Spring festivals in the North     PANO - Every year, when the spring comes, villages across the country organize festivals matching their different customs and traditions… Trieu KhucVillage festival Trieu Khuc Village in Tan Trieu Commune, Thanh Tri District, Hanoi, upholds an intangible heritage - the “bong” dance. Differently from other dances, it is only performed in the festival in the first and eighth months of annual lunar year to in honor of its spirit protector King Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung. Because women are not allowed to enter places of warship in the traditional conception, village’s men have to disguise as girls. The men should be unmarried, handsome and able to dance. The whole ceremony is designed to spray for peace and prosperity for the village. Ta Phin singing festival On January 8th on lunar calendar, Dao ethnic people in Ta Phin Commune (Sapa, Lao Cai Province) organize an early year singing festival to pray for health, love and good harvest, which always draws a large number of domestic and foreign visitors to discover the culture of Dao group. Attending the event, participants have an opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere of local cultural and sports activities, such as a ritual to bring home a bride of Red Dao people, shooting with crossbow, walking on bamboo bridges and stilts, climbing pole, blind man’s buff and “con” throwing, to name but a few. Lim festival The famous event is annually held on 13th day of the 1st lunar month on Lim Hill where the Lim Pagoda is located, in Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province. There are many folk activities held in the festival but the most impressive point is “Quan ho” (love duet) singing which was recognized as the intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2009. “Quan ho” is famous for a huge number of melodies with different songs in the repertoire deal with topics of love and sentimentality as experienced by young adults, making a strong impression on the audience. Hien Quan “Phet” playing festival Every year on January 12th and 13th of lunar calendar, villagers in Hien Quan Commune, Tam Nong District, Phu Tho Province, jubilantly organize a traditional festival known as “Phet” (wooden balls) playing. It aims to commemorate female General Thieu Hoa who helped the Trung Sisters (40-43 AD) defeat the invaders to protect the country and promote a national sporting spirit. The festival includes four events of a palanquin procession, offering rites, a parade of troops and playing “Phet”. Of which, the “Phet” playing is the most exciting event on the 13th of lunar January. To prepare for this event, the organization board prepares a set of red-lacquered Phet making from old bamboo stumps or jackfruit wood. It is believed that those who win the “Phet” balls will bring good luck for their family and village in the New Year. Thus, the game often takes place ebulliently and fiercely and draws thousands of participants. 10. Hai Luu buffalo fighting festival The festival is held on January 16th and 17th on lunar calendar in Hai Luu Commune, Song Lo District, Vinh Phuc Province. According to the legend, it starts in the 2nd century. However, it was revived in 2002 after a long time it got lost for some reasons. Annually, between July and August, people in Hai Luu come up provinces of Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang and Lai Chau to buy good buffalos to breed and train them “fighters” for the coming festival. After the event ends, both the winners and losers are killed for worshipping the Heaven and the Earth and then feeding to the crowd. Translated by Van Hieu