Na Nhem festival kicked off in Lang Son province

The annual Na Nhem festival in Tran Yen commune, Bac Son district, Lang Son province, known as one of the most unique festivals of fertility in Vietnam, was held on the 15th of the first lunar month.

The annual Na Nhem festival in Tran Yen commune, Bac Son district, Lang Son province, known as one of the most unique festivals of fertility in Vietnam, was held on the 15th of the first lunar month (February 5).

Na Nhem festival kicked off in Lang Son -0
A highlight of the festival is a ceremony to worship male and female genitalia to pray for growth and development.

Na Nhem means dirty face in the language of Tay ethnic minority people. This annual event attracts many Tay people and visitors in Tran Yen Commune, Bac Son District, Lang Son Province.

Na Nhem festival kicked off in Lang Son -0
People participate in the festival despite heavy rain.

During the festival, all participants have to make their face dirty to drive away evil’s attention which might bring disasters and diseases to villagers. The event is held to promote traditional and unique features of a community festival.

The festival includes two processions; one, to escort the god and the deities from Tran Yen communal house to Xa Vun shrine for worshiping. This procession is led by four men who represent a general and his three assistant generals.

Na Nhem festival kicked off in Lang Son -0
People participate in the festival despite heavy rain.

The other is to escort the sacred offerings to the shrine. The offerings include rice and taro, cycad and medical herbs, accompanied with linga and yoni, the symbols of fertility and harmony of heaven and earth, which imply bumper crops and peace for villagers.

The processions stop by noon when all the offerings are given to the gods at the shrine. In the afternoon, attendants to the festival join cultural activities, including folk games and folklore performances of the Tay.

By TM

Other News

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.