Afternoon Excursion: Bá Dương Nội Village annual kite flying festival FULL

THIS IS NOW FULL.  PLEASE RSVP FOR THE WAITING LIST, ITS ALWAYS WORTH BEING ON THE WAITING LIST IN CASE OF CANCELLATIONS

THURSDAY 4 MAY

Bá Dương Nội village is a 1,000 year-old kite making village on the Red River on the outskirts of Hanoi. Generations  of villagers have kept this tradition alive. The kites are shaped as crescent moons or boats, with wooden flutes attached. The wind passes through the flutes making haunting melodies.  The village dates back to the 10^th century Dinh Dynasty. Ba Duong Noi has a reputation as one of Vietnam’s main kite flying centres.  The village annual kite festival his held on the 15^th day of the 3^rd Lunar month – this year = 4 May solar calendar.

Before Covid we went each year.  This is the first time we have returned since 2019.  The festival is over 2 days – day 1 for children and day 2 (4 May) for adults. We go in the afternoon of the 2nd day for the final part of the festivities to see the kite flying. The festival attracts competitors from all round Vietnam. and usually we are the only visitors who attend.  It is one of the leaders of the Ba Duong Noi Cultural committee who invites us to attend.

Meet: Outside of the Pan Pacific Hotel, on Yên Phụ Rd, at the corner of Thanh Niên Rd

Outline plan – NB this is subject to the weather as if its pouring with rain or no wind then plans may change as the kites cannot fly. But let’s hope for good weather conditions. 

Please have lunch beforehand and bring refreshments/drinks. We do not  stop for lunch on the way. NB in the village there almost no evident restaurants/ cafes  but the festival does have some basic food stalls set up.

12.30pm-5.30pm approx total timing

12.15pm :  depart Hanoi from  Outside Pan Pacific Hotel on Yên Phụ Rd, corner of Thanh Niên Rd (NB –  no motorbike parking is available at the hotel or nearby so please come by public transport/taxi)

12noon-2pm:  Kite making contestants apply for the kite flying contest – we arrive to see the competitor kites laid  out in the Mieu Dieu (kite temple)

2pm-afternoon   Kite festival opening ceremony

afternoon – kite flying competition – we watch the kite flyers fly their kites in the middle of fields of morning glory

Whether we stay for the final final part of the awards is TBC as it depends on the weather and what we want to do as a group. We usually leave towards the end of the kite flying before the judging and awards

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

• This is very NON touristy and we are usually the only visitors who come
• Very unlikely but in case we need to provide details of our group when you RSVP please include (1) your full name (2)  where you live in Hanoi and (3)  nationality
• Very few villagers speak English and the proceedings are in Vietnamese – this is a very local but important competition.  Hence, we will have in our group  a Vietnamese friend who is coming to translate for us and help us communicate with the local competitors
• We ask all those who come for maximum flexibility and to go with the flow – as timings depend on the weather.  The kite flying is due for 2pm but it can be earlier or later depending on the wind.   You are welcome to stroll round the village as well, mingle with the locals, sit on the edge of the morning glory field with a cold beer and ice cream, and if you are lucky, one of the locals may show you how to the fly a kite…

200,000 VND-250,000 VND person – cost depends on how many people sign up. The cost is to cover the mini bus.

Limit:   max 10 people (we keep to a small group as its logistically easier in the village)

RSVP:          stella@fvheritage.org
Please provide your mobile number when registering. We need everyone’s mobile numbers in order for us to be in touch easily in the village

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