Ba Temple relic site in Liem Dinh Quarter, An Nhon Bac Ward, the Via Ba Festival remains one of the most important spiritual events for local residents.
According to Nguyen Long Dan, 77, chief celebrant of the festival, the event follows traditional rituals honoring Do Thi Tan, a respected historical figure credited with caring for mothers and newborns in the community. Her contributions gave rise to the local belief in the Goddess of Safe Childbirth, a tradition that remains closely connected to residents’ daily lives.
This year’s festival took place from March 4 to 9 (the 16th to 21st days of the first lunar month), with the main ceremony on the 17th day. The event attracted large numbers of locals and visitors who came to offer incense and pray for peace and good fortune.
The celebration also marked the 20th anniversary of Ba Temple being recognized as a provincial-level historical site.
Vo Hoang Luu, Vice Chairman of the An Nhon Bac Ward People’s Committee, said the festival was organized on a larger scale this year to support activities linked to National Tourism Year – Gia Lai 2026.
“In response to the National Tourism Year, the Via Ba Festival was held with greater solemnity and stronger emphasis on local cultural traditions, attracting many residents and visitors,” Luu said.
Along the coast, the Whale Worship Festival in Nhon Ly village, Quy Nhon Dong Ward, is another highlight of the spring festival season. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the event takes place after the Lunar New Year and culminates in the main ceremony on the ninth and tenth days of the first lunar month.
The festival features distinctive traditional rituals and marks the beginning of a series of tourism and cultural activities in the ward.
Nguyen Hoang Vinh, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, said the festival offered a unique cultural experience.
“This isn’t my first time in Nhon Ly, but visiting during the Whale Worship Festival made the atmosphere truly special. Locals take part with deep reverence, while tourists can experience vibrant traditional cultural activities,” he said.
Many spiritual destinations across the province also attract crowds during the spring pilgrimage season. Ong Nui Pagoda, also known as Linh Phong Zen Monastery in Phuong Phi Hamlet, Cat Tien Commune, is among the most renowned ancient temples in the area.
Every year, the memorial ceremony for Venerable Thich Vien Minh, one of the temple’s early abbots, is held on the 24th and 25th days of the first lunar month. This year’s ceremony falls on March 12–13 and continues to draw large numbers of Buddhist followers and pilgrims seeking blessings for the new year.
Meanwhile, the Ba Pagoda – Nuoc Man Port Festival at Ba Pagoda relic site in An Hoa Hamlet, Tuy Phuoc Bac Commune, has gained increasing prominence after being recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
According to Nguyen Van Chin, head of the Ba Pagoda Relic Management Board, this year’s festival will take place from March 18 to 20 (the 30th day of the first lunar month to the second day of the second lunar month).
The ceremonial section includes rituals such as deity processions, symbolic parades representing fishermen, woodcutters, farmers and herders, as well as prayers for peace and offerings to the Ba Goddess.
Festival activities also feature traditional opera performances, folk card games, traditional games and volleyball competitions. Organizers have prepared more than 5,000 vegetarian meals for locals and visitors attending the event.
Another Whale Worship Festival is scheduled to take place in Nhon Hai fishing village, Quy Nhon Dong Ward, from March 29 to April 1 (the 11th to 14th days of the second lunar month).
Nguyen Khac Vu, head of the Nam Hai Whale Shrine Management Board in Nhon Hai Lagoon, said the event holds special significance for local residents.
“For the people of Nhon Hai, the Whale Worship Festival is like a second Tet. Everyone eagerly awaits the festival to immerse themselves in the cultural atmosphere of their homeland,” Vu said, adding that cultural performances, sports events and folk games are organized for both residents and visitors.
Tran Viet Quang, Chairman of the Quy Nhon Dong Ward People’s Committee, said authorities are working with local communities to expand the festival’s scale as part of celebrations for the National Tourism Year.
The ward is also preparing documentation to propose that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognize the Whale Worship Festival in Nhon Hai as a national intangible cultural heritage.