TL;DR: The Bái Đính Pagoda festival opening takes place on the morning of the sixth day of the first lunar month and runs until the end of the third lunar month, with two parts: the ritual part with incense offering, the lục cúng offering, worship of the deity Cao Sơn, commemoration of National Master Nguyễn Minh Không and a palanquin procession to the ancient pagoda; and the festive part with folk arts and games. The ancient Bái Đính Pagoda lies within caves on Núi Đính, while the new pagoda complex was built and expanded with grand architecture and hosts the main rituals.
What is the Bái Đính Pagoda festival opening on the sixth day of Tết?
The Bái Đính Pagoda festival opening is a major Buddhist spring festival, officially opening on the morning of the sixth day of the first lunar month and running until the end of the third lunar month[1][3]. In 2026, the opening falls on 22 February[2]. In 2024, it took place on 15 February (the sixth day of the first lunar month of the Giáp Thìn year)[1].
The festival has two parts: the ritual part with Buddhist and folk-belief rites, and the festive part with cultural and artistic activities[1][4]. It is one of the major festivals opening the pilgrimage season to the ancient capital Hoa Lư area, Ninh Bình province[3].
What rituals are included in the festival opening?
The ritual part of the Bái Đính Pagoda festival opening follows a solemn sequence tied to the figures worshipped at the pagoda. According to reports in báo Văn hóa, the opening rites include the following main steps[1][4]:
- Drumming and bell-ringing to open the festival: a representative of Ninh Bình provincial leaders beats the drum, and the abbot rings the bell to officially open the festival[1][4].
- Incense offering to the Buddha: incense is offered at the Điện Giáo chủ, praying for national peace and favourable weather[1].
- Lục cúng offering: offerings presented to the Buddhas and to predecessors[1][4].
- Commemoration of the merits of National Master Nguyễn Minh Không: a Zen master with great contributions to Buddhism and national medicine, worshipped at the pagoda[4].
- Rite for the deity Cao Sơn: a deity worshipped in more than 100 places under various titles such as Cao Sơn Cao Các đại vương, Cao Sơn đại vương, Cao Sơn hiển hựu thượng đẳng phúc thần. At Bái Đính, the deity Cao Sơn is associated with the Vietnamese mountain-worship belief[3].
- Chầu thánh Mẫu Thượng Ngàn: a rite belonging to the Mother Goddess belief, a layer of folk belief blended into the pagoda festival[3][4].
After the ritual part at the new pagoda, a palanquin procession carrying the palanquins of the tablet of the deity Cao Sơn, Saint Nguyễn Minh Không and Lady Thượng Ngàn is taken up to the ancient Bái Đính Pagoda[3][4]. This is the highlight of the festival, connecting the space of the new pagoda with the ancient pagoda area on the mountain.
How do the ancient Bái Đính Pagoda and the new pagoda complex differ?
The difference between the two areas is what visitors often wonder about when coming to Bái Đính. The table below summarises the main points based on information from báo Văn hóa and Nhân Dân[1][3][4]:
| Criterion | Ancient Bái Đính Pagoda | New Bái Đính Pagoda complex |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Located within caves on Núi Đính, part of the Hoa Lư ancient capital scenic site[1] | Situated within the Tràng An scenic complex, built and expanded[1][4] |
| Age | Built thousands of years ago[1] | Newly built, inaugurated in recent years[1] |
| Architecture | Ancient, tied to natural caves[1] | Strongly traditional architecture, grand, large-scale[1][4] |
| Role in the festival | Destination of the palanquin procession[3][4] | Venue of the festival opening, incense offering, lục cúng offering[1][4] |
| Recorded value | Associated with the event of King Quang Trung's flag ceremony before marching to Thăng Long[1][3] | A famous spiritual tourism site, said to be the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia[4] |
According to báo Văn hóa, the ancient Bái Đính Pagoda is located right within the caves on Núi Đính, where King Quang Trung chose to perform the flag ceremony, encouraging his generals and soldiers before marching to Thăng Long to defeat the Thanh army[1]. Báo Nhân Dân also records this and adds that the pagoda is associated with the legends of the belief in Saint Nguyễn Minh Không, the deity Cao Sơn, the Mother Goddess belief and Confucian philosophy[3].
Why is the Bái Đính Pagoda festival considered a major festival?
The Bái Đính Pagoda festival is large in scale thanks to the combination of many factors: a vast complex space, many historical legends, and the blending of Buddhism with folk beliefs[3][4].
What activities are in the festive part?
The festive part of the Bái Đính Pagoda festival opening includes an artistic programme rich in cultural identity and folk cultural activities[1][2]. According to báo Văn hóa, on the opening day alone it attracted thousands of Buddhists and visitors to visit and worship[1].
What should be noted when attending the festival opening?
Residents and visitors attending the Bái Đính Pagoda festival opening should note the following points for a complete experience:
- Time: the festival officially opens on the morning of the sixth day of the first lunar month, but the festival runs until the end of the third lunar month[1][3]. Visitors can come on any day within this period, not necessarily on the opening day.
- Clothing: modest, respectful clothing is recommended when entering the pagoda, appropriate to the spiritual space.
- Offerings: vegetarian offerings are most appropriate when making offerings at the pagoda. Avoid offering meat, which causes offence.
- Transport: the Bái Đính complex is large, with electric carts assisting movement between areas. Visitors should allow enough time to visit both the ancient and the new pagoda.
What other early-spring festivals in Ninh Bình are noteworthy?
Ninh Bình has many traditional festivals taking place after Tết, creating a lively festival season. According to báo Văn hóa, the early-2026 festival schedule in Ninh Bình includes[2]:
| Festival | Time (lunar calendar) | Main features |
|---|---|---|
| Tịch điền Đọi Sơn Festival | 5th to 7th day of the first lunar month | National agricultural rite "the king goes ploughing", praying for a bumper harvest[2] |
| Tam Chúc Pagoda Festival | 10th to 15th day of the first lunar month | Spiritual destination, spring sightseeing[2] |
| Phát lương Festival at Trần Thương Temple | 12th to 16th day of the first lunar month | Re-enacts the historical distribution of military provisions by Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn[2] |
| Seal-opening Festival at Trần Temple | 12th to 16th day of the first lunar month | Originates from a Trần dynasty custom, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, opening administrative work[2] |
| Bích Động Pagoda Festival | 2nd lunar month | Ancient pagoda in a mountain cliff, Buddhist rites for good fortune[2] |
| Bà Đanh Pagoda Festival | 15th to 17th day of the 2nd lunar month | Palanquin procession, sacrifices, boat racing, human chess[2] |
| Hoa Lư Festival | 9th to 11th day of the 3rd lunar month | Honours Đinh Bộ Lĩnh and Lê Đại Hành, re-enacts the flag-reed military drill[2] |
| Tràng An Festival | 16th day of the 3rd lunar month | Water procession, dragon procession on the Sào Khê river, "forest-opening" rite[2] |
| Phủ Dầy Festival | 1st to 10th day of the 3rd lunar month | Honours Saint Mother Liễu Hạnh, chầu văn, hầu đồng[2] |
The summary article by báo Văn hóa also records some other festivals such as the Thái Vi Temple festival (14th to 15th day of the 3rd lunar month) with more than 30 palanquin processions, each comprising 3 palanquins: kiệu song hành, kiệu bát cống, kiệu võng[2]. However, this list may not be complete and the times may change from year to year.
