Chuon Village Festival 2025

Chuon Village Festival is one of the most important spiritual and cultural events for the people of Hue. Featuring ancient ceremonial rites passed down through generations, this festival is an ideal occasion for travelers to visit Chuon Village, immerse themselves in its festive atmosphere, and discover the deep-rooted traditions of Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Chuon Village Festival - A quintessential Hue folk tradition

“Autumn Festival” is one of the most significant spiritual festivals held annually in rural Hue during the 7th lunar month. Among these, the Chuon Village Festival, also known as the An Truyen Village Festival in Phu An Commune, Phu Vang District (now My Thuong Ward, Hue), stands out for its deep historical roots and cultural richness. With a history spanning over 600 years, this festival takes place on the 15th, 16th, and 17th days of the 7th lunar month, beginning with sacred rituals performed in a solemn, mystical atmosphere.
The festival serves as an occasion for the local community to honor their ancestors, especially those who founded and developed the village. It is also a time to pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and prosperity for future generations. More importantly, the event fosters a sense of local pride and cultural preservation, passing on traditional values to younger generations.

Chuon Village Festival stands as one of Hue’s most significant cultural celebrations

The uniqueness of Chuon Village Autumn Festival

What makes Chuon Village Autumn Festival so distinctive lies in the meticulous preservation of ancient ceremonial rites and traditional costumes.

Day 1: Ancestral procession and rituals

At dawn on the 16th day of the 7th lunar month, villagers dress in formal traditional attire to begin the procession of ancestral tablets from Dong Mieu Shrine, located by the Chuon Lagoon, to the main ancestral temple. The atmosphere is deeply spiritual, filled with reverence. As the procession moves through the village, elaborate gates and altars are set up at the entrance of each neighborhood. Lanterns, flowers, and incense offerings adorn the altars. In front of the village communal house, seven ancestral family altars are grandly arranged.
Elders from each family solemnly bow as the procession passes by, reinforcing a strong sense of reverence for the village’s founding ancestors. This procession marks the official opening of the Thu Te ceremony.

Day 2: Offerings and reunion

By the afternoon of the 16th, villagers, including those who live far from home, begin returning or sending offerings and donations to show their respect for their ancestors. This is a time of reunion and remembrance, filled with warm emotions and community spirit.
On the night of the 16th, under a bright moonlit sky, the entire village stays awake to celebrate and welcome returning villagers. They sipped the delicious local wine and enjoyed the special delicacies of their hometown, including fragrant slices of sticky rice cake and the unique taste of crispy "banh khoai" with "kinh" fish.

On the night of the 16th in the lunar calendar, families gather to enjoy local specialties and share stories

Day 3: Sacred offerings at dawn

Starting at 2 AM on the 17th of July in the lunar calendar, before dawn breaks, this is the most sacred time for the earth and sky. The villagers eagerly gather around the communal hall to participate in the ritual ceremony. In the stillness of the new day, the sounds of drums, horns, and Thai singing resonate enchantingly, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the land.
After the ceremonial reading and three rounds of wine offerings, a piece of meat from a beef rib was placed on a shining silver platter to present to the chief officiant respectfully. This offering, a gift from the deities and ancestors, symbolizes blessings for a bountiful harvest, prosperity, good health, and happiness for the villagers.
Once all the rituals are complete, the funeral oration will be burned in front of the ancestral altar to show the villagers' sincere respect, carried away by the winds and incense to their departed loved ones. In this solemn and mystical atmosphere, the villagers silently remember.
As dawn breaks, around 4 to 5 AM on the 17th, the procession begins. The villagers respectfully escort the "Heavenly Mother" and "Two Sacred Lords" back to the village temple. The lively procession, with people in ceremonial robes and colorful flags, fills the sky as they walk along the small dyke, their shadows reflected on the waters of Chuon Lagoon.

Unique features of the festival

What sets the Chuon Village Autumn Festival unique compared to other rituals is its large scale. It is featuring traditional ethnic customs and ceremonies that reflect ancient worship practices.
Another distinctive aspect is the annual change of the ritual symbols. The festival’s sacred guardian figures are changed to represent evolving blessings and aspirations. Some years feature crane statues, others dragons transformed from fish, or sets of sacred artifacts like incense burners and flower vases.
These guardian figures are handcrafted by the village’s most skilled artisans, who treat this task as a deeply spiritual responsibility. As a result, the icons are not only visually stunning but also imbued with heartfelt significance, becoming the centerpiece of the ceremonial procession.

The festival atmosphere in Chuon Village is very lively and joyful

Chuon Village Festival is a living testament to Hue’s spiritual depth and cultural pride. With roots that stretch back centuries, the event has become a vibrant symbol of unity, reverence, and national identity. For travelers seeking to explore the spiritual heritage of Vietnam, planning your trip to Vietnam’s ancient capital and taking part in the magical celebration.