"Flying palanquin" is the most prominent and special feature in the festival of Phu Do village (Nam Tu Liem, Ha noi, Vietnam) held every 5 years on 7-8 January.

There are 7 palanquin processions: the young men receive 2 palanquin palaces "Ông", 1 palanquin "Long Đình", 2 palanquin "Hương án" and 1 palanquin "bún". Female procession 1 palanquin
"grandmother".

The atmosphere was lively right after the ceremony, taking orders from the elderly, 7 palanquin supported by dozens of young men and women began the "flying palanquin" throughout the village's alley.

The procession must coordinate to rotate the palanquin so that both fast and not fall.

The impressive "dramatic procession" and "Flying palanquin" of boys in Phu Do village festival is the attraction to attract thousands of people to the festival.

"Palanquin" sometimes go leisurely, suddenly very fast, two palanquin run opposite the opposite direction extremely dangerous.

Palanquin flying is the most sacred and exciting highlight of the festival. The viewers also begin running, making room for the dance of the palanquin.

I half-doubt when watching the palanquin running, or to be more precise, flying. It seems not to be touching the carriers’ shoulders, whilst the carriers seem to be holding the palanquin back lest it will fly away. While running, strangely, the palanquin does not touch any of the trees or power poles along the village’s roads.

“I cannot explain my feeling when carrying the palanquin. It is somehow light and I don’t feel tired though I have run nearly three kilometres at least,” says another carrier.

Elders say the flying of the palanquin means the village will have much prosperity and good health during the year. I wonder if there is something mythical in the festival.

But, no matter what it is, it has been a fine trait of Vietnamese spiritual culture which needs to be maintained and bequeathed onto the next generations.