FESTIVAL

* Why festivals are important:

- Economic standpoint:
 Festivals attract a large number of visitors near and far  boosting local economies through
increased spending on accommodation, food, transportation, and souvenirs  generate revenue
 Local businesses, such as food vendors, artisans, and hospitality services, often experience
increased activity during festival times, showcasing local products and crafts during festivals can
boost sales and encourage sustainable production methods which contributes to the local economy
 Festivals create temporary jobs in various sectors  phục vụ nhu cầu khách du lịch, stimulating the
local job market or local employment
 [EXAMPLE] Create destination Branding: Successful music festivals can enhance a region's
image and reputation, attracting future tourists and investors  vòng tuần hoàn kinh tế lại tiếp diễn
 kinh tế đất nước ngày càng thịnh vượng
- Social standpoint
 Festivals foster a sense of belonging and unity, strengthen community bonds, offer a chance for
people to connect with their community and celebrate shared experiences.
 Provide occasions for family, friends, and neighbors to interact, share experiences, and create
lasting memories.
 Festivals provide a break from daily routines and offer recreational and entertainment
opportunities. They can offer a reprieve from stress and worries and contribute to overall mental
well-being.
 They help preserve and promote cultural heritage, traditions, and arts, ensuring they're passed onto
future generations.
- Education standpoint: Festivals offer a unique and immersive learning experience for tourists
 Cultural Immersion: Festivals are a microcosm of a culture, showcasing traditions, customs, and
values in a vibrant and engaging way. Tourists can observe and participate in activities that reflect
the local way of life.
 Historical Insights: Many festivals have deep historical roots, providing a window into a
destination's past. Through storytelling, performances, and rituals, tourists can gain a deeper
understanding of a place's history.
 Language Acquisition: Interacting with locals during festivals can help tourists improve their
language skills. Informal conversations and exposure to everyday language can accelerate language
learning.
 It's absolutely not wrong
Local Cuisine: for young
Festivals people traditional
often feature to not celebrate traditional
food and festivals.
drink, allowing tourists to sample
authentic flavors and learn about local culinary traditions.
Times are changing rapidly, and it's natural for younger generations to have different interests and
priorities. Factors like urbanization, globalization, and the digital age have significantly influenced how
*Why traditional festivals gradually disappear in modern times.
young people spend their time and what they value.
 Globalization: The influence of foreign cultures (Halloween, Christmas)  joyful and vibrant
While atmosphere  are continuously
traditional festivals hold immense advertised  Constant exposure
cultural significance, to diverse
it's essential cultures
to respect can dilute
individual the
choices.
Forcingappeal of local
anyone, traditions,
especially young especially among
people, to younger
participate generationsthey
in something  shift
don'ttowards
enjoy ortrendy/mainstream
understand can
festivals
be counterproductive.
 Emergence of technology and social media:
Instead of imposing traditions, it's more effective to:
* Festivals have changed over time/ Differences of festivals between the past and now
 Educate: Introduce young people to the history and meaning behind traditional festivals.
 From ritual to recreational: Traditionally, festivals were closely tied to religious ceremonies, harvest
 Involve: Find ways to make these celebrations more engaging and relevant to their interests.
celebrations, serving as communal celebrations of life cycles and natural phenomena  Modern
 festivals
Respect: often prioritizethat
Understand entertainment andmight
their priorities leisure, with and
differ, a focus
that'sonokay.
music, food, and cultural
experiences.
 From traditional to commercial: In the past, festivals were primarily focused on sharing resources
and celebrating community achievements.  Many festivals have become commercialized, with a
strong emphasis on sales, sponsorships, and profit
 From face-to-face interaction to digital integration: Traditional festivals relied on physical presence
and communal experiences  Modern festivals incorporate technology, offering online ticketing,
live streaming, and interactive elements
 Scale: Past: Festivals were often local or regional events with a smaller scale.  Present: Many
festivals have grown into large-scale events with global reach, attracting tourists and attendees from
diverse backgrounds.
Example: Music Festival
From Local Harvest Celebrations to Global Gastronomic Experiences
 Local Focus: Traditionally, food festivals were centered around celebrating local harvests and
culinary traditions.
 Global Cuisine: Modern food festivals showcase a diverse range of cuisines, transforming them
into global culinary showcases.
 Fusion and Innovation: The blending of different culinary cultures has led to innovative dishes
and cooking techniques.
* Festivals still be relevant in modern world
 Preservation of Culture: Festivals are vital for passing down cultural traditions and values to
future generations.
 Tourism and Economic Benefits: Many traditional festivals have become significant tourist
attractions, contributing to local economie
 Identity and Heritage: Festivals help people connect with their roots and build a strong sense of
identity.
 1. What festivals do many people in your country join in?
Wide range of famous meaningful festivals in Vietnam
For example
Tet – Lunar New Year
It’s time for
family to reunites, clean their homes [homes are given a deep clean], decorate homes with
traditional symbols [ traditional decorations filled every corner]

