ECHOING JOURNEY BẾN TRE TRAVELOGUE | ĐÁO LỆ KỲ YÊN 05.2026

ĐÁO LỆ KỲ YÊN is a 2-day 1-night field trip to explore the history, cultural communities, and religious life along the islets of the lower Tiền River: Bến Tre, on the occasion of the Kỳ Yên Festival (Tí-Ngọ-Mão-Dậu cycle) at Phú Tự Communal House.

My homeland has three rows of islets. There are coconuts to eat and betel palms to chew.

In the book Phủ Biên Tạp Lục, in the mid-18th century, Lê Quý Đôn recorded: "From the estuaries of Cần Giờ, Lôi Lạp, cửa Đại, cửa Tiểu inward, all were dense forests stretching thousands of miles." But that was only from an outside perspective, as inside there were already pockets of settlers clearing land to live. When Vietnamese settlers arrived in Bến Tre, they chose higher ridges to settle. Ba Tri was the earliest developed area because it was a stopping point for migrants arriving by sea. Gradually, the population increased, forming hamlets, camps, and villages. According to scholar Vương Hồng Sển, the name Bến Tre originated from Srock Tréy, meaning Fish Land, later adapted into Bến Tre by Vietnamese settlers.

KỲ YÊN FESTIVAL VISIT will explore historical and cultural memories of the areas: An Hội, Phú Khương, Hưng Nhượng, An Đức in the former Bến Tre province, and participate in the Kỳ Yên Festival (Ngọ year featuring traditional Hát Bội opera) at Phú Tự Communal House.

TIME: 02-03.05.2026.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the historical-cultural-religious significance of the field study locations.
2. Participate in and learn about the Grand Kỳ Yên Festival at Phú Tự Communal House, and enjoy traditional Hát Bội performance.
3. Experience distinctive local cuisine of the region.

PROPOSED ITINERARY:

1. Theory session: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Saturday, 25.04.2026: Southern Kỳ Yên Festival traditions
2. Gathering time: 6:30 AM, Saturday, 02.05.2026, at District 1, departing for Bến Tre.
3. Schedule:

Day 1: Saturday, 02.05.2026

• 7:00AM - 8:00AM: Breakfast (Hu Tieu Gio Heo Binh Tay), coffee on site.
• 10:00AM - 12:30PM: Visit Phước Long Ancient Pagoda, Long Vân Hầu Trương Tấn Bửu Temple, Roman Parish Church.
• 12:30PM - 2:00PM: Lunch at Ý Nhi Restaurant.
• 1:30PM - 3:00PM: Visit heritage sites: Cái Bông Church / Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Memorial Temple.
• 4:00PM - 6:00PM: Check-in at Huỳnh Thảo Hotel and dinner at 7 Thép Restaurant.
• 6:00PM - 10:00PM: Participate in the Kỳ Yên Festival at Phú Tự Communal House.
• 10:30PM - 6:30AM: Rest.

Day 2: Sunday, 03.05.2026

• 7:00AM - 8:30AM: Breakfast at Nguyên Quán Hu Tieu, enjoy traditional Bến Tre filter coffee.
• 8:30AM - 11:30AM: Visit An Hội Communal House, Bến Tre Museum, Bến Tre Church, then check-out hotel.
• 12:30PM - 2:00PM: Lunch with roasted duck porridge, caramelized shrimp, and coffee break.
• 2:00PM - 5:30PM: Depart for Saigon, visiting along the way: Bạch Vân Pagoda, Bình Tạo Church, and Sơn Nam Memorial House.
• 5:30PM - 6:30PM: Dinner at Cháo lòng Hai Giác. Arrival at Bến Thành Market around 8:30 PM - 9:00 PM.

COST: 3,650,000 VND, including: theory session, 16-seat vehicle throughout the trip, 1-night hotel stay from 2-star standard or above (1-2 people per room), 6 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner featuring local specialties), snacks, drinking water, guide throughout the journey, audio devices, materials, insurance, offerings, entrance tickets (if any). Excludes personal expenses, shopping, and additional tips. 5% discount for participants who have previously joined any Echoing Journey program.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Minimum 8 participants and maximum 12 participants.

Program fee payment should be transferred after completing the registration form: https://forms.gle/VGrGvZNW7bsUd76E7

1. Account number: 1903 4511 4510 11, account holder: Phan Khắc Huy, Techcombank (TCB).
2. Account number: 0975004772, account holder: Phan Khắc Huy, Vietnam Prosperity Bank (VPB).
3. Momo wallet: 0975004772
   Transfer note: YourName_DLKY.

After receiving the transfer, we will confirm within 6 hours.

REFUND POLICY:

• If the program does not take place: 100% refund.
• Cancellation before 72 hours: 100% refund.
• Cancellation before 48-72 hours: 50% refund.
• Other cases: No refund.

CHILD POLICY:

• Children under 10 years old accompanied by parents (parents should consider whether the schedule is suitable): 50% of adult fee.
• Children from 10 to under 16 years old: 75% of adult fee.
• From 16 years old and above: Full adult fee.

For inquiries, please contact: 0907.686.080 (Huyền), or email: echoingdrum@gmail.com.