9 highlighted events in Vietnam in March 2012

If you are considering visiting Vietnam this March, remember to mark your calendar with these cannot-miss events. Though most of these events are taking place in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Hue, there are sure things to go on in smaller cities and countryside areas as well. Stay tuned as we keep our list continually updated!

1. Holi Festival (3rd March 2012)

Indian expats and those who love Indian culture definitely should come to join Holi Festival held by Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (InCham) at RMIT University, Ho Chi Minh City, on Saturday March 3rd, 2012. The festival is expected to be a party full of vibrant colors, where you can enjoy free drinks, Indian cuisines, and participate in games and dances. Holi Festival is a unique Indian cultural event that celebrates the full moon day of Phagun- a major festival of Indian Hindus.

Read more about Holi festival in Vietnam

2. Hanoi and Saigon Flea Market (4th March 2012)

The very first Hanoi Flea Market and the second in Saigon will be held on March 4th, 2012, welcoming every vintage fans living in these two big cities. The markets are operated similar to an artisan market, selling a wide range of handmade, vintage, second hand items such as clothes, antiques, accessorizes or interior decoration. The last market in Saigon had attracted more than 1000 local and foreign visitors. People can apply to have a stall in the market, and all the funds generated from the organization will donate to charities.

Hanoi: Hanoi Rock City 27/52 To Ngoc Van str, Tay Ho.

Ho Chi Minh City: Boomarang Bistro Saigon (107 Ton Dat Tien, Phu My Hung, District 7, HCMC).

3. International Women’s Day (8th March 2012)

As the biggest day for women approaches, a series of events celebrating this day will be held in major cities of Vietnam. Tourists, especially ladies and girls, will receive a large collection of attractive promotion and sale programs in shopping malls, restaurants, spas, etc. Many music shows as well as arts performance are also taken place throughout the country.

Lotte K-mart (469 Nguyen Huu Tho, District 7, HCMC) is holding grand sale on women fashion and household utility for shoppers from March 1st to 14th.

Ninomax (see address) offers Buy 2 Get 1 Free for women’s apparels between March 1st and 8th. Many travel agencies also introduced 10-20% sale off the original tour price for women travelers making reservation on March 8th.

A jazz concert will be held at Hanoi's L'Espace on Women's Day, ticket starting from $3.

(More details about sales and events to follow).

4. Saigon Cyclo Challenge ( 10th March 2012)

Saigon Cyclo Challenge (SCC) 2012, the annual program of Saigon Children’s Charity will take place on 10th March, 2012 at The Crescent, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. Participants are ready to enjoy the most unique experience while improving their team-building spirit. Foreigners interested in cyclo- a popular vehicle in Vietnam’s big cities during the 20th century will find the event a great chance to find out more about this tourists’ most favored means of transportation.

Read more about the Cyclo Challenge

5. Music Bank World Tour (15th March 2012)

For all K-pop fans, this March will be a month to remember when a storm of Korean stars such as Super Junior, CNBlue, B2ST, IU, SISTAR, SECRET, MBLAQ and Davichi will spread over Vietnam for the Music Bank World Tour. Music Bank is the weekly famous music program of KBS Channel with a special format, attracting millions of viewers in Korea, Asia, Europe and American. The event will be held at Vietnam National Convention Center in Pham Hung Street, Hanoi, for Vietnam-Korean Friendship Relations program on 15th March 2012.

6. Duyen Dang Viet Nam (24th-25th March 2012)

Duyen Dang Viet Nam-the biggest fashion event which assembles the most famous fashion designers, misses, models and singers in Vietnam will take place in two days 24th-25th this March in Hue City. The show begins a series of exciting events in celebration of Hue Festival next April. Tourists will be impressed by the imposingly meticulous organization of the show, with the lasted designs shown alternately with singing and dancing performances.

7. Tet Han Thuc (24th March 2012)

Tet Han Thuc (or Cold Goods Tet) is a special festival which is essential in Vietnamese’s beliefs. It is celebrated on the 3rd day of the third lunar month, an occasion for people to worship their ancestor. It is a great chance for tourists to try the two traditional Vietnamese cakes: banh troi and banh chay, both are made from glutinous rice powder and boiled in hot water. As the special food exclusively for Tet Han Thuc, the cakes as well as their ingredients are sold at every market throughout the country.

8. Earth Hour 2012 (31st March 2012)

To raise people’s awareness of global warming, climate changing and energy saving, as usual, Earth Hour program will be launched on the last Saturday of March. This year, everybody can join this special event on 31st March 2012 in August Revolution Square, in front of the Opera House, Trang Tien, Hanoi. The core activity of the whole event is from 8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. when people switch off every electric device and pass the candles representing the light. Moreover, there are other supporting programs such as “Save energy” photo contest, “Green Tour”- cycling around Hanoi on 11th and 18th March, “Green Sunday”- picking up trash around Hoan Kiem Lake on 25th March.

9. Hung King Temple Festival (31st March 2012)

Since 2007, the 10th day of the third lunar month- the traditional holiday commemorating Hung Kings, has become the public holiday of Vietnam. The Vietnamese nation was believed to be founded by Emperor Hung Vuong nearly 50 centuries ago. In order to honor the Founding Fathers, the Hung Vuong National Altar was built in 250 BC in Phu Tho province. On the lunar tenth of March, Vietnamese from all over the country will come to the Hung Vuong National Altar to commemorate their ancestors. This year, Phu Tho Province’s government has been well-prepared for the festival, as it will last from 27th to 31st March, 2012, with numerous ritual ceremonies and traditional activities taking place.

More:

Vietnam Weather in March