Dating back to the 18th century, the Lim Festival evolved from a village celebration to a large-scale regional event encompassing the entire Noi Due Commune, which at the time included six villages.

At its core, the Lim Festival symbolizes the cultural unity of Noi Due. It began as a local festival in Lim Village and expanded into a communal celebration, fostering inter-village connections. This spirit is most evident in the ritual of carrying royal edicts (sắc) from Dinh Ca Village Temple to Lo Bao Village Temple, symbolizing historical unity and inter-village harmony.

The festival also features deep-rooted spiritual elements, particularly the veneration of the village’s tutelary deity and General Nguyen Dinh Dien. Rituals such as incense offerings, ceremonial tributes, and the unique “hat tho” (worship singing) demonstrate the community's reverence and prayers for national peace and prosperity.

Most importantly, the Lim Festival serves as a living space for preserving and promoting quan ho folk songs. These songs are the soul of the festival, with various performance styles including duet exchanges, boat singing, and all-night quan ho sessions. These not only preserve traditional formats but also ensure the art is practiced and passed down continuously, reinforcing its designation by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Lim Festival also honors regional historical figures such as Do Nguyen Thuy and Ba Mu A, who played pivotal roles in maintaining traditions and fostering the festival's development.

The Lim Festival is often described as a living museum, vividly showcasing historical values, local spirituality, and especially the cultural essence of quan ho Bac Ninh singing. It highlights the deep and sophisticated bonds among quan ho villages.

With its intricate rituals and vibrant cultural performances, Lim Festival offers a vivid cultural mosaic that reflects the distinctive identity and rich heritage of the Kinh Bac region.

Tinh Le