The Lady Thien Hau Festival in Quang Nam Province

The Lady Thien Hau Festival is a traditional celebration of the Chinese community living in Hoi An, Quang Nam. The festival takes place on the 23rd day of the third lunar month at Phuc Kien and Ngu Bang temples. The festival consists of two parts: the ceremony and the fair. The ceremony is a solemn and respectful event, expressing the gratitude and reverence of the Chinese people towards Lady Thien Hau. Lady Thien Hau is a revered goddess known as the Holy Mother, a divine figure who has assisted the ancestors of fishermen and merchants, fostering unity among the Chinese-Vietnamese community. Lady Thien Hau lived during the Song Dynasty, with roots in Fukien, China. She possessed miraculous powers, predicting natural disasters and rescuing many traders and fishermen in distress at sea. Even after her passing, her spirit is believed to protect boats at sea. The ceremony includes rituals such as incense offerings, ritual ceremonies, seeking permission from the Holy Mother, and a procession of the Holy Mother's palanquin through the streets of Hoi An to bless the people. The ceremony follows both Buddhist and Chinese religious customs.