Dinh Co Festival 2025

Nestled on the southeastern coast of Vietnam, Vung Tau is known for its stunning beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. The Dinh Co Festival stands out as a unique and cherished celebration among its many cultural treasures. This annual event pays homage to a reverend local goddess and serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Vung Tau and its people.

Origin of the festival in Vung Tau

The Dinh Co Festival, also known as the Temple of Lady Palace Festival, has a history that dates back two centuries. According to legend, a long time ago, there was a girl named Le Thi Hong from Phan Rang. She is the only child of Mr. Le Van Khuong and Mrs. Thach Thi Ha. She followed her father on business to South Vietnam one day and encountered an accident in the sea. The father was heartbroken to return home after three days of searching for his daughter in the sea. People noticed her body drifting into Hon Hang (Cave Islet) after a few days. Fishermen buried her in a sand slope near where her body was discovered.

The Dinh Co Festival is also known as the Temple of Lady Palace Festival

One day, an epidemic disease hurt the villagers, and a person dreamed that he saw the Young Lady in a dream, directing the locals on how to overcome the epidemic disease. Therefore, the villagers burned incense and sprayed to her for help, and expectedly, the epidemic disease went past.

Following that event, the locals built a small temple to worship the Young Lady and asked her to help the villagers live a peaceful and comfortable life. Every year, the festival takes place at the Lady Palace Temple and lasts three days, from February 10 to 12 (on the lunar calendar).

The event takes place from February 10 to 12 (on the lunar calendar)

Unique feature of the Dinh Co festival

The festivities include a wide range of activities and ceremonies that showcase the deep-rooted traditions of Vung Tau.

Ceremony part of the festival

The ceremony part will include lantern celebrations on the sea before the major ceremony day. Tens of thousands of boats decked with colorful lanterns are parked on the beach and moving towards Dinh Co. The boats will turn towards the sea from early morning on the main day of the event, which is the 12th day of the second lunar month.

A fisherman's boat considered the best boat of the year will be chosen to take the lead. It has a throne, a royal dragon, members of the ceremonial committee, elders dressed in traditional costumes, and a lion dancing team. The boats head out to sea, traveling around 2-3 nautical miles in order to reach the location where she died in the past. The chief worshiper will begin the ceremony that will process her, the gods, and the ancestors back to the palace.

This is a vibrant and colorful affair

Festival part of the Dinh Co Festival

During the three days of the celebration, locals and visitors will stay up all day to participate in traditional events such as lantern release, drum and gong playing, boat racing, and singing.

Dinh Co is brightly and respectfully decked with lanterns and flowers. All of the ships have bright paper lights and flowers hanging from them. Therefore, the stunning scene of the festival appears at night. Every boat in this area aims its bow towards Dinh Co to perform the "Chau Co" ritual.

Locals and visitors will stay up all day to participate in traditional events

Another ritual that appears in the festival is the animal release ceremony. People will buy birds to keep in cages and organize bird releases, such as on the full moon or first lunar days. There will be troupes performing "tuong" and "boi" during the Dinh Co Festival. In addition, lion and dragon dances, flower dances, and various traditional activities such as fish-catching competitions, eel-catching competitions, boat races, and so on are organized.

Many young fishermen participate in these folk games. As a result of the loud cheers of the audience, these games frequently take place in a highly thrilling and exuberant manner, contributing to making the festival even more crowded and appealing.

There are various traditional activities are organized in the event

The Dinh Co Festival in Vung Tau, Vietnam, is a remarkable celebration that beautifully encapsulates the city's cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. For those seeking an authentic and enriching cultural experience in Vietnam, this festival is a must-visit event that promises to leave a lasting impression of Vung Tau's unique charm and cultural depth.