Festival series ‘Opening Heaven’s Gate’ on Fansipan peak during Tet

Accordingly, the Heaven’s Gate Opening Spring Festival 2026 opens from 9:15 a.m. on February 19 (the 3rd day of Tet) in Thanh Van Dac Lo area, with many special activities at Sun World Fansipan Legend. In the spiritual space amidst the clouds, tourists and Buddhists have the opportunity to participate in traditional rituals such as offering flowers, bathing Buddha and chanting sutras to pray for peace in the country and people. In addition, activities to ask for lucky words and a candle lighting ceremony to pray for peace are also organized for visitors to convey their wishes for a favorable new year.

In addition to the spiritual space, Ban May at the foot of Fansipan mountain becomes the center of the indigenous cultural flow with a series of unique ethnic festivals. From February 19 to 21, the Mong people’s Gau Tao Festival is recreated with solemn worship rituals and the custom of erecting bamboo trees to pray for good crops. This is an opportunity for visitors to experience the rhythm of highland life through the sound of flute, love songs and folk games such as bird’s nest fighting, pound throwing or learning about the traditional “wife-catching” custom.

Continuing the cultural flow, from February 28 to March 1, the Thai Xen Ban Xen Muong Festival will bring a vibrant festival space. The ceremony recreates the ritual of Master Mo giving thanks to the river and mountain gods; While the festival invites visitors to immerse themselves in the flower-spreading dance filled with community love. Typical Khen dance performances and games such as catching ducks blindfolded, walking on stilts, and climbing fat poles at Ban May help visitors get closer to the spiritual life of the Northwest people. In particular, from the 3rd to the 5th day of Tet, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy a Tet meal with highland specialties prepared according to local flavors.

In particular, the religious practice of worshiping the Mother Goddess Tam Phu, taking place from March 13 to 15, includes Buddha worshiping ceremonies and typical ritual performances, contributing to honoring Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage. This is the ending event of the spring festival series at Fansipan, bringing a comprehensive view to visitors of the diverse spiritual life of Vietnamese people.

At Fansipan peak at an altitude of 3,143 m, the flag raising ceremony will be performed 6 times per day, from February 19 to 22. This activity takes place during the hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., aiming to arouse national pride amid majestic nature. On the opening day of the 3rd day of Tet, 1,000 bags of fortune salt will be given to visitors participating in the first flag-raising ceremony as a lucky gift at the beginning of the year.

The series of events not only serves the sightseeing and worship needs of tourists, but also contributes to preserving and promoting the traditional beauty of ethnic minorities in Lao Cai.

In addition to festivals, the landscape at Sun World Fansipan Legend is also carefully invested to welcome spring visitors. The highlight this year is the miniature scene “Ma Dai spring” at Ngu Sac flower garden with the image of a herd of mighty horses, symbolizing success and breakthrough in the year of the Horse. Stretching from the station area to the top of the mountain are paths of fresh flowers shaped like the word Fansipan, a giant Bodhi leaf model and Fansipan peak made of flowers, creating a backdrop for taking photos amid the spring colors.