An Giang: The Mekong Delta province of An Giang recently held a ceremony to celebrate the recognition of its Festival of the Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The event marks a significant milestone in the cultural history of the region, highlighting the importance of this festival in the religious and social life of its people.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the Festival of the Ba Chua Xu Goddess is one of the largest religious events in southern Vietnam, celebrated from the 22nd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month. The festival is a unifying cultural event for the Kinh, Khmer, Cham, and Hoa ethnic groups residing in Chau Doc city. It is a time when these communities come together to express their gratitude to the goddess Ba Chua Xu for her blessings of prosperity, health, and peace.

The festival features several traditional ceremonies, including a palanquin procession and a bathing ceremony where the statue of the goddess is adorned with new clothes and jewe
lry. Additionally, the preparation and presentation of offerings form a crucial part of the celebrations, signifying the deep-rooted customs and spiritual beliefs of the people in An Giang.