The Ban Vuong Festival is one of the traditional festivals of the Dao ethnic people across the country. In particular, Quang Ninh Province has recently revived and preserved this unique cultural feature.
Ban Vuong Festival – Ritual Commemorating the Ancestor of the 12 Dao Clans
The Dao ethnic group has a long history of migration driven by war and climate change. Over time, they gradually divided into many subgroups, with variations developing in their language and traditional attire. Their beliefs, forms of folk culture, and housing also show differences.
The area where the Ban Vuong Festival takes place. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Yet, all Dao subgroups share one common thread: the worship of Ban Vuong. The custom of worshipping Ban Vuong and the Ban Vuong Festival represent a hallmark in the spiritual life of the Dao people in Ba Che, Quang Ninh, as well as the Dao community as a whole.
Reenactment of the voyage across the sea to new lands. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Legend has it that Ban Ho (Ban Vuong) was a Dragon Dog three thuoc long, with black fur striped in velvet-smooth gold, deeply beloved by King Binh Vuong. One day, King Cao Vuong launched an invasion, plunging the people into misery. The king dispatched many brave soldiers and talented generals to defend the frontier borders.
Arriving at Ban Vuong Temple. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Ban Ho then devised a strategy that helped the king defeat Cao Vuong. After defeating the invaders, Ban Ho transformed into a handsome young man; King Binh Vuong was overjoyed, married the Third Princess to him, and bestowed upon him the royal title of Ban Vuong.
The procession offering local produce. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
They gave birth to 12 children, 6 boys and 6 girls, who were granted 12 clan surnames by King Binh Vuong. After the royal father passed away, Ban Vuong ascended the throne but maintained a simple way of life, teaching the people how to grow wet rice and weave fabric. Following Ban Vuong's death, generations of descendants have continued to hold rituals in his commemoration, which is known as the Ban Vuong Festival.
Fire-jumping spirit trance ritual. Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper.
The Ban Vuong ritual is deeply imbued with humanitarian values as it guides people to always remember their origins. The ritual also serves as a bond connecting communities, clans, and villages.
District leaders offering incense. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The Ban Vuong Festival is also held to introduce and promote the cultural characteristics, rituals, and beliefs of the Dao ethnic group in Ba Che District. It reenacts several rituals, such as the "sea voyage" of the 12 Dao clans across 12 boats arriving in a new land to settle and establish their livelihoods.
The 12 Dao clans. Photo: VOV.
In addition, there are rituals offering offerings and specialty fruits to the ancestor Ban Vuong at Ban Vuong Temple, along with typical rites praying for favorable weather, bountiful crops, prosperity, and happiness for the people.
Boats sailing toward Ban Vuong Temple. Photo: VOV.
From early morning, delegations representing the 12 Dao clans, adorned in their most magnificent traditional attire, gather at the boat dock near the Ong Temple area to board 12 boats representing the 12 clans crossing the sea to a new land.
Offerings presented to Ban Vuong. Photo: VOV.
To the resonant beats of drums and gongs, the boats glide along the Ba Che River while crowds along the shore head toward Ban Vuong Temple to offer gifts such as Morinda officinalis (ba kich), golden camellia tea, herbal medicines, corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, sugarcane, vegetables, dog, chicken, pork...
In orderly succession, representatives of the 12 Dao clans reverently offer incense, flowers, and ritual gifts to Ban Vuong with heartfelt veneration.
Turtle dance performed by the shamans. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
During the Ban Vuong sacrificial ceremonies, several activities take place within the ritual series, including the turtle dance, fire-jumping spirit possession, and pestle wrestling. These are mystical activities that also reflect the cultural beauty of the Ba Che Dao people.
Singing and dancing after the ceremony. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The Ban Vuong Festival contributes to preserving and promoting cultural values in conjunction with community-based tourism development, while promoting tourism potential through the cultural traditions, religious rituals, and community life of the Dao people in particular and ethnic minorities in Quang Ninh in general.
