Khmer Dolta Festival in Vietnam | Travel Fest

Dolta Festival in Khmer community lasts from the 30th day of the eighth lunar month to the second day of the ninth lunar month every year. This festival is an occasion for Khmer people to commemorate their ancestors and Buddhist monks who passed away.

Photo via baotayninh.vn

During the festival, people pray for peace, as well as preserve their worthy customs and religious mental life. Dolta festival is one of the biggest annual Khmer festivals to thank the Moon for good harvests.

Photo via phattuvietnam.net
Photo via bandantoc.hochiminhcity.gov.vn

Khmer people perform considerate duties such as offering steamed rice in pagodas and worshiping their ancestors at home. Two weeks before the main festival, the atmosphere in most of the areas become lively whilst everyone is getting a lot busier making traditional cakes, cleaning and decorating altars, visiting their grandparents, etc.

Photo via lehoi.cinet.vn

Luông Ba Sắc, a Khmer pagoda built 500 years ago, is now a religious home for over 1000 Buddhist monks. Up to now, Luông Ba Sắc has been still remaining such unique and traditional customs and activities. Many locals and even non-natives have become so familiar with the place as a praying venue in many occasions and events. Especially during Dolta festival, visitors come here very early in the morning, usually at around 3:00 AM.

Photo via voh.com.vn

Pagodas are followed by households as the next venues for the next activities. Depending on the economic status or budget of each family, the ceremony will be held in modesty or significance that some monks are invited to say the blessings and join the meals with the families.

To discover more about Khmer’s festivals, please click here

11 thoughts on “Khmer Dolta Festival in Vietnam | Travel Fest

  1. I haven’t heard about this festival before but it sounds great. It must be fun participating in these interesting activities. Nice to know about this!

  2. Having grown up in the Jewish faith and now being a Christian, this was the first time that I had seen what one of these festivals look like – very interesting!

  3. I’m so glad that our country has a reputation for such beautiful and meaningful traditions. Not just Khmer’s, I hope to experience the festivals of other peoples in Vietnam.

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