The annual Hai Chau Village Communal House Festival opened in Da Nang’s Hai Chau District on Friday morning with array of interesting activities that attracted a large number of local residents.

A solemn ritual at the festival. Photo: XUAN DUNG

This year, the festival takes place from April 15-18 (the 4^th - 7^th day of the 3^rd lunar month).

An array of exciting events will be organised during the 4-day event. Included is an exhibition which introduces its theme of “Five good things that Uncle Ho taught us” opened from Thursday. On display at the exhibition are a number of drawings by Da Nang primary school pupils. 

The 4-day event features a number of solemn rituals to honour ancestors, and to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural identity.

In addition, a wide range of exciting cultural activities will be held during the festival. Included are ‘bai choi’ (singing while acting as playing cards) performances, tug-of-war competition, singing competition, and storytelling competition.

One of the highlights of the festival is releasing doves for Viet Nam’s peace and happiness. In the photo: Leaders of Da Nang and Hai Chau District authorities are ready for releasing doves on Friday Morning. Photo: XUAN DUNG

The festival is held annually to promote the historical and cultural values of the event. It aims to meet the cultural, spiritual and religious needs of the locals, as well as boost the image of Hai Chau District, and that of Da Nang at large, among domestic and international tourists.

Hai Chau Communal House was recognised as a national-level historical and cultural relic on 12 July 2001 by Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The festival at the house was revived in 2009 after a gap of over 30 years.  The event is now held annually in late March and its aims are to honour the ancestors as well as preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural identity. 

Reporting by XUAN DUNG – Translating by H.L