The unique Sai Temple Festival at the beginning of Spring

On the morning of February 27th, Thu Lam commune (Hanoi) inaugurated the Sai Temple Festival for the year of the Horse 2026, received the Decision to inscribe the Sai Temple Festival into the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and inaugurated the renovated Thuy Loi communal house.

Báo Pháp Luật Việt Nam•28/02/2026

According to ancient legend, when King An Duong Vuong ascended the throne and established his capital in Co Loa, he named the country Au Lac. To govern the country and ensure the people's peace, the king ordered the construction of ramparts and fortifications. However, the ramparts would collapse after being built, and the fortifications would be filled again after being dug. The king then erected an altar to pray to heaven and earth, and the Thanh Giang messenger (the golden turtle) appeared, revealing that a white rooster spirit was hiding on That Dieu Son mountain (now Sai mountain) and disrupting the king's construction. The king and his entourage, including high-ranking officials, went to That Dieu Son mountain to perform the ritual. After some time, the ramparts were completed, contributing to the solid foundation of the Au Lac kingdom during that period.

Every year, in the spring, the king and his officials would personally come here to pay their respects. Later, seeing that the travel was costly and time-consuming for the people, the king granted the villagers of Thuy Loi - Thuy Lam commune the right to perform the royal procession, using their titles and paying their respects to him. From then on, the procession of the king gradually formed and became a unique cultural activity and festival of the Northern Delta region.

During the "royal procession" festival, all the actions and events are intended to reenact ancient stories, such as the king and his entourage paying homage to the sacred deity Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ. When the royal palanquin arrives at the Upper Temple, the king dismounts to perform a sword-testing ceremony, striking three blows on an old stone, causing red ink to spill out. Legend says this is the act of beheading a white rooster (the white rooster spirit). After the worship ceremony, the king and his officials return to the communal hall to perform other rituals.

This year, the ceremonial part was held solemnly with traditional rituals of offering incense, performing sacrifices, carrying palanquins, and reading eulogies praising the merits of our ancestors. Meanwhile, the festive part was lively with folk games and traditional cultural performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere while still maintaining the inherent solemnity.

Many first-time visitors shared that they were truly impressed by the solemn atmosphere of the "mock king procession" ceremony. The sound of drums and gongs echoing through the mountains made the space seem to slow down, evoking a sense of reverence and sacredness. Witnessing the solemn reenactment of the ritual of beheading the white rooster spirit, many clearly felt the interplay between legend and life, between history and spirituality. Mr. Hong Truong (Cau Giay, Hanoi ) emotionally said: "I had heard many stories about the mock king procession festival, but only when I witnessed it firsthand did I fully appreciate the meticulousness and reverence of the people here. Each ritual carries cultural depth, not only reenacting ancient tales but also a way for the people to preserve historical memories."

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The "procession of the mock king" festival is associated with a legend.
King An Duong Vuong built Co Loa Citadel. (Photo: VNA)

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue (Thu Lam, Hanoi) proudly shared: “Although I didn't directly participate in the procession or the ceremonial rituals, every year when I come to the Sai Temple festival, I always feel a very special emotion in my heart. Since I was little, I followed my parents to the temple to offer incense at the beginning of spring, watching the procession of the king pass by amidst the lively sounds of drums and gongs. As I grew older, I understood even more about the legend of An Duong Vuong and the significance of the festival to my hometown.”

This year, the festival has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and I am truly proud. It's not just a recognition of a traditional ritual, but also an affirmation of the cultural value of an entire community that has preserved this heritage through generations. As a young person, I believe my responsibility isn't necessarily to stand in the procession, but to spread the beautiful stories of the festival, introducing friends near and far to the Sai Temple and Thuy Loi village. I believe that when the younger generation learns to appreciate and be proud of their homeland's traditions, these values will be preserved for a long time.”

Young people attending the festival expressed their delight at the lively festivities and traditional games. Many young people believe that the festival is not only an opportunity to celebrate the spring season but also "a vibrant history class," helping the younger generation better understand the legends of nation-building, national defense, and the spirit of community cohesion of their ancestors.

Concluding a vibrant spring festival season, the Sai Temple Festival not only leaves behind the echoes of drums and gongs resounding through the mountains, but also instills in the hearts of participants a profound sense of pride in their national heritage. The festival's inclusion in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a well-deserved recognition of the persistent efforts of generations of people in Thuy Loi to preserve it.

Amidst the increasingly hectic pace of modern life, ancient rituals remain intact, demonstrating the enduring vitality of cultural heritage nurtured by reverence and a sense of community responsibility. The festival not only recreates an ancient legend associated with the nation-building process but also contributes to fostering unity and solidarity among generations within the village and community.

In particular, the participation and interest of today's youth is a promising sign for the future of the Festival. When young people understand, love, and are proud of their homeland's traditions, the heritage will not only remain in memory but will continue to be spread through many creative ways that are appropriate for the times.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/doc-dao-le-hoi-den-sai-dip-dau-xuan.html