Thousand-year-old kite festival becomes national cultural heritage

On the afternoon of April 12, the People's Committee of Hong Ha Commune and the People's Committee of Dan Phuong District ( Hanoi ) organized the Ba Duong Noi Kite Festival in 2025, receiving the certificate of recognition of national intangible cultural heritage for this festival and the certificate of recognition of the traditional kite making craft village from the Hanoi People's Committee.

Duong Noi kites combined with Dong Ho paintings ( Bac Ninh ) are a product line that many tourists are interested in.

PHOTO: PHAN HAU

Ba Duong Noi Kite Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the third lunar month and this is also the only kite village with a history of over 1,000 years in the capital Hanoi.

Legend has it that kite flying in Ba Duong Noi village is associated with the story of General Nguyen Ca - a general of the Dinh dynasty. After completing his mission and returning to the village, he taught people how to grow crops, raise animals and held many festivals, including the kite flying festival that is still preserved today.

Ba Duong Noi Kite Festival recognized as national intangible cultural heritage

PHOTO: HONG THAM

Sharing with Thanh Nien , Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hong Ha Commune, said that from a hobby during the free time of farming, kite flying has now been recognized as a traditional craft village. Kites have become a commercial product, helping people increase their income.

Ba Duong Noi has 136 families with traditional kite making, with 3 recognized kite artisans. The kites are completely handmade, each kite measuring 0.4 - 0.5 m is being sold for 300,000 - 350,000 VND. Larger flute kites are priced from 1 million VND or more, depending on the size, number of flutes and material used to make the kite.

Ba Duong Noi Kite Festival is held on the 15th day of the third lunar month every year, attracting a large number of locals and tourists.

PHOTO: PHAN HAU

According to Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, in the past 5 years, Ba Duong Noi people have combined Dong Ho painting on kites to make the products more beautiful and valuable.

When launched on the market, the product was well received by many customers, selling 5,000 - 7,000 kites each year.

Many foreign tourists also came to Ba Duong Noi to attend the kite flying festival on the afternoon of April 12.

PHOTO: PHAN HAU

"We are opening classes where artisans teach kite-making techniques to the younger generation; organizing sightseeing spots and kite-making experiences for tourists. In the plan to develop experiential tourism associated with this traditional craft, Hong Ha has set aside 4.5 hectares of land for kite-flying performances and experiences for tourists," said Mr. Ha.

According to kite maker Nguyen Huu Kiem, many countries in the world also have kite flying and kite flying festivals, but the unique feature of Ba Duong Noi village is the flute kite flying. When flying a flute kite, the kite will emit a simple but beautiful sound, creating an impression and emotion for the player and the viewer.

For many years, Ba Duong Noi village has had a club that gathers artisans and skilled kite makers to teach the younger generation.

PHOTO: PHAN HAU

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Khiem, not only participating in major festivals in the country, the kites of Ba Duong Noi village have participated in international kite festivals in Malaysia, China, France..., bringing home high awards.

Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet, Chairman of the Traditional Kite Club of Hong Ha Commune, said that the club was established and maintained for many years and attracted a large number of young people to participate.

This is a gathering place for kite enthusiasts from all over the commune, and here there are artisans and skilled kite makers who teach the younger generation kite making techniques as well as the kite flying culture passed down from their ancestors.

When the kite flying festival is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, and kite making is recognized as a traditional profession, Ba Duong Noi kites will continue to fly high and far in the future.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/le-hoi-tha-dieu-nghin-nam-tuoi-tro-thanh-di-san-van-hoa-quoc-gia-185250412190147928.htm