Khanh Hoa speaks out about the 'noise' of singing and dancing at the Ponagar Tower Festival

On the evening of April 21, a representative of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Monuments Conservation Center provided official information about the issue of many images and videos of dancing and singing activities at the Ponagar Tower Festival shared on social networks in recent days, causing much controversy.

The special national relic Ponagar Tower is a famous tourist destination in Nha Trang, as well as a place to practice the worship of Motherland with the worship of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau of the Vietnamese people.

PHOTO: BA DUY

From April 17 to 20 (March 20 to 23 of the lunar calendar), the Ponagar Tower Festival took place at the Ponagar Tower National Monument (Nha Trang City) to commemorate the merits of Thien YA Na Thanh Mau (called Po Inư Nagar by the Cham people), the Mother of the land who taught people how to make a living. During the festival, the Ponagar Tower National Monument attracted a large number of people, pilgrims, and tourists to attend.

However, some images of dancing and singing with characters transformed into stylized tigers and leopards at the tower area have caused controversy on social networks. Many opinions say that these activities lack solemnity and are not suitable for Mother Goddess worship.

Images of a dancing and singing scene with characters transformed into stylized tigers and leopards at the tower area have caused controversy on social networks.

PHOTO: Social media

Responding to this issue, a representative of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Monuments Conservation Center confirmed that the singing and dancing activities shared on social networks are part of the "festival" part of the Ponagar Tower Festival.

At the same time, a representative of the Management Board of the special relic of Thap Ba said that this activity has been organized for many years, and folk beliefs call these performances "dance to the Mother Goddess", "ball dance" and not "hau dong" as the information is spreading.

Ball dancing is a traditional cultural feature of Khanh Hoa people. The dances and offerings to Mother Goddess show the children's respect and gratitude to Mother Goddess.

PHOTO: BA DUY

According to the management unit's explanation, these are just "fun dances for the Mother Goddess" during the festival. The "ceremony" part is still held separately before the "festival", with a solemn incense offering ritual, without noisy dancing and singing activities.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, Head of the Management Board of the special relic of Thap Ba, "ball dance" is a traditional cultural feature of the people of Khanh Hoa. The dances and offerings to the Mother Goddess are to express the children's respect and gratitude to the Mother Goddess. The cultural belief in worshiping the Mother Goddess is a typical cultural feature, carrying the unique cultural values ​​of the people of Khanh Hoa.

View of Ponagar Tower Festival 2025

PHOTO: BA DUY

The Ponagar Tower Festival is an important cultural and religious activity of the South Central - Central Highlands residents, attracting a large number of people to participate every year. The event not only contributes to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values ​​but also introduces the unique religious beauty of Khanh Hoa to the people and tourists from all over the world.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khanh-hoa-len-tieng-ve-on-ao-mua-hat-tai-le-hoi-thap-ba-ponagar-185250421201757232.htm