Long Chu Festival – Royal Barge

Long Chu Festival

                                          Long Chu Festival I Image Source

Vietnam is one of the touristy destinations that has sprung up in popularity in the recent years. There are plenty of attractions and activities in Vietnam that keep the tourist occupied. If you prefer to stay away from the city a perfect getaway would be to stay at a Hoi An River Resort.Even though a small town , one of the key attractions in Hoi An is the festival that takes place. Long Chu Festival is the highlight of tourist activity in the town. Long Chu festival is of high cultural and religious importance. It is celebrated to welcome the new season and to bid farewell to the previous one on the 15th day of lunar January and July.The climate remains uncertain in this period due to the transition. If the sound of this festival excites you and you plan on visiting the town , a hotel that is located in the close proximity to where the festival takes place is Anantara Hoi An Resort.

The period is also considered to be a month for the outbreak of diseases such as plagues in the fishing village.The name of the festival in the native language translates to Royal Barge which was a medium of transport for the king back in the day. It takes the shape of a dragon.

The festival’s prime focus is to chase away the ghosts and demons and protect the villagers from epidemics that may affect the villagers. The rituals are performed by priests and religious doctors known as “Shamans”. The ritual typically involves burning incense sticks and putting of amulets in the ghost adobe. The whole community chants songs and prayers as the ritual progresses. One of the important parts of the rituals is considered to be the casting of spells on the ghosts that bring about these alignments. It is believed the ghosts are then warded off by throwing them away into the river.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+