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LINH SON THANH MAU FESTIVAL - DISCOVER THE FIRST-EVER FRUIT SCULPTING FESTIVAL AT BA DEN MOUNTAIN

From June 18 to 21 (corresponding to the 4th to 7th day of the 5th lunar month), Ba Den Mountain will become the epicenter of the largest spiritual festival season in Southern Vietnam, featuring a series of special activities within the framework of the Linh Son Thanh Mau (Linh Son Holy Mother) Festival. Notably, this year marks the very first time the Fruit Sculpting Artisans Festival is held on the peak of Ba Den Mountain, offering a unique cultural space that blends folk art with traditional beliefs.

Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival – A Unique Belief Heritage of the South

The Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival is one of the most important religious festivals in the Southern region, attracting millions of pilgrims every year who come to pray for peace, health, and good fortune.

This year’s festival season kicks off with the Moc Duc (Statue Bathing) ritual, which takes place at 00:00 on June 18 at Dien Ba (The Goddess Palace). This is a sacred ritual performed in a solemn atmosphere using fragrant water brewed from lotus, jasmine, plumeria, cinnamon, and various herbs. Following the bathing ritual, the Goddess statue is dressed in new robes before the palace opens its doors to welcome visitors from all over to pay their respects.

Throughout the festival, Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda and Dien Ba will host numerous traditional rituals, including announcement ceremonies, noon offerings, Buddhist chanting, the presentation of offerings, and other religious activities in accordance with ancient customs.

Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival (Collected photo)

First-Ever Fruit Sculpting Artisans Festival

The most outstanding highlight of this year's festival is the Fruit Sculpting Artisans Festival, being held for the first time on the peak of Ba Den Mountain.

The event gathers a large number of artisans from Tay Ninh and many other provinces across the country, showcasing unique artworks crafted from regional specialty fruits.

Under the theme "Van Phap Tu Linh Sơn" (All Dharmas Converge on Linh Son), the artworks draw inspiration from Buddhist culture and famous spiritual landmarks on the peak of Ba Den Mountain, such as the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha Statue, the Maitreya Bodhisattva Statue, and the Kanakamuni Buddha Statue.

In addition to touring the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to taste local fruits, interact with the artisans, and enjoy many special art performances taking place throughout the festival.

Fruit Sculpting Artisans Festival (Collected photo)

The Art Pathway Recreating the Legend of Ba Den

A special cultural experience is the Linh Son Thanh Mau Art Pathway, featuring 20 large-scale artworks that recreate the life of Ly Thi Thien Huong – the character closely associated with the legend of Ba Den.

Through vivid and emotional strokes, visitors will learn the story of the young woman who frequently climbed the mountain to worship Buddha, the tragedy that led her to throw herself off the mountain to preserve her virtue, and her subsequent manifestations to help Nguyen Anh, which later led King Gia Long to bestow upon her the title "Linh Son Thanh Mau".

This artistic space contributes to recreating one of Tay Ninh's most famous legends through contemporary visual arts, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of the history of the Ba Den worship belief that has existed for centuries.

The Art Pathway Recreating the Legend of Ba Den (Collected photo)

A Folk Festival Atmosphere Rich in Southern Identity

In parallel with the religious rituals, the area around Ba Pagoda will host various unique folk cultural activities, including:

• Dragon and Lion dances
• Golden tray dances
• Flower offerings and five-fruit tray offerings
• Hat bong roi (folk singing and performance ritual)
• Cai luong (reformed opera) performances
• Tuong (classical drama) performances
• Traditional Southern art programs

These activities create a vibrant festival atmosphere rich in Southern cultural identity, drawing a large number of tourists and locals alike.

A Shimmering Lantern Offering Ceremony on the Sacred Peak

On the evening of June 20, the Lantern Offering Ceremony will be held at the square at the foot of the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha Statue.

Thousands of lanterns will be lit, creating a magical scene on the highest peak in Southern Vietnam. This is a moment for Buddhists and visitors to send their prayers for peace, health, happiness, and luck for themselves and their families.

Shimmering Lantern Offering Ceremony on the Sacred Peak (Collected photo)

Cable Car Promotion for the Goddess Festival

On the occasion of the festival, Sun World Ba Den Mountain is launching a promotional program for cable car tickets.

If you have the chance to visit Tay Ninh during the 5th lunar month, do not miss the opportunity to join the Linh Son Thanh Mau Festival to immerse yourself in a sacred spiritual space, explore unique cultural activities, and admire the fruit sculpting festival appearing for the first time on the peak of Ba Den Mountain.