Quan The Am Festival in Da Nang achieves national heritage status

Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Festival, which is held annually at the Quan The Am Pagoda in Ngu Hanh Son District, in the central city of Da Nang, has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, according to a recent decision signed by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The festival aims to worship Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and pray for peace and prosperity for the people. (Photo: danang.gov.vn)
The festival aims to worship Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and pray for peace and prosperity for the people. (Photo: danang.gov.vn)

The traditional festival is held on the 17th, 18th and 19th days of the second lunar month to worship Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and pray for peace and prosperity for the people.

The festival includes religious ceremonies and festive activities, including a procession, a peace praying ceremony, a tea ceremony, a lantern release ritual, a boat race, folklore singing performances, and folk games.

In 2000, Quan The Am Festival was listed among the 15 biggest ritual festivals in Vietnam. It attracts thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns, followers, and visitors from across the country every year.

Quan The Am Pagoda, built in 1957, is located at the foot of the Kim Son (Metal Mountain) in the Ngu Hanh Son (Five Element Mountains), which boasts beautiful natural landscapes with ancient pagodas, mysterious caves and picturesque scenery