Festival at Khe Thuong Village

Khe Thuong is an ancient village by Da (Đà) river. During early days every year, village residents hold their festival to worship Tan Vien Son (Tản Viên Sơn) Saint - a leading Saint of Four Immortal Saints of Vietnam.

The festival lasts from 3rd to 7th of lunar January. Village residents do prepare flags, drums, palanquins, incense table by Da river in the afternoon of previous day to kowtow from distance "Ngài" at Nghia Linh (Nghĩa Lĩnh) mount. According to Tet customs, "Ngài" and his wife named Ngoc Hoa (Ngọc Hoa) (princess) come to present gifts to the King and villagers are to prepare boats to graciously receive "Ngài" back on the second.

In the morning of 3rd, festival with lots of games starts at playground of the communal house. Among these games, customs of "chém may" (luck cutting) and wrestling are the most enjoyed ones. Wrestling is done to both worship Saints, Gods and give spiritual sporting incentives to villagers and also remind people of the victory of Son Tinh (Sơn Tinh) against Thuy Tinh (Thuỷ Tinh) thanks to his strength and courage.

Luck cutting is a really unique custom of this village on 7th day of Tet holiday. Villagers select two strongest boys who have good reputation in the year. Selected boys themselves practice dances with knife to become professional. If not, they will feel guilty in front of Saints, Gods, and their family. In the morning of 7th, boys in red loin-cloth, wearing red turban, hold paper boat in their left hand, and knife in their right hand. The knife sharpened to the customs is 9 times longer than the hand of adult. Intended boys gather on the ground in anxiety and eagerness of villagers. There stands a line of big banana trees which are several meters apart from each other, a distance which is enough for boys to perform their cutting dances. Once drum-beats are heard, speed of cutting dances is gradually increased upon drum-beats till these drum-beats quickly repeat, it's time for cutting dances to whirl and boys are approaching banana trees. As quick as lightning, they jump up and only They are as quick as lightning, people can see quick actions of knife dances cutting through banana trees. The rest part of banana tree seems to stand still. Cheering resounds. Sharp cutting signals good omen because Thuy Tinh (Thủy Tinh)'s devilish troops will be threatened by these sharp cuttings and they therefore give up their evil intention of destroying the village and harassing villagers. Participants are happy and eager to kowtow inside the communal house and they are back with hope because they believe that they did have a very good start. Best wishes are stated and people together enjoy games of the festival in the hope of getting bright future.

Early in Spring, you are kindly invited to Khe Thuong village to enjoy exciting festival which was born since the dawn of human being and it is held at the place where 18 reigns of King Hùng who founded Vietnam.

Source: Simplevietnam