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(Source: Bao Dien Tu – Dang Cong San Viet Nam)

Hau dong is a ritual of spirit mediumship practiced in the Vietnamese spiritual culture and Đạo Mẫu – a Vietnamese mother goddess religion. Đạo Mẫu has long been a traditional belief of Vietnamese people. The religion has an important and special position in daily life of a country originating from the Wet Rice Civilization. The religion came into being by dint of the wishes of local people who hope good weather, wealthy life, and happiness.

A number of artistic elements are involved in hau dong ritual sessions such as music, singing, dance and different costumes. In addition, the invocation songs, or hát văn in Vietnamese are used to induce a trance in mediums. These songs have been described as a particularly noteworthy expression of the performing art of Kinh people. It is a harmony in a ceremony summarized and handed down in Vietnam culture. With such special features, the hau dong ritual itself is seen as an element of Vietnam intangible cultural heritage.

(Source: Nguoi Dua Tin)

Hau dong is often held in temples or palaces where there is always a solemn religious space for worshipping and making offerings to the holy beings. The ritual of mother worship is symbolized through the statues, folk paintings, decorations and costumes in five colors representing five basic elements of Eastern philosophy (metal, wood, water, fire and earth)

(Source: Thanh Nien)

People believe that the Mother Goddess is the supreme deity who has been reincarnated as the three Mother Goddesses – Heaven, Earth, Water, and Mountains and Forests – who look after all things. The Mother Goddess is worshipped in spacious palaces and temples and on small household altars in various configurations along with local deities. Mother Goddess worshippers consider her as the mother of all. She protects and supports them, giving them happiness, strength, and faith to overcome natural calamities, misfortunes, and illnesses. She also provides them a peaceful and prosperous life.