More than just a traditional festival, this is an invitation to step away from the pace of urban life and enter a familiar cultural space—where every experience carries the story of the land and its people.
Taking place on 28–29 March 2026 (the 10th–11th days of the second lunar month, Year of the Horse) at Bo Ban Communal House, Bo Ban Village, Hoa Vang, Da Nang, the festival unfolds as a gentle call to return to the original values of rural life—where community and cultural traditions continue to be preserved in an organic and authentic way. In this setting, the communal house is not only the venue but also a centre that connects collective memory with the spiritual life of local residents.
Recognised as a National Architectural and Artistic Relic since 1999, Bo Ban Communal House stands as a lasting cultural anchor, preserving layers of history and tradition passed down through generations. This foundation gives depth to the festival, where each activity is not merely part of a programme, but a continuation of values shaped over time.
Held every three years, the festival becomes a meaningful occasion for the community to honour their ancestors, express wishes for peace and prosperity, and revive traditions closely tied to village life. The 2026 edition marks the 8th time the festival is organised—not simply a cyclical event, but another moment where these values are retold, experienced, and felt in a way that resonates more closely with each visitor.
A journey of cultural experience – From rituals to everyday community life
On 28 March, the festival begins at Bo Ban Communal House with the traditional prayer ceremony (7:30 – 9:00). Here, visitors do not simply watch a ritual—they step into a different atmosphere. The scent of incense, the steady rhythm of the ceremony, and the quiet focus of local participants create a rare sense of stillness, as if everything slows down to make space for inner connection.
Leaving that space, Ben Cham on the Bo Ban River brings a completely different energy with the boat racing activity (9:00 – 11:00). The sound of splashing water, cheering voices, and powerful rowing rhythms create an atmosphere so engaging that visitors are naturally drawn into the excitement, carried along by the energy of a festival flowing across the river.
At the communal yard (14:00 – 18:00), the experience shifts to something closer, more playful, and deeply rooted in everyday life. Visitors can try pounding rice, climbing banana trees, lifting water, or catching fish—or simply stand among the crowd and feel the shared laughter. These activities are not only entertaining; they offer a natural way to understand how local people once lived and worked.
As the space lights up (19:00 – 22:00), the atmosphere becomes softer and more emotional. Tuong (classical opera), Bai Choi, and traditional performances unfold right in the communal yard, without the distance of a formal stage. Visitors can watch, listen, and immerse themselves in stories of culture being told in real time.
On 29 March, the opening programme (from 7:30) creates a sense of ceremony that remains warm and welcoming. As the festival drums resound and the incense offering ritual takes place (8:30 – 10:00), a special sense of connection emerges—not only between people and their beliefs, but also among everyone sharing that space.
The experience then returns to simple, everyday moments (10:00 – 11:30). Visitors can try making banh xeo or banh goi, join in cheering for traditional competitions, or pause at the calligraphy corner to receive a meaningful character as a keepsake. Sometimes, it is these small, unassuming moments that make a journey truly memorable—quietly, yet deeply.
At the end of the journey, what lingers is not just the vibrancy of the festival, but the feeling of connection—to village life, to cultural memory, and to the original values still present in everyday life. The Bo Ban Communal House Festival is therefore not only an event, but an emotional experience—where every step opens up a unique story of Da Nang.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
