Highlights of the commemoration ceremony for the high-ranking official Huynh Cong Thang

On the morning of May 22nd (corresponding to the 6th day of the 4th lunar month), the Management Board of the Temple of Grand Minister Huynh Cong Thang, in coordination with the People's Committee of Thanh Duc commune, Tay Ninh province, organized a memorial ceremony for Grand Minister Huynh Cong Thang. This year marks the 200th anniversary of his passing.

The ritual of carrying the seal and imperial decree from the tomb of Lord Huynh Cong Thang to the temple.

The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Thanh Duc commune, Pham Vu Anh Thi, along with the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, the People's Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, and a large number of people from within and outside the commune.

The ceremony of laying wreaths and saluting the flag at the war memorial and temple.

Village leaders offer incense to Quan Lon Huynh Cong Thang.

The commemoration ceremony for the late Grand Minister Huynh Cong Thang is a traditional spiritual and cultural festival of the people of Thanh Duc commune in particular, and the people of Tay Ninh in general, held annually to remember the contributions of the Grand Minister and his soldiers in the reclamation of land, settlement, and protection of the border region of Tay Ninh.

The festival consists of three main parts: The procession of the royal seal and decree from the tomb of the high-ranking official to the temple – this is the most solemn moment of the festival, with the participation of chief priests, government representatives, and a large number of local people. Next is the wreath-laying ceremony and flag-raising ceremony at the martyrs' monument of the temple. Finally, there is the ancestral worship ceremony. People offer gifts, incense, flowers, candles, and traditional food to commemorate the merits of the high-ranking official and his soldiers; praying for national peace and prosperity, and favorable weather.

The ceremony involves offering prayers of gratitude to ancestors, lighting lamps, flowers, and traditional food to commemorate the merits of the high-ranking official and his loyal soldiers.

According to records, Mandarin Huynh Cong Thang died on April 6, 1826, and was buried by the people in the land he had diligently developed and protected: Cam Thang hamlet, Cam Giang commune (formerly), now Thanh Duc commune, Tay Ninh province. Every year, the local people observe April 6 (Lunar Calendar) as a day to commemorate him.

According to Nguyen Van Hinh, Head of the Management Board of the Huynh Cong Thang Temple, in 1993, the Huynh Cong Thang Temple was recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic by the Provincial People's Committee. In 1995, he and the members of the temple's management board were assigned the task of caring for the relic, preserving the temple area, and organizing memorial ceremonies and offerings. To date, the memorial ceremony has been held 31 times. Every year, the ceremony is organized very solemnly by the local government and the temple's management board, attracting a large number of people from within and outside the province to pay their respects.

A large number of people attended the memorial service for Lord Huynh Cong Thang.

According to Le Do Kim Cuong, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Thanh Duc commune, the commune's People's Committee has been consistently carrying out the management and preservation of historical and cultural relics in the area. The commune pays special attention to establishing representative boards and management committees at these relics to ensure their solemnity and security – especially during national anniversaries, festivals, and major holidays.

In addition, the local authorities also pay attention to the work of promoting and educating the younger generation about the nation's historical and cultural traditions.

Linh San – Giang Nguyen Dong

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/dac-sac-le-gio-200-nam-quan-lon-dai-than-huynh-cong-thang-147324.html