The atmosphere [joyful and vibrant] + [ different interesting activities from toasting midnight
fireworks to the cozy of gathering around wood fire to make chung cake…]
BUT

Not the only one

Besides
Mid-Autumn Festival, when people enjoy mooncakes and lanterns, and let’s not forget the
Hung King Commemoration Day, which honors our ancestors

2. Do you think festivals are important for tourism?

Play a crucial role for tourism

Stimulate local tourism revenue [transportations, accommodations and food] + create more job
opportunities [various sectors]

FOR EXAMPLE

Songkran water festival

Famous celebration in Thailand  with its famous tradition water splashing  symbolize
purification and good fortune  has drawn millions of both domestic and international tourists

The prime example

Boost local economy + provide work opportunities

3. Do you think tourists can learn more through these festivals?

offer a unique and immersive learning experience for tourists/

witness firsthand experiences of local culture [customs, cuisine, dance, music]

like having a front-row seat

provide a window for visitors

Let’s take VN as an example ; Upon

Attending Hung King Temple festival (takes place annually to commemorate Hung King – a
founder of the nation)

Get insight into the origins of the Vietnamese nation

4. Why are traditional festivals nowadays disappearing? [acknowledge this trend 

identify reasons  give own opinion about this trend]
It’s true/ becoming less prevalent in contemporary society

Several factors contribute to this decline

FIRSTLY ; WITH
Western culture (Halloween, Christmas…) → be all over the place  joyful and vibrant
atmosphere  make people more interested in trendy festivals
MOREOVER
Emergence of modern technology and social media → fade away
INSTEAD OF
Traditional gatherings
ASSOICATE THEMSELVE WITH
Virtual gatherings and online platforms

5. Why do you think festivals are important in society?

 Play a crucial role

Foster a sense of belonging and unity

Offer a chance for people to connect and celebrate shared experience

Offer a respite from /busy schedule and countless responsibilities / urban areas

From economic standpoint

Expand local revenue + provide employment opportunities

6. How have festivals changed over time?
Undergone massive transformation over the time
In the past
were closely tied to religious ceremonies, harvest celebrations

featuring strong communal participation + focus on preserving cultural heritage

However, in the modern times
globalization and technological advancements

become more commercialized and entertainment-oriented

While
still retain some traditional elements
but
emphasis on sales, profits and wide audience → generate revenue

7. What impact do festivals have on the local economy?

Attract tourists
Drive local economy growth
Increased spending on
 Boost local revenue
+
Offer a platform for small business to thrive
Become vibrant hubs during festival times
Provide everything to celebrate festivals
8. Are traditional festivals still relevant in the modern world?

9. How do people in Vietnam value traditional festivals?

Vietnamese people hold traditional festivals in high regard → as they serve as a cornerstone of
their cultural identity

has over about 1000 festivals per year (be held at national level ; only local celebration)

No matter the scale → viewed at essential → preserve our cultural heritage and passing down
traditions to future generation

10. What’s the difference between the ways festivals are celebrated now and in the past?
Undergone massive transformation over the year

Past Now
Example: The Lunar New year → once
[1] put more effort and [1] festivals have been lasted 3 weeks → elaborated
time → such events → simplified --> fit hectic life celebration (feast, firework, lion dance)

used to be more elaborate >< busy lifestyle → has squeezed into

a single week → swapping traditional
and authentic
activities for modern ones (travelling,
going shopping)
[2] often local or [2] have grown into large-
regional events with scale events with global
smaller scale reach, attracting tourists and
attendees from diverse
background
11. Do you think it is wrong for young people to not celebrate traditional festivals?
No

Time changes rapidly  it’s natural/ different interests and priorities

Factors- globalization, technology  influenced  what they value

While
Festivals hold immense cultural experience  respect individual choice  forcing____ 
counterproductive
Instead
Educate + find ways to make the traditional festivals are more engaging + relevant
Ultimately
Decision to participate in/ personal + based on individual preferences