Yen The Festival 2025

Yen The Festival has been officially held since 1984, on the 100th anniversary of Yen The uprising. Since then, this celebration has become a festival for the people of Bac Giang province. The festival is usually held on March 16 yearly in Yen The District, Bac Giang Province.

History of the festival in Yen The

The celebration originates from the Harvest Festival in Phon Xuong. Since ancient times, residents of Trung village and Dong Nhan hamlet often organized this festival at Phon Xuong communal house, in Cau Go town, Yen The district, Bac Giang province in August and early September (lunar calendar). During the Yen The uprising, Hoang Hoa Tham (also known as De Tham) - the leader of the uprising, changed the festival's schedule to the middle of January (lunar calendar).

The Yen The festival originates from the Harvest Festival in Phon Xuong

After the Yen The Uprising failed, the Phon Xuong Festival was no longer held with the same scale and performance as before. Instead, Phon Xuong people often hold festivals on January 5 (the death anniversary of Hoang Hoa Tham) to commemorate this hero. In 1984, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Yen The uprising, Ha Bac Province decided to organize the Phon Xuong Festival on March 15, 16, and 17 every year and named it the Yen The Ceremony.

What to expect at the Yen The Festival?

The event is a major festival in Bac Giang Province and holds significant importance throughout Vietnam.

How does the celebration take place?

On March 16 every year, many people visit the festival in the early morning. At the gathering area, the groups participating in the festival have already prepared their clothes and dressed up, just waiting for the time for the ceremony.

This is also a demonstration of the strength, beauty, and majesty of the Bac Giang people. The government and people organize the opening ceremony, welcoming the team of horses from Ha Village to Phon Xuong. Then there is a parade of forces throughout the district and an incense offering to commemorate national hero Hoang Hoa Tham and soldiers who participated in the uprising. The procession of Phon Xuong commune carries the incense pot from Leo Pagoda to the festival area.

On March 16 every year, many people visit the Yen The Festival in the early morning

Leading the group is the lion dance group, the monk holding the five-element flag, and behind is the palanquin, and on the palanquin is placed a tray of sweet gourd sticky rice and a boiled pig's head. The palanquin is carried by four young men, on both sides there are two people holding parasols, behind them are the elderly people in traditional costumes, and finally the people of the commune, dressed neatly, enter the ceremony. The participants carrying the palanquin, flags, canopies, and parasols all wear red shirts and red scarves on their heads.

When the ceremony starts, the leader (province/district) on behalf of the Organizing Committee will have a speech to open the festival, reviewing the heroic tradition of Yen The insurgent army. After the opening speech, there are three acts of gongs and drums. Next, the Bac Giang Cheo Art Troupe will perform the flag-raising ceremony of the De Tham insurgent army in the past. After the solemn flag-offering ceremony, the delegations of the province, district, communes, and visitors, in turn, offer incense in front of the monument.

After the solemn flag-offering ceremony, people, in turn, offer incense in front of the monument

Activities in the Yen The Festival

Visitors can learn about the model of a combat village, witness relics from the Yen The Uprising, and engage in folk games such as martial arts competitions, wrestling, horse racing, crossbow shooting, archery, and stick pushing. They also see fish releasing and kite flying, attend rice cooking and cake wrapping contests, and enjoy the food. In addition to festive activities, visitors learn about the Yen The potential and strengths in socioeconomic growth, as well as Yen The signature items such as hill chicken, mountain goat, and tea.

Visitors can learn about the model of a combat village, witness relics from the Yen The Uprising

The Yen The Festival has encouraged the spirit of Yen The people in particular, and the Bac Giang people in general, to look towards national heroes and martyrs, and to pray for good things for family and society. Let’s plan a trip to Vietnam in March to join in this amazing festival.