Rising violence at some traditional festivals may be related to the revival of inappropriate cultural values, a researcher from the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), Bui Trong Hien, has suggested.

Hien says the encouragement of people to fight and attack one another to get some items during such festivals as the Giong in the Soc temple of Hanoi’s Soc Son District, and at the Tran temple in Nam Dinh Province, in the belief such items will bring them good luck are a throwback to long out-dated customs.

People fought to get a bamboo flower from a palanquin during a procession at the Giong Festival in Hanoi’s Soc Son District on February 24.

Perpetuation of ancient customs and rituals appears to condone robberies, physical assaults and even murder, Hien argues.

“Everything should be seen in context of what is right and wrong in today's society, not based on someone's personal beliefs," Hien said.

"But we have revived too many festivals that are no longer suitable for modern life, and we cannot simply ban them immediately."

He says many communities want to maintain their own festivals as they consider them to be unique and a source of pride, but some activities should be viewed with caution, in particular those that incite violence or social disorder, or at odds with what society as a whole deems acceptable.

One key step would be to remove or better explain violent and brutal stories in school textbooks so students do not seek to emulate such behaviour in real life, or come to view it as acceptable.

“Violent festival like pig slaughtering in Nem Thuong Commune of Bac Ninh Province should not be open to all visitors but be designed for only residents in the village, who better understand its meaning. Visitors should be only encouraged to see other parts of the festival,” he said.

Controversial Pig Slaughter Ceremony in Bac Ninh

Hien suggested that to minimise violent activities at traditional festivals, the authorities should consider developing and adopting clear cultural policies.