Ba Cho Duoc Procession Festival in Thang Binh: National Heritage, Programme and How to Get There

The Legend of Ba Cho Duoc and the Cho Duoc Area

Cho Duoc is a countryside market on the Truong Giang River, in the former Binh Trieu area of Thang Binh District (formerly Quang Nam). According to the legend recorded by newspapers and local information portals, Ba Cho Duoc (the Lady of Cho Duoc) was a woman of great virtue whose spirit helped villagers settle the land and trade, giving rise to a busy market. The villagers built a shrine to her and hold a festival every year to remember her merits.

The Ba Cho Duoc Shrine stands in Phuoc Am hamlet beside the Truong Giang River, about 7 km east of Ha Lam town. Since Quang Nam merged into Da Nang and commune-level units were rearranged, the press now describes the area as part of Thang An commune. When asking for directions, it is easier to say “Ba Cho Duoc Shrine” or just “Cho Duoc”.

What the Co Procession Is and Why It Is Unique

“Co” are brightly decorated models built to recreate scenes from classical opera, historical stories and folk legends, with characters such as Saint Giong and the Trung Sisters. Village children dress as the characters, sitting or standing on the co platforms and parading with the procession to the beat of festival drums. This is regarded as the soul of the festival and the part that draws the biggest crowd.

According to the Vietnam national tourism portal, the Ba Cho Duoc Festival was added to the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list under Decision No. 4205/QD-BVHTTDL in 2014. Alongside the procession, the festival reflects the Vietnamese belief in mother goddess worship and the hopes of river communities for good weather and prosperous trade.

The 2026 Festival Programme

According to press reports on the 2026 season, the activities ran from 25 to 28 February 2026 (the 9th to 12th of the 1st lunar month in the Year of the Horse), with 26 and 27 February as the key days. The table below lists only the milestones that several sources mention. The programme can differ each year, so check the local announcements.

Converting the Dates to the Gregorian Calendar

Because the festival follows the lunar calendar, you need to count from the first day of Tet. In 2026 the first day of Tet was 17 February, so the 10th and 11th of the 1st lunar month were 26 and 27 February. In 2027 the first day of Tet is 6 February 2027, so the 10th and 11th fall on 15 and 16 February 2027. This is a conversion from the calendar only. The exact times and content still depend on the organisers’ announcement each year.

Tips for Watching the Co Procession

• The procession draws big crowds along the village lanes, so choose an open spot at a crossroads or on higher ground and avoid blocking the route.
• In 2026 the main procession ran in the afternoon and evening, so arrive early to find a place and bring a small torch for the way back.
• The children on the co platforms are local residents. Ask permission before taking close-up photos and do not touch the models.
• Keep the market and riverbank clean, ask the price before you buy and keep your belongings secure in the crowd.
• If you would like to hear more about the kind of singing heard at the festival, read our guide to bai choi in Hoi An.

How to Get to Cho Duoc

Cho Duoc lies in the same direction as the Da Nang to Tam Ky route, about 70 km according to Sun Travel’s rate table, or around 1.5 hours when the road is clear. On festival days many vehicles head into the area. If you drive yourself, leave the car in a parking spot away from the centre and walk in. If you are travelling as a family or group, book a private car from Da Nang to Tam Ky and tell the driver clearly where you want to be picked up and dropped off at Cho Duoc so the driver can plan the route. Rough prices for each vehicle type are in the FAQ section.

If you are staying in Hoi An and want to combine the trip with other plans, take a look at our Da Nang and Hoi An car rates to compare your options. Vehicles often fill up early in the year, so book ahead.