Located in a prime position "backed by mountains, facing the water" on Dragon Head Mountain, overlooking the vast expanse of the Da River reservoir, Hang Mieng Temple has long been a spiritual anchor for the people on both banks of the river.
According to legend and historical records, in late spring of 1431, after defeating the rebels of Deo Cat Han in Lai Chau , King Le Loi and his army sailed down the Da River back to the capital, Dong Kinh. Upon reaching the Hang Mieng area, heavy rain and rising floodwaters forced the army to halt, and their supplies dwindled. Hearing this news, Mrs. Dinh Thi Van, a Muong ethnic woman from the area, mobilized the people to donate food and repeatedly rowed boats across the rapids to supply the king and his soldiers. On her final journey, due to a severe storm, her boat sank in the Hang Mieng section of the river, and she perished. To commemorate her contributions, at the end of 1431, the local people erected a temple there, known as the Hang Mieng Temple.
Having endured nearly 600 years of historical ups and downs, the Dragon Head Cliff still stands tall, and the small temple of yesteryear has been renovated and beautified with contributions from the people and visitors from all over. In 2016, Hang Mieng Temple was recognized by the People's Committee of Son La province as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic.
2026 marks the first time the Hang Mieng Temple Festival will be organized on a commune-wide scale by the People's Committee of Song Khua Commune following the administrative unit merger. The event is a celebration to honor ancestors, an opportunity for the people to share cultural traditions, and to foster strong unity.
Mr. Do Nhu Kien, Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Khua commune, said: "This year's Hang Mieng Temple Festival has a very special meaning, as a testament to the unity of the people after the administrative unit merger. We hope that the event will be a place for religious activities and traditional education on 'drinking water, remembering the source' for the younger generation, and a catalyst to awaken the tourism potential of the locality. In the future, the commune hopes to connect Hang Mieng Temple with other tourist destinations on the Da River reservoir, creating an attractive ecological and spiritual tourism route, thereby creating more livelihoods and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people."
To fulfill the wishes of the people and visitors, this year's festival was meticulously and solemnly prepared by the Song Khua commune authorities, with a vibrant and colorful celebration. From early morning, the ceremonies were held in a sacred and respectful atmosphere; the sounds of gongs and drums echoed throughout the river region. The rituals—offering incense, carrying the palanquin, sacrificial rites, performances, and thanksgiving—were performed systematically, preserving the ancient traditions. In particular, the ritual of offering prayers and performing the spirit medium ceremony at the Great Hall attracted the attention of many people. The smooth melodies of the prayers, harmonizing with the graceful rhythms, seemed to connect the physical and spiritual realms, expressing the boundless gratitude of future generations to the Lord of Hang Mieng and their ancestors.
Mr. Quach Cong Toan, the caretaker of Hang Mieng Temple, shared: "This year, the scale of the festival is much larger than in previous years. Everyone is excited and wholeheartedly devoted to their roots. We have made every effort to prepare the rituals in a solemn manner, in accordance with traditional customs. Through each festival, the greatest wish of those of us who maintain the temple is for the deities to witness our sincerity, bless the nation with peace and prosperity, favorable weather, abundant harvests, and for the people to always be united and well-off."
Following the solemn ceremony, the atmosphere became lively with cheers and applause during the festival, featuring traditional cultural, artistic, and sporting activities. Young men and women in vibrant Thai, Muong, and Dao ethnic costumes competed in traditional sports such as tug-of-war, throwing the ball, and stick pushing. Alongside these were competitions in wrapping banh chung (traditional rice cakes) and cooking traditional meals, creating a vibrant and culturally rich atmosphere for this year's festival.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "This is my first time attending the Hang Mieng Temple Festival. The scenery is picturesque, the festival atmosphere is incredibly lively, and the local people are extremely friendly and hospitable. I was particularly impressed with the traditional meals and folk games. I will definitely recommend this beautiful place to my friends and family in the coming years."
The Hang Mieng Temple Festival 2026 concluded in joy, leaving behind a positive impression of a day of great unity, a celebration of cultural heritage. With the attention of the local Party committee and government, the consensus of the people, along with its inherent majestic natural beauty and sacred historical story, Hang Mieng Temple promises to become a highlight on the spiritual and cultural tourism journey in Son La, opening up new development opportunities for the friendly and hospitable Song Khua region.
Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/dau-an-le-hoi-den-hang-mieng-9xczJtKvg.html
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