This year the festival taking place from March 8 to 10 has attracted thousands of Buddhist followers, as well as domestic and foreign tourists.
The religious ritual is one of the main traditional festivals associated with Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) and the religious life of local residents.
By participating in the festival, pilgrims wish to honour Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and at the same time prayfor peace and prosperity for the country as a whole. (Photo: VTCnews)
The festival comprises various rituals associated with Buddhism, featuring a range of cultural and sporting activities that include an incense-offering ceremony; traditional boat-racing; a praying ceremony; Buddhism indoctrination; and exhibitions of paintings, photos, and calligraphy.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Ngo Thi Kim Yen, deputy head of the Da nang municipal administration, notes the festival contributes to preserving the national cultural tradition and promoting Da Nang as a tourist destination among domestic and foreign visitors. (Photo: VTCnews)
The festival has been officially held since 1956. Starting from 1991 it has lasted for three days and always takes place from the 17th to the 19th days of the second lunar month. (Photo: VTCnews)
In 2000 the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism listed the festival as one of the 15 biggest national festivals. (Photo: VTCnews)
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision on February 3, adding the festival to the list of national intangible cultural heritage. (Photo: VTCnews)
The recognition brings the number of national intangible culture heritages in Da Nang up to six, including the stone engraving products of Non Nuoc stone carving village and the Cau Ngu (whale worshipping) festival - a spiritual ritual of fishing communities in coastal Vietnam where residents pray for a bumper fishing year and for peace. (Photo: VTCnews)