Kieng Gio ritual recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage

Thursday, 01/05/2025 | 22:48:01 [GMT +7] A A

On May 1, a ceremony was held to officially announce the recognition of the Kieng Gio ritual of the Dao people in Dong Van commune, Binh Lieu district as part of Vietnam’s national intangible cultural heritage. The event also marked the opening of the 2025 Kieng Gio Festival.

A cultural performance expresses the unique traditions of the Dao Thanh Phan ethnic community in Binh Lieu district.

The festival was held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), International Labor Day (May 1), and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China.

Together with other cultural events such as the Luc Na Temple Festival, Camellia Flower Festival, Soong Co Singing Festival, and the Golden Season Festival, the Kieng Gio Festival has long been a signature cultural and tourism event of Bình Liêu. This unique spiritual tradition of the Dao Thanh Phan ethnic group has been faithfully preserved through generations.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council, Vi Ngoc Bich, presents flowers to congratulate the Binh Lieu district receiving the decision recognizing the Kieng Gio ritual as a national intangible cultural heritage.

According to village elders, on Kieng Gio day, Dao families quietly leave their homes early in the morning, believing that if the Wind God enters an empty house, it will carry away misfortunes and troubles from the old year, while bringing good luck, peace, and prosperity.

The Dao people believe that on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month, nothing they do will go smoothly, so they temporarily pause all work, release their buffaloes to graze in the mountains, and together say: “mi sèng phẩy hêy dảo” (let’s go to the market on the fourth day of the fourth month).

More than just a spiritual practice, the Kieng Gio ritual carries a profound cultural message about the harmony between humans and nature, between the physical and spiritual worlds. It is a way for the Dao community to strengthen faith, foster solidarity, and maintain unity. Over time, this tradition has remained alive and vibrant, passed down and safeguarded by artisans, shamans, ritual masters, and the community at large.

Artists from Fangcheng District (Fangchenggang City, Guangxi, China) joined the celebration with vibrant dance performances showcasing their rich local cultural identity.

Being officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage is not only a great honor, but also a shared responsibility for the local authorities and the people of Binh Lieu to continue preserving, promoting, and passing on this invaluable cultural treasure.

The 2025 Kieng Gio Festival takes place from April 30 to May 4, featuring a variety of vibrant cultural, sports, and tourism activities including an inter-village music and dance festival, traditional ethnic sports competitions, a spinning top exchange game between locals of Dong Van and Hoanh Mo Communes (Vietnam) and Dongzhong Town (China), exhibitions and showcases of handicrafts, OCOP products, and traditional cuisine as well as community-based tourism experiences.