A touch of festival atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Amidst the modern life of Dong Da ward, the traditional Thinh Quang communal house festival is preserved as an enduring cultural source. More than just a religious activity at the beginning of spring, the festival also recalls the value of a communal house once associated with the historic Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory, thereby fostering pride in the cultural and heroic traditions of Thang Long land.

The communal house preserves the historical memories of a region.

In Vietnamese cultural life, the village communal house is not only a place of worship for the tutelary deity, but also a center for gathering community memories, connecting traditions, customs, and the moral principle of remembering one's roots.

Ward leaders inaugurate the Thinh Quang Temple Festival 2026. Photo: Hoa Thanh

For the people of Thinh Quang in the past, Thinh Quang communal house was such a space – a place that preserved the historical depth of a land that had witnessed many ups and downs of Thang Long - Hanoi .

According to historical records and the opening speech of the 2026 festival, Thinh Quang communal house worships the Holy Mother Ngoc Thuy Tinh Princess - a deity revered and worshipped by the people for generations. Beyond its religious significance, the communal house is also associated with important historical milestones.

Ancient features are preserved in Thinh Quang Temple. Photo: Hoa Thanh

According to the stele at Phuc Khanh Pagoda, in the spring of the year Ky Dau (1789), when the Tay Son army marched to Bac Thanh to drive out the invading Qing army, Thinh Quang communal house and pagoda served as a resting place and assembly point for the western wing of the army before going into battle.

A pavilion roof in the city. Photo: Hoa Thanh

This detail shows that Thinh Quang communal house was not only a place of worship for the local community, but also contributed to the glorious Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory of the nation.

Mr. Tran Hoai Nam reviews the historical traditions of the Thinh Quang communal house. Photo: Hoa Thanh

Throughout history, due to wars, upheavals, and urbanization, Thinh Quang communal house has suffered damage and deterioration many times, but has been repaired and restored by the people through their contributions. Since 1989, the monument has continued to be restored and renovated to meet the religious needs of the people.

People line up to enter the temple for the festival. Photo: Hoa Thanh

In 2009, Thinh Quang communal house was recognized and ranked by the State as a historical and cultural relic, affirming the special value of the relic within the complex of destinations associated with the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory such as Phuc Khanh pagoda, Dong Da hill, Boc pagoda, Dong Quang pagoda, and Khuong Thuong communal house.

Leaders of Dong Da ward perform the incense offering ritual during the Thinh Quang Temple Festival. Photo: Hoa Thanh.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Hung, Head of the Temple Management Board, said: "I was born and raised in Thinh Quang village and witnessed the transformation of this land. In the heart of today's city, Thinh Quang Temple is not only a religious architectural work, but also a historical landmark, a place that preserves the memories of the local community about a land rich in patriotic traditions and cultural heritage."

Spring festivals and the enduring vitality of traditional culture.

If the communal house is the repository of the village's soul, then the festival is the time when those values ​​are awakened, spread, and passed down through generations. Every spring, on the 20th and 21st of the second lunar month, the traditional Thinh Quang communal house festival is held amidst the joy and reverence of the people and visitors from all over.

The ritual of offering incense to the Holy Mother Ngoc Thuy Tinh Princess. Video : Hoa Thanh

The highlight of the festival is, first and foremost, the solemn and respectful ceremonial part. From the opening drumbeat, the opening speech, the introduction of the historical and artistic relic of Thinh Quang communal house, to the ritual of offering incense to the Holy Mother Ngoc Thuy Tinh Princess, and offering incense at the memorial stele for the heroic martyrs, all create an atmosphere that is both sacred and deeply imbued with tradition.

Musical culture is an indispensable part of the Thinh Quang Temple Festival. Photo: Hoa Thanh

In particular, the program also includes performances of traditional arts and artistic programs by the Hanoi Cheo Theatre, contributing to enriching the cultural and spiritual life of the local people.

The people of Thinh Quang village eagerly attend the festival. Photo: Hoa Thanh

The significance of the festival lies not only in the rituals commemorating the merits of our ancestors, but also in its role in connecting the community. Organizing the festival with various ceremonial rituals and artistic performances provides an opportunity for the people and tourists to participate in traditional cultural activities, contributing to the preservation and promotion of national identity, while strengthening the spirit of unity and national pride, and working together to build Dong Da ward and Hanoi into an increasingly civilized, cultured, and modern capital city.

The beauty of Hanoi's streets during the Thinh Quang Temple Festival in 2026. Photo: Hoa Thanh

In the context of rapid urbanization, the value of traditional festivals like the Thinh Quang communal house festival becomes even more apparent. It is not only a folk cultural activity maintained according to village customs, but also a way for the community to preserve its cultural identity amidst modern life.

The people of Dong Da ward are still excited every time the Temple Festival comes around. Photo: Hoa Thanh

The significance of the Thinh Quang Temple Festival extends beyond the scope of a single historical site or festival season. Its greater value lies in the fact that, amidst the bustling city, the festival helps people better understand the historical depth of the place they live in.

A communal house that once contributed to the victory at Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da, now classified as a historical and cultural relic, continues to serve as a spiritual anchor for the community, preserving memories and fostering local identity.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dau-an-le-hoi-giua-long-pho-thi-743783.html