Ninh Binh is known to tourists from all over the world thanks to its beautiful natural scenery and cultural space imbued with national identity. Ninh Binh festivals have been formed for hundreds of years, creating their own beauty for the ancient capital.

Once the ancient capital of feudal dynasties in history, Ninh Binh land can be considered as the cradle of many unique folk festivals that are maintained and preserved to this day. Currently, the province has 74 festivals , many of which not only attract the participation of local people but also attract domestic and international tourists.

Festivals in Ninh Binh are often associated with the Vietnamese tradition of drinking water to remember its source, and are also an opportunity for exiles to pray for food to remember their homeland or to show respect to ancestors who have contributed to building the country. , keep the country or simply connect the village and neighbor as well as connect with visitors. Therefore, most festivals are held very solemnly and bring a bustling atmosphere.

1. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival

Among the famous festivals in Ninh Binh , it is impossible not to mention Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festivalis the biggest festival of the year of Ninh Binh held at the central square of Hoa Lu ancient capital cultural relic in Truong Yen district, Ninh Binh. The festival shows patriotism and at the same time educates young people to be deeply grateful to national heroes who have contributed to the defense of the country such as King Dinh Tien Hoang, King Le Dai Hanh, expressing their identity: “Drink water. remember the source”. The festival is usually held on the birthday of King Dinh Tien Hoang on February 15 of the lunar calendar or from March 6 to March 10 of the lunar calendar. The festival includes processions such as the opening ceremony of the temple door, incense offering ceremony, water procession… and many cultural and artistic activities, sports competitions and folk games such as volleyball competition, photography. photos, calligraphy paintings, display the five-fruit tray to advance to the king….

2. Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival

Bai Dinh Pagoda includes an ancient pagoda area and a newly built pagoda area, located in Sinh Duoc village, Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district. Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival is a big festival in Ninh Binh that takes place every year starting from the 6th day of the first lunar month, lasting until the end of March. The festival form consists of two parts, the ceremony part and the festival part. The ceremony is usually organized to offer incense, remembering heroes, heroes and celebrities who have made great contributions to the country and the people such as Ly Quoc Su, Dinh Bo Linh, etc. In addition, there is also an incense offering ceremony to Saint Cao Son. , the goddess Thuong Ngan and Buddhist beliefs. The festival was vibrantly organized with interesting activities and folk games such as chess, wrestling, …

3. Thai Vi Temple Festival

One of the famous Ninh Binh festivals, known to many tourists, is the Thai Vi Temple Festival in Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. This is a temple to worship 4 kings of the Tran dynasty and Hien Tu Hoang Thai Queen. The festival is held around the middle of the third lunar month (March 14 of the lunar calendar).

The ceremony at Thai Vi Temple makes many visitors admire because the offerings to the king are prepared meticulously and beautifully, from boiled chicken to fruit tray, pig’s hand to full incense. The special thing in the tray of offerings is that there must be white rice and veggie soup, which many theories say is the origin of the name Thai Vi of the temple. 

4.Dich Long Temple Festival:

The festival is held on two days: the 6th and 7th of the third lunar month (lunar calendar) at Dich Long pagoda in Gia Thanh commune, Gia Vien district.

The ceremony is organized to offer incense and worship Buddha according to Buddhist rites. The festival also organizes folk games such as lion dance, dragon dance, chess, writing contest…

5.Non Khe Newspaper Festival:

The festival is held on January 14 (lunar calendar) every year at the communal house of Non Khe village, Yen Tu commune, Yen Mo district.

The ceremony, in addition to organizing sacrifices and offering incense to honor the merits of the forebears who founded the village, also offers incense to commemorate and express gratitude to the martyrs who are the children of the village. A unique feature of the Bao Ban festival is to pay respects to Thanh Hoang and the ancestors about the success and studiousness of the villagers’ children and the village’s achievements in the old year.

The festival part also has entertainment games like other festivals.

6.Festival of Nguyen Cong Tru Temple:

The festival is held on 3 days, from November 13 to 15 (lunar calendar) at Nguyen Cong Tru temple in Quang Thien commune, Kim Son district. On the 13th, the announcement was made, the 14th was the main cavalry, and the 15th day of thanksgiving. Forms of sacrifice according to the ritual customs like other festivals.

The festival has folk games such as lion dance, wrestling, swimming competition spread on the An River….

The festive part of this festival has a traditional sound combined with a modern and fresh thanks to folk games such as swimming, boat racing combined with dynamic soccer, shuttlecock and volleyball. Traveling to Ninh Binh at the time of the festival is also the time when you can listen to the ca tru dances from the children of Trang An, which normally rarely have the opportunity to enjoy. 

Notes when traveling in Ninh Binh festival season

The festival season is a great time to discover a brilliant Ninh Binh, but this is also the peak season of Ninh Binh tourism.

Most of the festivals in Ninh Binh usually take place in the early spring or around the third lunar month every year, coinciding with the time of Tet or summer tourism. Therefore, to avoid the situation of running out of rooms and tickets, you should book in advance to be able to find the best cheap Ninh Binh hotels or train tickets.

Ninh Binh festival venues are mainly located in Trang An scenic area, but moving and visiting these places is quite difficult because of the long distance and relatively isolated. So the best solution is that you should buy a package tour to Ninh Binh to be able to arrange a sightseeing schedule and not worry about transportation.