Traditional festival of Thach Khoan communal house in 2025

On February 21–22 (corresponding to January 24–25 in the lunar calendar), Thach Khoan Commune, Thanh Son District, held the Thach Khoan Communal House Traditional Festival to celebrate the Year of the Snake 2025.

Village elders presided over the offering ritual.

Thach Khoan Communal House is a nationally recognized historical and cultural relic, reflecting the architectural style of ancient communal houses in the Northern midlands. It serves as a sacred site dedicated to Tan Vien Son Thanh, a legendary figure in the nation’s history of construction and defense. The communal house also honors three princesses, daughters of King Hung, General Dinh Cong Moc, and four local chiefs of the Dinh family—Dinh Cong Moc, Dinh Cong Tot, Dinh Cong Nha, and Dinh Cong Thai—who played a vital role in repelling the Ming invaders in the 15th century to protect the villagers.

The ceremonial officiant prepares the offerings.

A prayer of gratitude is recited to honor the ancestors.

The Thach Khoan Communal House Festival is a traditional celebration rich in the cultural heritage of the Muong people, featuring a full array of ceremonies and rituals.

A gong performance takes place during the festival.

Both locals and tourists take part in the blindfolded pot-smashing game.

A women’s volleyball competition is held between residential areas.

Following the palanquin procession and sacrificial ceremony, the festival features a variety of cultural activities and folk games, including gong performances, traditional dancing, swinging, blindfolded pot smashing, blindfolded pig catching, crossbow shooting, a volleyball competition, cultural exchanges, and residential cultural camps.

Phuong Thanh