Phu Day Festival

Nam Dinh with nearly 400 places to worship Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh, is considered the center of Mother Goddess worship in Vietnam. Among them, Phu Day in Kim Thai commune (Vu Ban) is the focus of this religious practice. 

The Phu Day cultural and historical relic complex includes more than 20 relics associated with the miracles of the life of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh during her second birth. Among them, the most important structures are Phu Tien Huong (main palace), Phu Van Cat and the mausoleum of Lord Lieu. Phu Day Festival is held on the death anniversary of Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, "Mother's Death Anniversary March".

The Phu Day Festival intertwines and blends formal spiritual rituals such as: torch procession, prayer procession, flower staff festival, and dong festival with unique, rich and diverse folk cultural activities full of attractive colors such as: singing and literature competition, human chess playing, lion dancing, dragon dancing, martial arts fighting, wrestling, rice blowing competition...

From the 1-3rd day of the lunar calendar every year, the Festival takes place with main rituals such as: opening ceremony, water procession "moc duc" (bathing) the Saint statue, main festival (3-3rd lunar month), torch relay ceremony on the evening of the 5th day; procession of Mother Mary requesting sutras from Tien Huong government to Goi Pagoda; The "Flower Staff Festival" (also known as the word drawing festival) takes place in 3 days from the 7th to the 9th of the third lunar month.

Typical of the system of rituals in the Phu Day festival is the maid's ritual associated with singing bronze chants praising the merits of the Holy Mother and religious figures: Quan De Nhat, Mr. Hoang Muoi, Mr. Hoang Bay, Co Bo, Co Chin;... praising those who have made contributions to the country and the people; praising the beauty of our homeland...

Phu Day Festival integrates many historical values, cultural beliefs and folklore typical of wet rice farming residents in the Northern Delta, and indigenous beliefs of the Vietnamese people. Phu Day Festival has been registered as a national intangible cultural heritage; The Vietnamese people's practice of worshiping the Mother Goddess Three Palaces has been registered by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage representing humanity. 

         In March, spring rice blooms. The fields are like giant, lush green carpets surrounding the relic complex. Phu Day Festival with its processions and jubilant, bustling, and vibrant festival activities in the countryside like a colorful show will be an experience that brings deep and unforgettable feelings to visitors.