Doan Ngo Festival on the 5th of the 5th Lunar Month and Tan Loc Islet Bathing Festival - a unique cultural feature of the riverine region

The Doan Ngo Festival, taking place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month every year, is one of the oldest traditional holidays of the Vietnamese people. The word “Doan” means the beginning, and “Ngo” is the time from 11 AM to 1 PM. The Doan Ngo Festival is understood as the beginning of the Ngo hour on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. In folklore, it is also known as the “Pest-Killing Festival,” but many places also consider it the “Half-Year Festival” because this time marks the midpoint of the lunar year, when people look back at what they have experienced in the first half of the year and pray for health, peace, and luck for the remaining journey.

Since ancient times, Vietnamese people have had the custom of worshipping ancestors, eating fruits, fermented glutinous rice (Com Ruou), and ash cakes (Banh Tro) early in the morning of the 5th of the 5th month to pray for a bountiful harvest, a healthy family, and to ward off diseases. For the people of the Southwest region, the Doan Ngo Festival is also associated with many unique folk cultural activities, notably the Tan Loc Islet bathing festival in Tan Loc Ward, Can Tho City.

Tan Loc Islet belongs to Tan Loc Ward, located in the middle of the Hau River and about 40 km from the center of Can Tho City. With an area of more than 3,000 hectares, this place is known as the “sweet island” of Can Tho thanks to its vast fruit orchards and charming river landscape. Thanks to favorable natural conditions, Tan Loc Islet has long become an attractive destination for tourists who love eco-tourism and experiencing indigenous culture.

The Tan Loc Islet bathing festival usually takes place early in the morning of the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Right from the crack of dawn, large numbers of locals and tourists gather along the Hau River to participate in the traditional river bathing activity. According to folk beliefs passed down through many generations, soaking in the river water on this day helps purify the body, wash away bad luck and illnesses, and receive positive energy from nature.

Not only bearing spiritual significance, the river bathing festival is also an opportunity for the community to meet, interact, and strengthen village bonds. In the bustling atmosphere of the Doan Ngo Festival, people participate in recreational activities together, enjoy local specialties, and share stories about the traditional cultural beauty of the islet land.

Besides participating in the festival, visitors can also explore many famous eco-tourism destinations on Tan Loc Islet. The orchards of rambutan, mangosteen, durian, longan, star apple, and cool green coconut groves stretching along the river are ideal stops to enjoy the fresh air. Many orchard owners also combine sightseeing services, enjoying fruits on the spot, and experiencing rustic garden life and Western specialty dishes.