Cover Singer Hoa Minzy at Ba Chua Kho Temple in Bac Ninh, featured in the MV “Bac Bling”.
Singer Hoa Minzy at Ba Chua Kho Temple in Bac Ninh, featured in the MV “Bac Bling”.
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With Ba Chua Kho Temple featured in the MV “Bac Bling”, Bac Ninh shines as a region rich in cultural and historical heritage.
In early March 2025, the song Bac Bling (Bac Ninh) by female singer Hoa Minzy made waves, quickly earning enthusiastic praise from both audiences and critics. With its folk music and stunning visuals of Bac Ninh’s “spiritual land” in the music video, the province has become a sought-after tourist destination, capturing the attention of many in recent days.
In this article, we explore the unique qualities of Bac Ninh, a place steeped in history and culture, known for its wealth of human resources, historical sites, traditional festivals, and thriving craft villages.
Lim Festival
The Lim Festival is a traditional celebration with a long history, held annually from January 13 to 15 in Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province. Attracting a large number of visitors, the festival showcases a rich folk culture, featuring activities such as Quan Ho singing contests, To Tom Diem competitions, calligraphy exhibitions, poetry readings, and displays preserving the heritage and significance of Quan Ho singing.
In September 2010, UNESCO recognised Quan Ho Bac Ninh singing as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Attendees of the Lim Festival can enjoy these folk songs on dragon boats or in the communal yards and gardens surrounding the festival grounds.
Ba Chua Kho Temple
Ba Chua Kho Temple is one of Vietnam’s sacred shrines, drawing many visitors who come to pray for prosperity at the start of the year. The temple is known for its distinctive Nhi-shaped architecture, comprising both front and rear areas. It is dedicated to Ba Chua Kho, a woman who is said to have cared for and distributed food to the army.
Above Bac Ninh scenes featured in the MV “Bac Bling”.
Bac Ninh scenes featured in the MV “Bac Bling”.
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Each year, on the 14th day of the first lunar month, the temple hosts a festival attracting thousands who seek blessings for a successful year ahead. The expansive grounds, combining the temple’s ancient charm with the surrounding natural beauty, make it a perfect spot for visitors to explore and take part in the temple’s activities.
Do Temple Festival
Do Temple, also known as Co Phap Temple or Ly Bat De Temple, is dedicated to the kings of the Ly Dynasty. Held annually from the 14th to the 16th of the third lunar month, the Do Temple Festival features sacrificial rituals and numerous engaging traditional activities, such as wrestling matches, Quan Ho singing, clay pot rice cooking competitions, and calligraphy exhibitions. Those visiting during the festival can take part in these cultural events.
Beyond the main shrines of the temple, visitors can also explore the elegant water pavilion by Crescent Lake, admired for its intricate architecture and detailed carvings.
Phu Lang Pottery Village
Phu Lang Pottery Village, located in Que Vo District, is one of Vietnam’s most renowned traditional craft villages, with a history spanning more than 700 years. In 2016, it was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage. A visit to Phu Lang offers an opportunity to explore the origins, processes, and traditional pottery-making techniques that have been passed down through generations.
While Bat Trang pottery is made from white clay, Phu Lang pottery is crafted using red soil from Thong Vat, Cung Khiem, in Bac Giang. The products of Phu Lang include Buddha statues, incense burners, religious offerings, everyday household items such as bottles, and a variety of decorative pieces. The ceramic paintings of Phu Lang are particularly captivating, drawing the attention of art enthusiasts. These paintings feature simple, rustic themes that not only showcase traditional artistry but also evoke a sense of connection to the origins and people of Vietnam.
Additionally, many workshops in Phu Lang offer hands-on pottery experiences. Visitors can try their hand at moulding clay, shaping it into forms, and take home their creations as unique souvenirs.
Phat Tich Pagoda
Phat Tich Pagoda, also known as Van Phuc Tu, was founded during the Ly Dynasty and is situated on Lan Kha Mountain in Tien Du District. The pagoda exemplifies the “inner public, outer private” architectural style characteristic of the Ly Dynasty, with three levels perched on the mountainside. It is a popular destination for tourists visiting Bac Ninh.
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Phat Tich Pagoda is home to a number of ancient and precious statues. Among the most impressive is the Amitabha Buddha statue, seated on a lotus throne. The statue, notable for its exceptional sculpting, measures 1.87 metres in area. In addition, there are ten large sacred animal statues carved from a single piece of sandstone, all of which have been recognised as national treasures.
The pagoda is also a hub for cultural events, with many festivals held throughout the year. The Peony Flower Festival, inspired by the legend of “Tu Thuc meets a fairy,” and the Phat Tich Pagoda Festival, featuring traditional cultural activities and folk games, are particularly popular with visitors.
Dong Ho Painting Village
Dong Ho paintings are a distinctive cultural feature of Bac Ninh Province. In a scene from the MV Bac Bling, singer Hoa Minzy, accompanied by three girls holding musical instruments, evokes the spirit of the famous painting Dong Ho Tu Nu.
Dong Ho Painting Village is located on the southern bank of the Duong River in Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh. Traditionally, Dong Ho paintings—also known as folk woodcut prints—were sold during the Lunar New Year for decorating homes. With their beauty, national identity, and enduring appeal to both local and international visitors, the craft of Dong Ho painting has earned recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
A visit to Dong Ho Painting Village offers the chance to admire exquisite and beautiful works of art, as well as to engage with the artisans who bring these paintings to life. In spring, the village hosts the Dong Ho Painting Festival, held from the 14th to the 16th of the third lunar month. This vibrant celebration invites visitors to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, steeped in traditional cultural identity.
But Thap Pagoda
But Thap Pagoda, also known as Ninh Phuc Tu, covers an area of approximately 10,000 square metres and was established in the 14th century. Like Phat Tich Pagoda, it showcases the architectural style of “inner public, outer private,” with its design reflecting the traditional layout of the period.
Today, But Thap Pagoda is home to numerous national treasures, the most notable of which is the statue of the Goddess of Mercy, with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands. Made of painted wood, this remarkable sculpture stands at 235cm and was created by the sculptor Truong Tho Nam in 1656.
Adjacent to the statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin are three statues representing the Three Worlds, seated upon lotus thrones. These statues symbolise the ancient Vietnamese people’s prayers for rain and bountiful harvests. Another significant treasure is the Nine-Piece Lotus Tower, a nine-storey structure with eight sides, each adorned with intricate reliefs that depict scenes related to Buddhism.
In addition to these treasures, visitors can explore Bao Nghiem Tower, located on the temple grounds. Shaped like a giant pen, this tower features vivid and unique motifs, further enriching the cultural experience.
