Bắc Ninh can be explored through several cultural threads: Buddhist history, festivals based on the lunar calendar and craft traditions. The recorded history of Dâu Pagoda dates back nearly 2,000 years; pottery and Đông Hồ paintings reveal other facets of the region’s cultural life.
Pagodas and dynastic history
Construction of Dâu Pagoda began in the 2nd century CE. It is located in the centre of ancient Luy Lâu, an important point of contact for trade and culture between India, China and Vietnam. Its recorded history dates back nearly 2,000 years; since 2013, it has been recognised as a special-grade national monument.
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda preserves 3,050 Buddhist woodblocks bearing nine book titles. In 2012, these were recognised as documentary heritage under the Memory of the World Programme for Asia and the Pacific. The pagoda is also a centre of Trúc Lâm Buddhist culture and was a historic training centre for monks.
The complex of the tombs and temple of the Lý Dynasty is located in Phường Từ Sơn and was recognised as a special-grade national monument in 2014. It includes the Sơn lăng cấm địa tomb area and Đền Đô, where eight kings of the Lý Dynasty are worshipped. Bút Tháp Pagoda, also known as Ninh Phúc tự, is on the south bank of the Đuống River in Phường Trí Quả. It is considered one of the well-known ancient pagodas, with exemplary Buddhist architecture from the Lê Trung Hưng period.
The broader cultural landscape is also spread across several locations: the Yên Tử–Vĩnh Nghiêm–Côn Sơn–Kiếp Bạc World Heritage Site comprises a connected series of 12 sites in Quảng Ninh, Bắc Ninh and Hải Phòng. In Bắc Ninh, it includes Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda and Bổ Đà Pagoda.
Festivals throughout the year
Several pagoda festivals combine set lunar dates with different programmes. The Bút Tháp Pagoda Festival takes place on the 23rd and 24th days of the third lunar month. It features Quan họ singing, the release of pigeons, chess and water puppetry, as well as other cultural, artistic and sporting activities.
The Dâu Pagoda Festival falls annually on the 8th and 9th days of the fourth lunar month. The pagoda is its centre; the festival also extends across a network of Tứ Pháp pagodas and Chùa Tổ. The Đền Đô Festival takes place annually from the 14th to the 16th days of the third lunar month. It includes worship rituals, a palanquin procession, lion dancing, martial arts and Quan họ performances on boats. Two of the festivals are held in the third lunar month, and the Dâu Festival is held in the fourth. Check how the lunar dates convert to the Gregorian calendar for your year of travel.
Crafts, paintings and landscapes
Traditional wood-fired kilns are still used for pottery in Phù Lãng, in Quế Võ District. Đông Hồ, in Song Hồ Commune, is associated with the traditional production of Đông Hồ folk paintings. The two places represent different craft traditions: ceramics in one, folk art in the other.
The Đông Hồ village festival is held every year, giving artisans an opportunity to exchange ideas about the art of making paintings. Throughout the year, there are also painting markets where visitors can buy Đông Hồ folk paintings as souvenirs. The dates of individual market days may vary. If you are interested in traditional art, the contrast between the artisans’ exchange at the village festival and buying paintings at the markets offers two different insights into this tradition.
The landscape is also linked to religious history: Phật Tích Pagoda was founded under the Lý Dynasty and is located on the slope of Phật Tích Mountain. Suối Mỡ is among the landscapes and historic sites within the Tây Yên Tử Trúc Lâm Buddhist cultural area in Bắc Ninh.
A regional speciality
When visiting Đền Đô, you can enjoy Bánh phu thê Đình Bảng. This speciality is made with glutinous rice, mung beans, coconut and sugar. Individual vendors and availability may vary, so check locally to see whether you can try it.
Discover more destinations: Do Nha, Đình Cao, Bắc Ninh City, Lạng Sơn, Lao Cai, Điện Biên, Can Tho, Kien Giang.
For the main travel overview: Vietnam.
