Đà Nẵng Villagers Honor Farming God

Why this is here: The festival, organized annually on the first day of the fourth lunar month, features children dressing as herders and riding buffalo, recreating scenes from village life.

People in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam held a procession honoring the God of Agriculture and performed a ceremony before a sacred stone as part of the Phong Lệ Herdsman Festival. The two-day festival took place at the Than Nong Shrine, Con Than, and the villages of Phong Nam and Phong Lệ. It stems from local beliefs about Than Nong protecting crops and ensuring a good harvest, traditions passed down through generations after the winter-spring harvest.

Around 5 PM, a procession with drums, flags, and flowers departed from the Than Nong Shrine. It moved through residential areas and then to the village fields for a ceremony. Many children dressed as farmers and herders joined the festivities with lanterns and traditional games.

This year marks the first festival since local administrative units merged, but the community continues to preserve its cultural traditions. Organizers note the festival reflects the rich spiritual life of rural communities and fosters a sense of shared identity. The event also included discussions about local culture and traditional performances.