Buddha offering Ritual before the opening of the Thang Ba full moon festival (Photo: Tuoitre)

It is annually held on March 15th of lunar calendar and recogized as a provincial-level traditional cultural festival in 2004 by the Quang Binh provincial People's Committee.

The original of it is told through mouth with the legend of Buddha in That But – Doc Cang by the local people in Minh Hoa.

The purpose of the festival is to preserve and uphold traditional cultural values of ethnic minority communities in the province. This is an opportunity to promote internal strength of the land and people of Minh Hoa district, creating the driving force for socio-economic development of the district.

making "Boi Ngo" - a typical dish of Minh Hoa people (Photo: Tuoitre)

The festival has three parts, including ceremonies, folk games and fair which has been maintained for a long time.

Today, the most crowded and interesting full - moon fair in March is the one in Quy Dat town. People who are from different parts come here not only to sell or buy things but also to meet, talk, and share their feelings through folk songs such as "Vi" singning, "Dum" singning, "Ho Keo Nuoc" tunes, "Ho Thuoc" tunes and so on, or they can know more each other thanks to participating in folk games. Two famous dishes at this full – moon fair are “Oc moi” and “Boi ngo cham Mat Ong”.

Boi Ngo cooking contest at the Thang Ba full moon festival (Photo: Tuoitre)

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