VietNamNet Bridge - September is the time of many special cultural festivals in Vietnam such as the Mid-Autumn festival, the Mong pan-pine festival in Ha Giang or the buffalo fighting festival in Do Son, Haiphong.

1. Mong pan-pine festival

From August 31 to September 2, the first pan-pipe festival of Dong Van district is organized and since then it will be maintained annually to celebrate the National Day.

The festival also includes a trade fair held at the Dong Van District Stadium with over 150 booths of local businesses and international companies. Other activities such as pan-pipe dance, stick pushing, ball beating, singing and poster design competitions were held.

2. National Day

National Day 2/9 is the major holiday of the country. Across the streets in Hanoi and provinces in the country are filled by red flags and banners.

3. Gold Month of Travel in Hue

The event will take place from September 2 to 30 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the relics of the ancient capital of Hue being recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, 10th anniversary of the Hue Court Music being recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Mankind and 90th anniversary of the Hue Royal Museum.

On this occasion, various activities will take place including special discounts, promotions and services offered to visitors and the tour operators which take tourists to Hue relics this month.

4. Le Van Duyet tomb festival

Every year on September 5, at the Ong Ba Chieu Tomb, Binh Thanh District, HCM City, the death anniversary of General Le Van Duyet is held, attracting tens of thousands of participants, approximately 50 percent as Chinese tourists.

Among the festivals to honor historical figures in Vietnam, this is the biggest festival in the south.

5. Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is a traditional festival of fishermen in Do Son, Hai Phong City, which takes place on August 9 of the lunar calendar (September 13 this year).

2013 is the 24th year the festival being recovered in Do Son. The 16 winning buffaloes will compete at the finals today, September 13.

6. Can Gio Whale Festival

The Whale Festival in the town of Can Thanh in Can Gio district is scheduled in on the full moon day of lunar August (September 19 this year) every year. This is one of the largest whale worshiping festivals in Southern Vietnam. This year the festival will take place from September 18 to 21.

7. Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival is on the fifteenth day of August in the lunar calendar every year. In Vietnam, this has become the children's festival. On this day, people admire the moon, dragon dances, lion dances, and enjoy moon cakes while kids play with lanterns, masks, etc....

8. Yen Dieu Tri Cung Festival

Yen Dieu Tri Cung festival is an important festival of the Cao Dai religion. The festival is held on every 15th day of the lunar August at the Tay Ninh Holy See.

9. Con Son – Kiep Bac Festival (September 19-24)

This annual festival is organized on the 15th-20th of lunar August in Hai Duong. This is the traditional festival attracting visitors of a region, not only Hai Duong but many nearby provinces.

10. Lam Kinh Festival - Thanh Hoa (September 26)

Every year on the 22nd of lunar August, Lam Kinh festival takes place in the Lam Kinh relics in Xuan Lam Commune, Tho Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province.

This year, Lam Kinh festival coincides with the 595th anniversary of the Lam Son uprising, 585th anniversary of King Le Thai To’s coronation and the 580th death ceremony of national hero Le Loi.

Ly An