Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Le Thi Mai Trinh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized: "The Via Ba Chua Xu Go Thap Festival has long become a typical cultural and religious activity of the local people, and also a unique cultural convergence point of the region.
The festival not only reflects a rich spiritual life but is also an opportunity for people to express deep gratitude to their predecessors, praying for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and a prosperous and happy life.
Associated with the Mother Goddess worship belief of Vietnamese people, the image of Ba Chua Xu is respected by the people as a god protecting a peaceful and prosperous life. In Go Thap, Ba Temple was formed a long time ago, with a traditional festival held on the full moon of the 3rd lunar month every year.
Over time, relics and festivals have been constantly restored, preserved and promoted, becoming an indispensable cultural activity in the spiritual life of the people of Dong Thap.
In recent years, festivals have been increasingly elevated in both scale and organizational quality. Activities have been innovated, both ensuring solemnity and tradition, and meeting the cultural enjoyment needs of people and tourists.
Through rituals and festival activities, the historical and cultural values of Dong Thap land continue to be affirmed, while contributing to traditional education and fostering national pride.
The Via Ba Chua Xu Go Thap Festival was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 27, 2025. This is a worthy recognition of the persistent efforts of the Party Committee, government and people of the province in preserving and promoting traditional cultural identity.
The 2026 festival is organized with a spacious and expanded space but still retains the quintessence of tradition, including two main parts. The ceremony part takes place from April 30 to May 2, 2026 with solemn rituals such as: Ba bathing ceremony, praying for peace, inviting children, worshiping the Snake God and main worship, clearly showing the Mother Goddess worship belief and respect for the Mother Goddess.
The festival part brings a vibrant atmosphere with many unique cultural and artistic activities: photo exhibition about Dong Thap cultural and tourism heritage; display of publications, specialized books and newspapers; recreation of the legend of Ba Chua Xu; classical opera performances, shadow dances; health exercise activities, folk games, lion - dragon dances.
Besides, there are tourism promotion activities, introducing tours, routes, attractions and organizing Go Thap rural markets, contributing to stimulating local tourism demand.
According to Ms. Mai Trinh, the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage is not only an honor but also places a great responsibility in preserving and promoting heritage values.
Dong Thap province's cultural sector will continue to closely coordinate with levels, sectors and communities to preserve and promote festivals in a sustainable direction, associated with tourism development and improving the spiritual and cultural life of the people.
The Via Ba Chua Xu Go Thap Festival 2026 is not only a spiritual pilgrimage but also an opportunity to promote the image of the land and people of Dong Thap - meaningful, dynamic and rich in identity - to tourists from near and far. Thereby, contributing to affirming the locality's position in the cultural tourism map of the Mekong Delta region.
