In Thanh Hoa province, several festivals will soon take place at historical sites associated with the worship of the Mother Goddess, traditionally considered among the most sacred in Thanh Hoa, namely the Song Son Temple Festival in Bim Son town and the Han Son Temple Festival in Ha Trung district.
Festivals considered sacred often attract large crowds, inevitably leading to negative impacts on the landscape, environment, and security and order at the historical site. Cultural insecurity and threats to environmental safety during festival activities are pressing issues in many localities that have yet to be fully resolved.
The need to create a cultured and civilized environment during festivals not only contributes to building cultural life but also creates high-quality festival products that promote tourism development. Many authorities and management boards of historical sites and scenic spots have recognized this very well. During this year's spring festival, the authorities and the Management Board of Phu Na historical site (Nhu Thanh) quickly intervened to crack down on begging after receiving complaints from tourists.
Recent press reports indicate that in Da Nang City, the largest religious festival in 2024, the Quan The Am Festival at the Ngu Hanh Son National Special Monument, will feature a new requirement of "five no's," including: no theft, robbery, or social vices; no begging or disguised begging; no littering or violations of food safety and hygiene regulations; no soliciting customers, price gouging, or coercion; and no releasing animals into the wild or engaging in superstition.
The efforts of some localities to create beautiful landscapes and images for historical sites and festivals have received praise from tourists, providing impetus for local socio-economic development.
As life develops, religious life also demands a corresponding development, including a cleaner, healthier environment serving religious activities. Management boards of historical sites and local authorities should not view historical sites, scenic spots, and festivals as inexhaustible resources, focusing only on exploitation without paying sufficient attention to protection and the creation of values that enhance their attractiveness.
Historical sites and festivals, when combined with strict management, become even more sacred. In recent years, Thanh Hoa's culture, sports, and tourism sector has built a relatively healthy cultural and tourism environment. Efforts to address public concerns about festivals in the future will further attract tourists to Thanh Hoa, making its image even more prominent. The approaches taken in some recent festivals serve as suggestions for relevant agencies and localities to consider and implement appropriate measures.
Hanh Nhien
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