Ba Men Temple Festival 2026

Over two days, March 7–8 (corresponding to the 19th and 20th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse), the Ba Men Temple Festival 2026 took place in the Dau Be Island area of Ha Long Bay, attracting the participation of a large number of local fishermen and visitors.

The festival this year continues to preserve its distinctive traditional features, reflecting the cultural identity of coastal fishing communities. The ritual part is conducted in a solemn manner, with delegations offering incense and prayers for a new year of “favorable weather, calm seas, and prosperous fishing voyages.” It is also an occasion for fishermen to express their gratitude for the protection and blessings believed to have been bestowed by Ba Men throughout the past year.

According to local legend, Ba Men was one of six women who lost their lives in a boat capsizing while at sea. Her body drifted into a small cove near Dau Be Island, where local fishermen later buried her and built a temple in her honor. The temple has undergone several restorations—most recently in 2018—and was recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic in 2015.

Within maritime worship practices, Ba Men is venerated as a sacred and responsive guardian spirit who protects fishermen from the storms and uncertainties of the sea. The rituals performed during the festival are not only expressions of local belief but also a testament to the enduring vitality of the fishing community’s cultural traditions within the heart of the World Natural Heritage site.

The traditional recreational activities of the festival took place in a lively atmosphere on the sandy beach in front of the temple, featuring traditional boat racing. Enthusiastic cheers and encouragement for the competing teams created a vibrant festival spirit, strengthening the bonds among fishing communities from Ha Long, Cat Ba, and Quang Yen.

To ensure that the festival is conducted safely and in a civilized manner, the Ha Long Bay – Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board has implemented Plan No. 39/KH-BQLDSTG on coordinating the management and supervision of local worship activities at Ba Men Temple, with a focus on security and safety, fire prevention, environmental protection, and conservation research.

Maintained and successfully organized over many years, the Ba Men Temple Festival has helped affirm the diverse values of Ha Long Bay, not only in terms of its outstanding natural landscape but also in the unique spiritual and cultural traditions preserved by local communities across generations.

Huy Hoang