Hầu Đồng – The Spiritual Art of Vietnamese Mediumship Ceremony

The Mother Goddess Worship (Tín ngưỡng thờ Mẫu) is a deeply rooted spiritual tradition, created, preserved, and passed down through generations by the Vietnamese people. At its core, this belief system embodies profound ethical and humanistic values, rooted in the timeless Vietnamese principle: "Uống nước nhớ nguồn" (When drinking water, remember its source), emphasizing gratitude and ancestral reverence. The Mother figure takes center stage, symbolizing nurturing, protection, and divine power. One of the most captivating aspects of this tradition is Hầu Đồng - a mystical, theatrical ritual that brings Mother Goddess Worship to life, blending artistry with sacred devotion.

But what exactly is Hầu Đồng? How is it performed? Please read on as we unveil the beauty and significance of this sacred ritual.

Written by Trang Nguyen (Local Expert) Updated on 11-03-2025

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1. What is Hầu Đồng? Why is it performed?

Mediumship ceremony, also known as Hầu Đồng, Hầu Bóng or Đồng Bóng, is a ritual within folk beliefs and religious practices dedicated to the worship of mother goddesses in Đạo Mẫu, a form of shamanistic faith followed by various ethnic groups, including in Vietnamese folk beliefs.

Hầu Đồng is a highly sacred spiritual practice. It is believed that deities or spirits possess the medium (ông đồng for males, bà đồng for females) to deliver messages, heal illnesses, and grant blessings. At this moment, the mediums are considered the embodiment of the deity possessing them.

This is also a ritual within the Mother Goddess Worship (Tứ Phủ) system, which includes the worship of deities governing Heaven, Earth, Water, and Mountains (Nhạc Phủ). This ritual often has different variations and expressions in the worship of deities in temples.

So, you can generally understand it as a spiritual state in which a deity "enters" a medium’s body and expresses their speech, actions, and desires through the medium.

2. Who can perform a mediumship ceremony?

The subject of who is qualified to do Hầu Đồng is not precisely answered, nor is there any specific research on who can become a Hầu Đồng medium. The majority of those who perform this ceremony, however, are thought to have a spiritual calling (căn đồng), which could be a result of a weaker spiritual energy field or something inherited from their family.

People with a weaker spiritual connection may also experience possession when visiting temples and shrines. This is known as Ốp Đồng. Such individuals are often referred to as Người Cao Số or Người Hữu Duyên (A person with a fated destiny), meaning they are spiritually connected to the deities of the Four Palaces (Tứ Phủ).

Typically, if someone has a spiritual calling (căn đồng) but has not yet formally presented themselves to the deities, they may suffer from health issues, financial struggles, persistent illnesses, or unexplained misfortunes despite medical treatment.

It is believed that only after participating in Hầu Đồng ceremonies will their health recover, and their career or business improve. Once initiated into Hầu Đồng, mediums often perform rituals on special occasions, such as:

• August (Father’s Death Anniversary)
• March (Mother Goddess' Death Anniversary)

These are considered spiritually significant dates when mediums organize mediumship ceremony (lên đồng).

3. How is Hầu Đồng practiced?

3.1 The Preparation

The ritual typically requires offerings (lễ trình đồng), which, while simple in traditional practice, have become increasingly elaborate over time. Essential offerings include:

• Sticky rice, meat, fruits, betel nuts, wine, incense, votive paper, and sacred money.
• A ritual tray (kỷ tháp) covered with a silk cloth, featuring a mirror draped with an embroidered veil at its center.
• Four trays representing the Four Palaces (Tứ Phủ), each containing nine eggs, a comb, a fan, a wooden clog, and nine pieces of square fabric.
• Additional sacred objects such as a small ritual cup, a small basin, a tray with phoenix-embroidered shoes, and one hundred votive gold ingots.
• Before the altar, paper effigies, two large votive boats with twelve human figurines rowing, a pair of votive horses, and a pair of votive elephants with full harnesses and bridles are placed.

Beyond material offerings, Hầu Đồng requires:

• A live orchestra consisting of instruments like the moon lute (đàn nguyệt), two-string fiddle (đàn nhị), flute (sáo), large drum (trống lớn), small drum (trống nhỏ), cymbals (đảnh đôi), and rhythm clappers (phách). Depending on the location, some instruments may be added or omitted, but the moon lute, small drum, and cymbals are essential.
• Elaborate costumes, with up to 36 sets corresponding to the 36 Giá Đồng (incarnations), each representing a different deity. Colors follow the Four Palaces' symbolism: red for the Heaven Palace (Phủ Thiên), yellow for the Earth Palace (Phủ Địa), white for the Water Palace (Phủ Thoải), and green for the Mountain & Forest Palace (Phủ Nhạc).
• Accessories such as red veils, ceremonial scarves, colored sashes, ivory tokens, silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bead necklaces, fans, and cosmetics.

3.2 The Performance

Each Hầu Đồng session is a deeply spiritual experience in which the Thanh đồng (the medium) is believed to be possessed by a deity and acts according to the divine’s will. The ritual unfolds through a series of elaborate steps:

• 👗 Changing Ceremonial Attire 

Since each deity requires a specific outfit, the first step before performing a new incarnation is to change into the appropriate costume. The colors and design of the attire correspond to the Four Palaces (Tứ Phủ) - red for the Heaven Palace (Phủ Thiên), yellow for the Earth Palace (Phủ Địa), white for the Water Palace (Phủ Thoải), and green for the Mountain & Forest Palace (Phủ Nhạc).

