Special cultural festival

Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival on Sam Mountain is a large festival, imbued with the cultural identity of the people of the Southwest region, taking place from April 22 to 27 (lunar calendar) every year, at Nui Sam ward (Chau Doc city). In the beliefs of the Kinh people, Ba Chua Xu is part of the Holy Mother system, worshiped in the temple and organized related practices such as festivals, sacrifices and other forms of folk performances. According to legend, Ba Chua Xu was sent by the Jade Emperor to save the people and protect the country. She is also one of the 6 immortal goddesses according to folk beliefs (Ba Chua Bau, Ba Chua Lieu, Ba Chua To, Ba Chua Kho, Ba Chua Ngoc, Ba Chua Xu).

The festival represents the identity and continuity of Kinh community in the process of cultural exchange with the Chinese, Khmer, and Cham people. The festival honoring Ba Chua Xu is also an opportunity for people to express their gratitude and respect for the Goddess. Over time, people not only from Chau Doc city, the Southwest region, but also from all over the country come to visit Her. In addition to the ceremony, the locality also organizes festivals and cultural - sports activities, games, and folk performances to serve and meet the needs of people and tourists.

The rituals, customs and ritual practice skills in Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival of Sam Mountain have been passed down in families and communities through words of mouth, direct practice and participation in the festival. The festival contributes to promoting cultural exchange, community cohesion and national harmony, while affirming the important role of women in society and the contributions of our ancestors in building the country. “Through “practical” activities, the festival has “transmitted” to today’s generation a better understanding of customs, ethics, and social communication from stories of the process of reclaiming, opening up, and protecting the Southern lands of the Fatherland, the worldview and outlook on life of our ancestors... Thereby, contributing to educating the younger generation about patriotism, love for the homeland, and respect for the values of origin...” - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of An Giang Provincial Party Committee Le Hong Quang emphasized.
The honor and pride

In 2014, Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2023, Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival on Sam Mountain was honored as a "Typical Cultural Activity of Asia – Pacific region". On December 04, 2024, Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival on Sam Mountain was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is one of 66 proposals considered during the session and is the 16th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO. Thus, in the Southern region, in addition to Don Ca Tai Tu, which was included in the UNESCO Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (in 2013), Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival on Sam Mountain is the second heritage and the first traditional festival of the Southern region to receive this honor.

According to the General Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), UNESCO's recognition of Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival on Sam Mountain as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity will raise community awareness in jointly organizing, managing and preserving common heritage, connecting ethnic communities in Vietnam. From there, it will enhance cultural respect in expressing the common aspiration for a peaceful life, favorable weather, prosperity and well-being. At the same time, it will contribute to sharing the form of festival practice, affirming the role of rituals that are culturally compatible with communities, reflecting cultural diversity. The festival recognized by UNESCO will promote understanding and dialogue between ethnic communities with Goddess worship in Vietnam, Southeast Asia and the world, promoting spiritual and cultural creations of ethnic groups and contributing to identifying cultural similarities between ethnic groups.

“Ba Chau Xu Temple Festival of Sam Mountain in An Giang recognized by UNESCO as a representative  intangible cultural heritage of humanity has affirmed the integrity, authenticity and outstanding global value of this unique heritage. This is an event of special significance, a great honor for the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups in An Giang province. Thereby, it contributes to widely promoting to the people and tourists at home and abroad the typical and unique cultural values of the land and people of An Giang. This is also a practical product to welcome the 12th Congress of An Giang Provincial Party Committee (term 2025 - 2030). At the same time, it is the pride of the people of the whole country, because the honored heritage further contributes to affirming the diversity and rich values of Vietnamese national culture in the context of development and integration" - Secretary of An Giang Provincial Party Committee Le Hong Quang expressed.

Secretary of Chau Doc City Party Committee Lam Quang Thi said: “Chau Doc is honored and proud that UNESCO has recognized Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival of Sam Mountain; at the same time, it also sets a great responsibility for the Party Committee, government and people of Chau Doc City in preserving and promoting the value of the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. We will join hands and unite to practice, preserve and promote the value of the heritage, further enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the community. Thereby, promoting sustainable economic, cultural and social development”.

News by Thu Thao

Translation by Hoang Oanh