All things You Need to Know About Giong Festival in Vietnam

UNESCO has identified the Giong festival in Hanoi, among the most famous celebrations in Vietnam, as an intangible cultural legacy of the planet. Vietnamese people have a fantastic opportunity to honour national heroes and demonstrate their loyalty to their nation. Coming here, you can so greatly expand your understanding on Vietnamese history and culture.

What is Giong Festival?

Among the most outstanding heroes, a person successfully defeated the Chinese invader from the past is Saint Giong. When he was small, he was unable of speaking or smiling. But he ate a lot and grew up fast after learning of the Yin coming to attack his nation. A few months later he grew to be a huge and heroic guy. 

Performers reenacting Saint Giong's legend with dragon flag processions

He requested the king a long sword and an iron horse before departing. He made every effort to defend the territory and the people against the opponent in the conflict. He then ascended Soc Son mountain and soaringly entered the heavens.

The local residents then built a temple to honor Saint Giong and celebrate this holiday every year. 

Read more: Lim festival

When are Giong Festivals held?

Giong Saint celebrates two times a year and is held in Phu Dong Temple first, then, Soc Temple hosts the second one. Whereas at Soc Temple the time starts from the sixth to the eighth of the 1st lunar month, at Phu Dong Temple the time starts on the eighth and ninth day of the fourth lunar month.

In 2025, the Saint Giong Festivals in Vietnam are scheduled:

Read more: Hung King Temple Festival

Things to see in Phu Dong and Soc temples at Giong Festival

Depending the location that you wish to visit, it will allow you to experience several kinds of celebrations and activities. 

1. Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple

Saint Giong birthplace is Phu Dong. Consequently, the celebration of the feast here is bigger than that at the Soc Temple. Every person in this village will bring boiled rice to Upper Temple together with salted egg-plants and flags to temple. 

People will also participate in the folk stage to show Saint Giong's war against the Yin in action. 28 men and women will be attending to imitating the fight. Every change of the movements in the combat will be described by the sound of drums and gongs. Apart from ceremonial events, locals and guests can engage in a multitude of traditional games here. 

Dragon dance performance

2. Giong Festival at Soc Temple

Hanoi's Phu Linh Commune in the Soc Son District hosts Soc Temple. Beacause Saint Giong raised himself to heaven here. There is a unique ceremony with plenty of offerings few days before the event. Then, people clean Saint Giong's monument the following day and get ready for the big day.

The festival will feature several exciting events on the seventh day including cheerful folk games and classic singing performances. And they take place following Saint Giong's sanctification.

Sacred ritual honoring Saint Giong at Soc Temple in Hanoi

How to get Giong festival? 

Getting to Giong celebrations is really simple, especially if you are staying in Hanoi, Vietnam. For the Phu Dong Temple Festival, located in Gia Lâm District about 17 km east of Hanoi's city center, you can travel by taxi, motorbike, or take a local bus. For the Soc Temple Festival in Soc Son District, approximately 40 km north of Hanoi, the most convenient options are also taxis, motorbikes, or buses. 

If you're staying in Hanoi, you should arrange transportation in advance, especially during the festival, as roads may be crowded. Vietnam Budget Car Rental is an excellent option, we offer a variety of vehicles from sedans, SUVs, minivans. Our professional drivers are well-versed in the routes to Phu Dong Temple and Soc Temple, ensuring a smooth and convenient trip. You can read more about rent a car with driver in Hanoi.