Jul - 04 - 2025
Ong Dia Temple Festival is held annually at Ong Dia Temple in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. This festival is an important occasion for people to express their reverence for the deity who governs the land. It is also a place where the community comes together to preserve and promote precious folk cultural values.
About Ong Dia Temple Festival
The festival features traditional activities with profound significance, deeply respected and preserved by the local people.
What is the Ong Dia Temple Festival?
The Ong Dia Temple Festival is a significant traditional cultural and spiritual event held annually at Ong Dia Temple, located at 129 Street 5, Ward 17, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. During this festival, the community gathers to worship Ong Dia (Tho Dia Phuc Duc Chinh Than), the deity believed to govern the land and bring peace, luck, and prosperity to families and the community. People also pray for bountiful harvests and the success of their businesses. The festival is traditionally held on the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month each year, which is considered Ong Dia's traditional birth anniversary.
Ong Dia Temple Festival is an important traditional festival, held annually at Ong Dia Temple at Go Vap District, HCMC
Origin and history of Ong Dia Temple Festival
The history of the Ong Dia Temple Festival in Ho Chi Minh City is deeply rooted in the Vietnamese worship of the Earth God, especially tied to the agricultural culture. Earth God temples became widespread from the early 19th century as land reclamation and development intensified in the Southern region. Building these temples showed the people's gratitude for the fertile land that sustained them, along with their appreciation for ancestors who worked to clear the land. The Ong Dia Temple in Go Vap District is a significant worship center that has continuously maintained and developed traditional rituals and cultural activities through many generations.
Profound significance of Ong Dia Temple Festival
The Ong Dia Temple Festival is an occasion for the community to express deep respect and gratitude to Ong Dia and their ancestors. These are the individuals who cleared and protected the land, bringing prosperity and a comfortable life to the region. Locals come here to pray for health, peace, bountiful harvests, successful businesses, and a prosperous life.
The festival also plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting traditional Vietnamese cultural and spiritual values. Specifically, it safeguards unique art forms such as spirit medium singing, tray dance, and classical opera. The Ong Dia Temple Festival creates a shared cultural space, fostering community cohesion and unity in preserving beautiful traditions. The festival also serves as a reminder of the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
Special activities at the festival
The Ong Dia Temple Festival stands out with many unique and attractive activities, drawing a large number of visitors and locals.
"Giong Trong Khai Trang" ceremony
This is the solemn and majestic opening ceremony of the festival. The resounding drum and gong sounds signal a vibrant festival season, inviting everyone to participate and creating a joyful, exhilarating atmosphere.
The festival also helps preserve and promote unique folk cultural values, creating a cohesive community atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City
"Moi Trau" queer dancing performance
Queer dancing is a distinctive folk art form of the Southern region, often performed at religious festivals. The "Moi Trau" performance is a graceful and lively display with fluid dances and delicate lyrics, inviting visitors to enjoy betel and areca, expressing the hospitality of the local people.
"Dia Nang" classical opera play
The "Dia Nang" classical opera play is an impressive artistic highlight of the festival. This play reenacts folk stories and tales about Ong Dia, delivering profound humanistic messages. The play "Dia Nang" particularly critiques the vices and moral failings of ancient society, conveying profound educational messages through the traditional art of theater.
Golden tray, silver tray dance, and toy dance performances
These dances are special artistic performances that showcase the skill and talent of the artisans. The golden and silver tray dances symbolize prosperity and wealth, while the toy dance brings a joyful and lively atmosphere, especially attracting the attention of children.
Giving lucky offerings to guests
This is one of the most anticipated activities at the festival. After the main rituals conclude, locals and visitors will receive lucky offerings. These offerings typically consist of candies, fruits, or small items that symbolize good fortune. They receive these offerings with the wish to receive blessings from Ong Dia. This ritual embodies the sharing of good things and the desire for everyone to have them.
This event is an occasion for people to show their reverence for the deity governing the land and pray for good things in life
The Ong Dia Temple Festival is a traditional ceremony rooted in Ho Chi Minh City's folk culture. This festival is an occasion for everyone to relive traditional values, strengthen community bonds, and express hopes for a peaceful and prosperous life. If you're visiting Ho Chi Minh City, don't miss the chance to explore and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this festival.
