Quang Tri: Three traditional festivals added to national intangible cultural heritage list

The newly listed festivals include the Kim Phong Pagoda Festival on Than Dinh Mountain, the Khai Ha Festival of Tuong Son Village, and the Gianh River Boat Racing Festival. Each represents a unique facet of local identity and community spirit, rooted in longstanding cultural customs.

Held annually on the fifth day of the first lunar month, the Kim Phong Pagoda Festival on Than Dinh Mountain draws crowds of locals and visitors. The event features a peace-praying ceremony and a water procession, alongside various cultural performances and traditional folk games.

The Khai Ha Festival of Tuong Son Village marks the beginning of the lunar year with hopes for favourable weather, abundant harvests, and community wellbeing. Major activities include ritual offerings, martial arts displays by elder villagers, and traditional wrestling bouts.

Celebrated each year on September 2 to mark National Day, the Gianh River Boat Racing Festival combines prayers for agricultural prosperity with vibrant river competitions. The festival also aims to honour regional traditions, boost tourism, and support local socio-economic development.

With these additions, Quang Tri now has a total of 18 items on the national intangible cultural heritage list. The recognition will help strengthen heritage conservation initiatives and stimulate new programmes focused on sustainable tourism development in Quang Tri Province.