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The Lim Festival is one of the most well-known traditional festivals in the Kinh Bac area of Bac Ninh. Taking place every early spring, it is a special occasion for locals to celebrate Quan Ho folk songs and keep their long-standing cultural traditions alive.
The Lim Festival is one of the most famous events in Bac Ninh, showing the unique culture of the Kinh Bac region and drawing thousands of visitors from all over the country each year. The main activities take place around Hong Van Mountain, also called Lim Mountain, and the nearby Van Tuong Lake, where the festive atmosphere is at its most vibrant.
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Lim festival in Bac Ninh
The Lim Festival is not only a tribute to the art of Quan Ho folk singing but also a vivid expression of the spiritual life and folk beliefs of the local people. During the festival days, both residents and visitors joyfully gather to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and enjoy soulful Quan Ho performances by “liền anh” (male singers) and “liền chị” (female singers), dressed in traditional costumes.
The Lim Festival in Bac Ninh is divided into two main parts: the ceremonial rituals and the festive activities.
The ceremonial part of the festival includes traditional offerings and long-established rituals to honor local gods and historical figures who played an important role in the region’s history. Through these meaningful ceremonies, the community shows its respect and gratitude, while keeping the spiritual and sacred spirit of the festival alive year after year.
The traditional folk game of human chess at Lim Festival.
The festive activities is vibrant and lively, with a wide range of traditional games and cultural performances that attract large numbers of locals and visitors.
The highlight of the Lim Festival is the enchanting melodies of Quan Ho Folk Songs. The performances begin on the 12th day of the first lunar month at Lim, especially around Hong An Pagoda courtyard and the Quan Ho singing tents, then spread to communal houses and pagodas throughout the area.
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Quan Ho Singing on the boats
One of the unique features of Quan Ho singing at Lim Festival is that it is not confined to a single stage. Performances can take place indoors, in communal house courtyards, in front of pagodas, or even on small round boats floating on ponds and lakes - creating a poetic and immersive cultural setting.
Visitors to the festival will be captivated by the image of male singers dressed in traditional long tunics and black turbans, and female singers wearing layered costumes with large flat palm hats. Their heartfelt, melodic exchanges create a lively cultural space rich in heritage and meaning.
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In addition to its distinctive artistic space, the Lim Festival in Bac Ninh also preserves and promotes many solemn traditional rituals, clearly reflecting the spiritual and cultural life of Bac Ninh.
Incense Offering
The incense offering ceremony is one of the important rituals at the Lim Festival, held at Hong An Pagoda on the 12th day of the first lunar month. This site is also the mausoleum of General Nguyen Dinh Dien, who is considered the founder of the Quan Ho singing tradition.
The incense offering ceremony is conducted to pray for peace, blessings, and abundant harvests for the people of the Kinh Bac region.
Grand Procession
On the morning of the 13th day of the first lunar month, the procession officially begins. The procession includes the participation of thousands of local people dressed in solemn and dignified traditional costumes.
The procession moves in order by village, with each palanquin, each Quan Ho group, each dance group, and each music group following in sequence.
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Grand Procession in Lim Festival
The procession starts from Dinh Ca Communal House and proceeds to Lo Bao Communal House. The atmosphere on the main festival day is extremely lively and crowded, attracting thousands of visitors who come to witness the grand procession.
Sacrificial Ceremony
This is the final ritual in the ceremonial part of the Lim Festival, held in the afternoon of the same day at different locations. The sacrificial ceremony is dedicated to the village guardian deities, noble officials, and loyal men and virtuous women who made contributions to the country.
During the ceremony, there is also a ritual singing performance offered to the deities by male and female Quan Ho singers from Noi Due. The singing team stands in a line in front of the mausoleum gate, singing toward the inside, and they are only allowed to perform in the traditional “le loi” style.
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In addition to the sweet and profound melodies of Quan Ho Folk Songs, the Lim Festival in Bac Ninh is also a lively stage for many traditional folk games. Visitors attending the festival can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of intense wrestling matches, watch dramatic human chess games, or enjoy entertaining activities such as cockfighting and traditional swing performances.
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Wrestling matches in Lim Festival
Depending on the year and the specific venue, the Lim Festival may also feature unique competitions such as silk weaving and rice cooking contests. These activities are not only for entertainment but also demonstrate the skillfulness and strong community spirit of the people of Bac Ninh, both in the past and present.
Visitors to the Lim Festival also have the opportunity to enjoy local cuisine and shop for famous Bac Ninh specialties. One must-try delicacy is Dinh Bang “phu the” cake - a soft, fragrant cake with a gentle sweetness. Another well-known specialty is Bui nem, known for its rich and traditional flavor.
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Don't forget to try the sticky rice cake from Diem village when you visit the festival.
In addition, Cho Village “banh te” is a rustic dish featuring a smooth outer layer and a flavorful filling of pork and wood ear mushrooms.
The Lim Festival is also an ideal place for visitors to purchase finely crafted handicrafts that reflect the cultural identity of the Kinh Bac region as meaningful souvenirs.
The Lim Festival in Bac Ninh is a true “living museum,” where art, spiritual beliefs, and community life of the Kinh Bac region harmoniously come together. The sweet melodies of Quan Ho Folk Songs, solemn traditional rituals, and the vibrant festive atmosphere have created the distinctive charm of the Lim Festival. If you are planning a trip to Bac Ninh, the Northern Vietnam tours offered by Asia King Travel are an option not to be missed.
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