On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, crowds of locals and tourists gather in Gia Vien village, Hue to witness the Du Tien festival, a unique tradition that has been preserved for over 150 years.

The festival, which also takes place in other villages in Hue such as Quang Tho (Quang Dien district) and Dien Hoa (Phong Dien district), remains an essential part of the region’s cultural heritage.

A vibrant festival to welcome the new year

The people of Hue have a saying: “Three days of Tet, seven days of spring”, meaning the Lunar New Year is a time for rest, celebration, and cherishing the first moments of the year.

As the festival begins, the elderly village leader, dressed in a traditional ao dai and ceremonial headdress, sounds the first drumbeat, marking the start of the event. The opening ceremony includes ritual offerings and incense burning to honor the village’s founding deities.

Held every two years on the fourth day of Tet, the Du Tien festival is a time for the community to come together, participate in physical contests, and pray for prosperity, good weather, and bountiful harvests.

The preparation for an age-old competition

In the weeks leading up to the festival, organizers carefully select two sturdy, straight bamboo trees to construct the swinging poles in the village courtyard. The festival flags flutter atop the poles, while thick ropes are secured at the center to ensure safety for competitors.

According to Gia Vien village tradition, the festival is open to all villagers, but the main event - the flag-grabbing contest - is exclusively for men. Thirty strong young men are chosen to participate, including both locals and competitors from neighboring areas. Each contestant draws a random number to determine their order, and the tournament follows a knockout format.

A fierce competition in the air

As the 30 contestants take their turns, the atmosphere is electric. The cheers of the crowd echo throughout the village as the competitors swing higher and higher to grab the flag.

The key to victory lies in timing and technique. Competitors must build momentum, use their leg strength, and propel themselves to maximum height. The first participant to touch the red flag at the highest point is declared the winner.

The audience, consisting of villagers and tourists alike, watches with intense focus. Every daring swing is met with enthusiastic shouts and applause, adding to the festival’s festive spirit.

Honoring the best competitors

Unlike many competitions, the Du Tien festival does not crown just one winner. Instead, five top performers are awarded prizes:

The highest honor goes to the first contestant to reach the flag at the peak of the swing.

First, second, and third prizes are given to the next three competitors who successfully touch the flag.

The special ‘Breaker’ prize is awarded to the participant who manages to tear the flag from its position.

As the event concludes, the festival remains a powerful symbol of Hue’s cultural identity, bringing together generations of villagers and visitors alike.

Bao Kien