Good to know: "Khăn chầu, áo ngự," also known as "khăn áo" (ceremonial scarves and robes), have long been essential items for thanh đồng (spirit mediums). Each thanh đồng possesses a unique set called "áo bản mệnh" (personal destiny robe) and "khăn bản mệnh" (personal destiny scarf), which are specific to them.

• 🙏 Offering Incense and Performing Rituals (Dâng hương and cúng lễ) 

The medium lights incense and performs purification gestures to ward off negative spirits. Holding a bundle of burning incense wrapped in a scented cloth in the left hand, they make ritual gestures with the right hand to invite the deity's presence.

• 🎭 Divine Possession

Once the spirit enters the medium, they drop the incense, symbolizing complete surrender to the deity. From this moment, the medium is believed to act under the divine’s control.

• 💃Sacred Dance and Performances

During a Hầu Đồng ceremony, the Thanh đồng (medium) performs ritual dances with sacred objects - flags, swords, sabers, halberds, fans, or bare hands—depending on the deity being channeled. The choreography, influenced by Chèo (Vietnamese folk opera) and folk performances, creates an enchanting display. Cung văn (ritual singers) accompany the dance with Chầu Văn tunes, describing the deity’s character, scene, and recounting their legend and deeds.

As the Mother Goddess worship and mediumship ceremonies flourish, Hát Chầu Văn (Vietnamese ritual singing) continues to evolve. Today, this art form is receiving increasing attention for preservation and has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.

• 💰🍀 Blessings and Offerings (Ban Lộc) 

As the deity expresses approval, the medium bestows blessings upon participants. These may include money, fruits, wine, and sacred objects, symbolizing prosperity and divine favor. Attendants and worshippers eagerly receive these gifts as signs of good fortune.

• 🕊️ Spirit Departure

When the medium sits still, crosses their arms before their forehead, and shudders slightly, it signals the spirit’s departure, marking the end of that incarnation (giá đồng). The cycle then repeats for each new deity being invoked.

>>>> Read more: The Sacred Altars of Vietnam: A Look at Ancestor Worship

4. Where can I see the mediumship ceremonies?

• Phu Day (Nam Dinh)

📍 Location: Kim Thai, Vu Ban District, Nam Dinh

The most sacred center of Mother Goddess Worship in Vietnam. The Phu Day Festival (3rd day of the 3rd lunar month) is the grandest tribute to Thanh Mau Lieu Hanh, attracting thousands of worshippers seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, and love.

• Phu Tay Ho (Hanoi)

📍 Location: 52 Dang Thai Mai Street, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi

A revered site in Hanoi’s spiritual and cultural heritage, especially crowded on the 1st and 15th lunar days. The Mau Lieu Hanh procession (3rd day of the 3rd lunar month) features a grand parade, while Hat Chau Van performances (6th-7th) enhance the festivities.

• Den Tran (Nam Dinh)

📍 Location: Tran Thua Street, Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City

Built in 1695, this temple honors the Tran Dynasty emperors. The Den Tran Festival (15th-20th of the 8th lunar month) is one of Vietnam’s most significant spiritual events.

• Bao Ha Temple / Hoang Bay Temple (Lao Cai)

📍 Location: Bao Ha, Bao Yen District, Lao Cai City

Dedicated to Hoang Bay, a legendary military leader. Worshippers flock here during the first days of the lunar year for blessings. The busiest days are the 3rd and 4th lunar days, with even larger crowds toward the year's end.

• Den Mau (Hung Yen)

📍 Location: 141 Bai Say Street, Quang Trung District, Hung Yen City

Honoring Duong Quy Phi, this temple hosts the Den Mau Festival (10th-15th of the 3rd lunar month), featuring a grand procession. The 14th of the 7th lunar month marks Moc Duc Day, a sacred robe-changing ceremony.

• Ba Chua Kho Temple (Bac Ninh)

📍 Location: Co Me, Vu Ninh Ward, Bac Ninh City

Dedicated to Ba Chua Kho, a revered figure from the Ly Dynasty. The Ba Chua Kho Festival (10th of the 1st lunar month) marks the start of a month-long celebration where devotees pray for prosperity in the new year.

5. How to respectfully observe a Hầu Đồng Ceremony

• Dress appropriately: Wear formal, respectful attire. White, yellow, or red are generally suitable, while flashy or inappropriate clothing should be avoided.
• Respect the spiritual atmosphere: Keep a calm and open mind. Meditation or quiet reflection beforehand can enhance your experience.
• Maintain silence: Hầu Đồng is a solemn event. Avoid talking loudly or causing distractions.
• Observe and listen: Pay close attention to the rituals, music, and performances to better understand the ceremony.
• Participate respectfully: Only engage in rituals if invited. Do not interrupt or attempt to imitate the performers.
• Receiving lucky money (Ban Lộc): During the ceremony, the Thanh Đồng may throw money or distribute gifts as blessings. If collecting money for good luck, do so calmly and respectfully, ensuring you don’t disrupt the ceremony or others around you.

And our last words...

More than just a ritual, Hầu Đồng is a living expression of Vietnamese spiritual heritage, shaped by centuries of history, resilience, and reverence for the divine. Despite the ebbs and flows of time, it continues to be a vital cultural treasure, connecting people to their faith, ancestors, and the unseen world. If you ever have the chance to experience Hầu Đồng, embrace it with an open heart - you may find yourself amazed, inspired, and deeply moved.

And if you’ve already witnessed this incredible tradition, we’d love to hear your thoughts—drop us a comment and share your experience!