Keo Pagoda Spring Festival - Thai Binh 2025

Nestled in the enchanting province of Thai Binh, Keo Pagoda stands as a testament to Vietnam's rich cultural heritage. With its origins dating back centuries, this sacred site has become a focal point for locals and tourists alike, especially during the annual Keo Pagoda Spring Festival.

Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh - A centuries-old temple by the Red River

Keo Pagoda, also known as Than Quang Tu Pagoda. It is a historic temple located in Thai Binh province, Vietnam. It was built in 1630 during the reign of King Le Trung Hung and has stood for nearly 400 years. The temple is renowned for its unique architecture and grandeur, making it one of the most beautiful ancient temples in Vietnam. In 2012, Chùa Keo was recognized as a Special National Monument.

Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh

As a cultural and religious site, Keo Pagoda attracts visitors throughout the year. Particularly during festivals such as Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) and Le Vu Lan (Ghost Festival), the temple organizes various activities rooted in Buddhist traditions, including releasing fish and birds and giving sermons.

Since 2017, the Keo Pagoda Festival has been officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam. During this festival, many captivating traditional games are organized for visitors to enjoy.

Keo Pagoda Spring Festival - A radiant cultural space in Thai Binh

The Keo Pagoda Festival takes place twice a year, during the spring and autumn seasons.  The spring festival is held on the 4th day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in early February.

The unique rituals and captivating traditional games

The Spring Festival serves not only as an agricultural celebration but also as a showcase of the talents and activities of the local farming community. Particularly, the festival, occurring on the 4th day of the lunar New Year, features entertainment competitions tied to the daily lives of the agricultural residents, such as duck-catching contests and rice-cooking competitions.

Keo Pagoda Festival attracts a large number of  visitors

The unique ritual of "blowing rice" is carried out in a precise process, from water collection to fire creation, and finally, cooking the rice. Participants believe that taking part in the competition bestows blessings from the Holy, and furthermore, they believe that items used by the competing teams will bring good luck. Therefore, after the competition concludes, these items are often requested and placed in the kitchen, with hopes for a warm and harmonious new year.

The significance of the festival

The Keo Pagoda Spring Festival holds immense importance for the rice-growing communities along the Red River Delta. Rooted in the legend of the Zen master Khong Lo, the festival reflects a period of growth in Vietnamese Buddhism.

The scene at Keo Pagoda during the spring festival

The festival showcases the community's reverence for Không Lộ, who is revered as a protective deity and guardian of the village. The organization and perpetuation of the festival aim to fulfill the spiritual and wholesome recreational needs of the people, as well as to convey dreams and aspirations for a prosperous and joyful life.

Keo Pagoda Spring Festival, with its blend of spirituality, agricultural celebration, and traditional games, offers a unique glimpse into the cultural richness of Thai Binh. Plan your visit to Vietnam today and witness the magic of the Keo Pagoda Festival. Embrace the rich cultural heritage, savor the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, and create memories that will last a lifetime.