Ba Be Long Tong Festival 2025: A Vibrant Celebration of Vietnam’s Ethnic Heritage

Save the date! The Ba Be Long Tong Festival 2026 will take place from February 6 to 8 at Bo Lu village, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district.

Known as Lễ hội Lồng Tồng in Vietnamese, the Long Tong Festival is one of the most significant and colorful traditional celebrations in Vietnam’s Bac Kan province. Held in the breathtaking natural setting of Ba Be National Park, this festival is deeply rooted in the spiritual and agricultural traditions of the Tay ethnic group and other local communities.

Each year, thousands of visitors from all over Vietnam and beyond gather at Ba Be Lake to take part in this intangible cultural heritage event, which features a harmonious blend of religious ceremonies, folk games, traditional performances, and community gatherings. If you’re planning to visit Northern Vietnam in early 2025, this festival is an unmissable cultural experience!

Ba Be National Park: The Stunning Backdrop of Long Tong Festival

Nestled in the heart of Northern Vietnam, Ba Be National Park is often referred to as Vietnam’s “Green Jewel.” Home to one of the world’s largest natural freshwater lakes, this UNESCO-recognized site boasts spectacular limestone karsts, dense tropical forests, underground rivers, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

The Long Tong Festival takes place on a vast riverside plain along Ba Be Lake, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in both the natural wonders and rich cultural traditions of the region. Beyond the festival, you can:

• Sail across Ba Be Lake, one of the most pristine and biodiverse bodies of water in Asia.
• Explore Dau Dang Waterfall, a hidden gem surrounded by ancient forests.
• Venture into Puong Cave and Hua Ma Cave, famous for their magnificent stalactites and underground rivers.
• Trek through Ba Be’s primary rainforest, home to rare animal species like langurs and hornbills.
• Visit Tham Phay Cave, often called “the Son Doong of the North,” an unspoiled caving paradise.

This fusion of breathtaking nature and deep-rooted traditions makes the Long Tong Festival even more special.

What to Expect at Ba Be Long Tong Festival 2025?

1. A Sacred Beginning: Rituals and Ceremonies

The festival opens with a spiritual ceremony at An Ma Temple, a sacred site located on a small island in Ba Be Lake. Local people offer incense and traditional food offerings to pray for good fortune, a prosperous harvest, and harmony between humans and nature.

The ritual involves setting up a bamboo altar, where villagers present beautifully arranged offerings of glutinous rice, grilled fish, boiled chicken, and symbolic red and yellow rice dishes—representing the sun and the moon. This solemn event reflects the deep spiritual beliefs of the Tay people and their strong connection to the land, water, and ancestral spirits.

2. Traditional Performances and Cultural Exchanges

Once the ceremonies conclude, the festivities begin! The 2025 festival will feature a variety of traditional music, dance, and theatrical performances, including:

• Then Singing – A spiritual and poetic musical genre performed by the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups.
• Sli Singing – A call-and-response folk singing tradition, reflecting the beauty of Tay culture.
• The “Bowl Dance” – A captivating folk dance, recognized as intangible cultural heritage in 2022, where performers gracefully balance bowls on their hands while moving in sync with traditional rhythms.

These performances create a magical atmosphere, where past and present converge through music and dance.

3. Folk Games and Community Sports

The Long Tong Festival is also a time for fun and friendly competitions, bringing the community together through traditional folk games and sports. Some highlights include:

• Ném Còn (Con Throwing): A Tay game where players throw a brightly colored cloth ball through a high bamboo hoop—symbolizing luck and good fortune.
• Tug-of-War (Kéo Co): A powerful test of teamwork and endurance, officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
• Pirogue Races (Đua Thuyền Độc Mộc): Participants race across Ba Be Lake in traditional handcrafted dugout canoes, demonstrating their skill and coordination on the water.
• Stilt Walking & Puppet Shows: Entertaining and skillful performances that highlight the region’s folk traditions.
• Archery, Shot-Putting, and Volleyball: Modern sports are integrated to keep the festival dynamic and engaging for all ages.

4. Special 2025 Highlights: Fireworks & Floating Lanterns

For 2025, the festival is introducing new and spectacular nighttime activities, including:

• A fireworks display over Ba Be Lake, creating a breathtaking scene against the karst mountains.
• Floating lanterns released onto the water, symbolizing peace, happiness, and wishes for the new year.

5. Local Cuisine and Traditional Handicrafts

No festival is complete without delicious food and local crafts! During the Long Tong Festival, visitors can explore local market stalls showcasing Bac Kan’s finest culinary specialties, including:

• Grilled Ba Be fish, freshly caught from the lake and cooked over an open flame.
• Sticky rice in bamboo tubes, a fragrant dish wrapped in banana leaves.
• Five-color glutinous rice, dyed with natural plant extracts, representing the elements of the universe.
• Young corn wine (Rượu Ngô), a traditional homemade liquor with a distinct mountain flavor.
• Handwoven textiles, bamboo crafts, and wooden carvings, perfect souvenirs to bring home a piece of Bac Kan’s heritage.

These authentic cultural experiences allow visitors to truly connect with the local way of life.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Long Tong Festival 2025

Attending the Ba Be Long Tong Festival is more than just witnessing a celebration—it’s a chance to:
✅ Experience a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage event.
✅ Immerse yourself in the traditions of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.
✅ Enjoy thrilling folk games, dances, and water sports.
✅ Explore Ba Be National Park’s breathtaking landscapes.
✅ Savor delicious, authentic local cuisine.

Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, adventure traveler, or photography lover, this festival offers a truly unforgettable journey into the heart of Vietnam’s rich heritage and stunning natural beauty.

Plan Your Visit

📍 Location: Bo Lu Village, Nam Mau Commune, Ba Be District, Bac Kan Province
📅 Dates: February 6 – 8, 2025
🚗 How to Get There: From Hanoi, you can reach Ba Be by car, motorbike, or a guided tour (approximately 5–6 hours).

Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind cultural event! Start planning your trip to Ba Be Long Tong Festival 2025 today!