This year, Ky Yen Thuong Dien Festival in Binh Thuy Communal House takes place from May 12th to the early morning of May 14th, 2021 (the 12th - 14th of lunar April).

On the 11th of lunar April, the day before the official Ky Yen Thuong Dien, the communal house’s representatives set up and perform the following opening rituals: Three-entrance gate opening, Te Dat, Cung Tien, and Trinh Sanh. Ong Tu is responsible for door opening on time and in turn: the doors should be open from left to right, then the back door, the side door, and the front door to pray to Gods for a successful festival. Te Dat Ritual takes place at the communal house to inform the Earth God of the upcoming ceremonies in the hope of his witness and blessing. In Cung Tien Ritual, villagers will present offerings to report on the festival hosting. Trinh Sanh Ritual is performed at Than Nong Shrine on the campus of the communal house with a set of three offerings to pray for the country and the village's prosperity and well-being of people.

The first ritual, Thinh Sac Than, is at 2 a.m. After that, Than Nong Ritual is performed in the shrine at 5 a.m. At noon, the ritual of Sac Than Cloth Exchanging is made. This ritual serves two purposes. One is to check on Sac Than and the other is to offer local people to see Sac Than that King Tu Duc bestowed on the communal house. It is followed by the two rituals of Xay Chau and Dai Boi. The former is practiced in harmony and balance between Chau Van and Chau Vo. The latter is performed by artists in the “Boi” troupe. The ritual of Xay Chau reappeared through their performances with traditional costumes, dance moves, and folk songs.

The next morning, Te Ban Ritual is held in the main hall. During the meeting, organizers determine offerings and assign tasks. Tuc Yet Ritual is a ceremonial welcome of gods at 2 a.m. on the 14th of lunar April. The eulogy will be burned after the organizers finish reading it. The next morning, the most important ritual, Chanh Te, takes place at 2 a.m. to express thanks to Gods and worship Tien Hien, Hau Hien and pray for the martyrs. Next ritual is Ton Vuong. While “Tuong” show is ongoing outdoors, the offerings are brought on stage and the “Boi” troupe performs Ton Vuong Ritual in the main hall. After that, Son Quan Ritual at Son Quan Shrine, or Ong Ho Shrine, is made to show villagers’ great respect for Gods and wish for a peaceful life.

The offerings of each ritual are customarily followed due to traditions and deep meanings passed down from generation to generation. In addition to rituals and Boi performances at Ky Yen Festival, there is a sticky rice cooking contest, local cuisine fairs, and folk games, which attract a large number of participants.

Over hundreds of years, Ky Yen Festival in Binh Thuy Communal House has become a unique cultural and spiritual activity, affirming the long-standing traditional values of the land and the Can Tho people. Not only does the festival enrich people’s spiritual lives, but it also preserves and transmits cultural values. Furthermore, it meets the spiritual and recreational needs of local people and unites the community.

Binh Thuy Communal House (also known as Long Tuyen Ancient Shrine) is an ancient architectural communal temple in Can Tho with many valuable traditional arts of Vietnamese people, especially Can Tho local people during the reclamation period of the Southwest region. Binh Thuy Communal House was built in 1844. In 1989, it was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national architectural and artistic relic.