Blog Details

Sacred Beauty on the Da River: The 2025 Peace Lantern and Fish Blessing Ceremony in Hoa Binh

On the evening of June 23, the Hoa Binh Provincial People’s Committee hosted a breathtaking spiritual event, the 2025 Fish Blessing and Lantern Floating Ceremony on the Da River. Attended by high-ranking local officials and warmly welcomed by both residents and tourists, the ceremony blended culture, history, and reverence in an unforgettable night by the water.

A Traditional Ritual Illuminated by Hope
Rooted in ancient Vietnamese folklore, the Fish Blessing Ritual (Lễ Cầu ngư) is an offering to the river and heavens, praying for peace, good harvests, and safe journeys. The floating of lotus-shaped lanterns (hoa đăng) on the Da River symbolizes hope, gratitude, and wishes for prosperity. Watching hundreds of glowing lights drift across the calm surface under a starlit sky is nothing short of magical.

A vibrant art performance, traditional music, and a dazzling fireworks show elevated the evening, creating a powerful atmosphere of celebration and spiritual harmony. Hundreds of ethnic Mường performers played ceremonial bronze gongs to awaken the “sacred soul” of the mountains and rivers, adding depth to this meaningful experience.

Why It Matters
This year’s ceremony holds extra significance, as Hoa Binh prepares to merge with Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc provinces. It was both a tribute to the province’s 140-year legacy and a prayer for a promising future. Once known as “Muong Province,” Hoa Binh is the cradle of the renowned Hoa Binh Culture and a land rich in traditions, festivals, and heroic history.

A Must-See Spiritual Experience for Culture-Loving Travelers
For Indian travelers seeking authentic cultural immersion, spiritual resonance, and connection with nature, the Lantern Festival on the Da River is a hidden gem. It offers not just a visual spectacle but a soulful journey, celebrating the harmony between humans, nature, and heritage.

Come and float your own lantern. Whisper a wish. Let the river carry it beyond the mountains.

Add this magical ceremony to your next Vietnam itinerary and experience a deeper side of this extraordinary land.