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- Spellbinding procession with the bamboo horse — A loud, kinetic parade where villagers shoulder giant horse effigies and costumed “soldiers,” building to the theatrical moment the hero mounts the horse and is ritually sent off. It’s raw, visual storytelling you can feel in your chest — equal parts pageant, street theater and communal catharsis. (Personal favorite: nothing beats the energy of this scene at dusk.)
- Temple rites and incense-filled ceremonies — Quiet, intense rituals at the shrine honoring Saint Giong: incense, offerings, priests chanting and families paying respects. This is where the festival’s spiritual core shows through, providing the solemn counterpoint to the noisy street celebrations.
- Folk theatre and historical re-enactments — Local troupes perform the origin myth
- Spellbinding procession with the bamboo horse — A loud, kinetic parade where villagers shoulder giant horse effigies and costumed “soldiers,” building to the theatrical moment the hero mounts the horse and is ritually sent off. It’s raw, visual storytelling you can feel in your chest — equal parts pageant, street theater and communal catharsis. (Personal favorite: nothing beats the energy of this scene at dusk.)
- Temple rites and incense-filled ceremonies — Quiet, intense rituals at the shrine honoring Saint Giong: incense, offerings, priests chanting and families paying respects. This is where the festival’s spiritual core shows through, providing the solemn counterpoint to the noisy street celebrations.
- Folk theatre and historical re-enactments — Local troupes perform the origin myth and battle scenes using traditional music, costume and storytelling forms. Seeing the legend played out—part myth, part community memory—gives you a sense of living history rather than a museum exhibit.
- Traditional games and communal competitions — Expect tug-of-war, wrestling, mock-battles and other age-old contests that get the whole village involved. These events are social glue: loud, competitive, and great for joining in (or just cheering with a beer in hand).
- Street food and festival market vibe — Vendors line the routes with regional snacks, sticky rice treats, grilled skewers and herbal drinks—often recipes tied to the festival itself. Food is how locals celebrate together, so eating from the stalls gives you a taste of the place in the most immediate way.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.