Every year, on the 18th and 19th days of the first lunar month, the people of Phu Quoc solemnly celebrate the Ba Lon Tuong Festival to honor Lady Kim Giao (Le Kim Dinh) – the revered consort of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc. For generations, this has been a meaningful occasion for coastal communities to offer incense, pray for calm seas, prosperous fishing trips, and a peaceful new year.
- Festival name: Ba Lon Tuong Festival – Dinh Ba Ong Lang
- Dates: 18–19 of the 1st lunar month
- Location: Dinh Ba Le Kim Dinh (Ba Lon Tuong), Ong Lang Hamlet, Cua Duong, Phu Quoc Special Zone
Fishermen, merchants, boat owners, and families across the island visit the shrine to seek blessings for smooth business, safe voyages, and good fortune. In recent years, many young couples also come to pray for love, harmony, and lifelong companionship.
A Sacred and Festive Atmosphere
Located about 7 km from Duong Dong Town, Dinh Ba Ong Lang is easily accessible and has become a vibrant cultural gathering spot during the festival season. Days before the event, the entire community joins hands to prepare:
- Cleaning and decorating the shrine
- Setting up traditional food stalls
- Erecting stages and preparing ceremonial spaces
- Organizing cultural and entertainment activities
These preparations contribute to the festival’s increasingly large scale, turning it into one of Phu Quoc’s most anticipated cultural events.
The Rituals – Respectful and Deeply Spiritual
The ceremonial rites reflect traditional beliefs of coastal communities and are conducted with solemnity:
- Procession to invite the Lady (Nghinh Ba)
- Incense offering, floral offerings, and ritual offerings
- Prayers for peace, calm seas, and a prosperous year
- Recitation of sacred stories about Ba Lon Tuong
The sound of drums and gongs echoing through the courtyard, combined with the scent of burning incense, creates an atmosphere filled with reverence and gratitude for the woman believed to have sacrificed her life amid the turmoil of the resistance era.
The Festivities – Vivid Colors of Island Culture
Beyond the solemn rituals, the festival becomes lively and joyful as visitors immerse themselves in the vibrant celebrations:
- Traditional food stalls: sizzling seafood pancakes, bun quay, grilled fish, banh hoi with roasted pork, fresh sea snails, local desserts…
- Folk games: tug of war, blindfolded pot smashing, boat races, and classic village competitions
- Cultural performances: folk singing, traditional music, and community shows throughout the evening
The festival space blends spirituality with island culture, offering visitors a unique and authentic experience of Phu Quoc’s heritage.
A Cultural Treasure of the Island Community
The Ba Lon Tuong Festival is more than a religious celebration—it is a symbol of unity, gratitude, and cultural identity. It preserves the story of a woman who lived and died amid the flames of resistance, a narrative passed down through generations of islanders.
For visitors, the festival is a rare opportunity to witness the harmony between history, tradition, and spirituality that shapes daily life in coastal Vietnam. It is an immersive cultural journey—one that enriches every trip to Phu Quoc.
