Ninh Binh - Dedicated To The Divine
Discover Vietnam’s cultural essence on a pilgrimage to Trang
An during the festival season. Considered a sacred land in Vietnam, Trang An is
known for its traditional festivals, which allow people to connect with the
divine. During these festivals, people make sacrifices to deities and keep
memories of ancestors and national heroes alives.
Truong Yen Festival
An old saying about this former citadel advises: “ Those who
are the offspring of Dragons and Fairies/Go and join the Truong Yen Festival in
March”. One of the largest festivals in Trang An, the Truong Yen festival takes
place from Lunar March 8 to 10 in memory of the illustrious deeds of Emperor
Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh. According to legend, Lunar March 10
marked the coronation of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. A water of procession and
sacrifice ceremonies are held on this day. The water procession starts at
Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang Temple and reaches the Hoang Long River by boat, then
returns to the temple by land. After dark, sacrifices are performed
simultaneously on the two temples of
Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh. Fun game ensue, with the most
famous being “ reed fights” that reenact Dinh Bo Linh’s childhood as a
shepherd. Thanks to his game, the Truong Yen Festival is also known as the
“ Red Flag Festival”.
Thai Vi Festival
Each year on Lunar March 15, a festival honouring the Tran
Emperors is held in Thai Vi Temple in Van Lam Village, Ninh Hai Commue, Hoa Lu.
The temple is Tong, Tran Anh Tong, Tran Nhan Tong and Empress Dowager Hien Tu.
Old stories relate that following their victories over invading Mongolian
troops, the Tran Emperor visited Thien Truong (Nam Dinh) to perform sacrifice
ceremonies for their ancestors and celebrate their victories. The rituals
include a palanquin procession and sacrifices for the Tran Emperors in Thai Vi
Temple. These rituals are followed by local folk games and entertainment such
as kylan dances, dragon dances, human chess games, wrestling matches, rowing,
etc.
Saint Quy Minh
Emperor Festival
Saint Quy Minh Emperor also known as Saint Cao Son, is a
folk deity worshiped in Tran Temple and one of the four sacred guardians of the
former citadel of Hoa Lu. Legend has it that the Saint Quy Minh Emperor Temple
was built by Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang in the 10th century in the
hopes of ensuring security on the nation’s borders. Following his victories
over Mongolian invaders, Emperor Tran Thai Tong chose the temple as a place to
practice Buddhism, and rebuilt the first wooden temple into a grander marble
building with unique decorative patterns. Known locally as Tran Temple, this
tranquil site is only accessible by boat. During the festival on Lunar March
18, thousands of boats carry locals and tourists down the Sao Khe River to
perform divine sacrifices, join a water procession and release fish to pray for
national people peace, bumper crops and favourable weather.
Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival
The Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex comprises the old Bai Dinh
Pagoda and the grand Bai Dinh complex constructed in Sinh Duoc Village, Gia
Sinh Commue, Gia Vien District in 2003. This spring festival lasts from Lunar
January 6 to the end of Lunar March. Key events include a dedication of incense
to Buddha in memory of the deeds of Saint Nguyen Minh Khong and sacrifice to
Saint Cao Son, Saint Nguyen and the Holy Mother of the Moutains. There are also
folk games and performances of chèo, xẩm, singing and trù singing.