Unique cultural features of Ba Xuan Lai Temple

Located in the ancient village of Xuan Lai, Da Phuc commune – a land where the midland and lowland areas of the Red River Delta meet – the Xuan Lai Temple is a typical historical site, closely associated with the formation and development of Xuan Lai village, preserving the unique traditional values ​​of the local community.

The ritual of pulling the bamboo flute is performed at the Lady Temple.

According to legends and folklore, the temple of Lady Dong Nuong is a place of worship for Lady Che Thang Hoa Dieu, a sacred female deity who secretly assisted General Cao Son in his campaign to conquer Thuc during the Hung Dynasty. For her meritorious service in "protecting the nation and caring for the people," she received numerous imperial decrees from various feudal dynasties, demonstrating recognition and honor throughout history.

Beyond its historical and religious significance, the Ba Xuan Lai Temple also serves as a vibrant community cultural space. The annual Ba Temple festival is celebrated with great solemnity, with the ritual of pulling the temple's bell being a special highlight, recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2015.

The bamboo pulling ritual is not simply a religious ceremony, but also an opportunity for the community to express solidarity, gratitude to their ancestors, and to convey their aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous life. The tools used in the bamboo pulling ritual are two young bamboo poles, about 7-8 meters long, donated and carefully selected by families in the village according to sacred regulations.

The procession of the mine, the hanging of the mine, and the carrying of the mine are all solemnly organized according to traditional rituals. The outcome of the mine pulling is not just about winning or losing, but is also seen by the villagers as an omen of the weather and harvest for the coming year.

With its outstanding historical, architectural, and artistic values, Ba Xuan Lai Temple was classified as a city-level historical, architectural, and artistic relic by the Hanoi People's Committee in 2015.

To contribute to the preservation and promotion of the value of Ba Temple, the People's Committee of Da Phuc commune implemented a large-scale restoration and renovation project starting in June 2024. The project was completed on April 25, 2025, with a total investment of over 16.3 billion VND.

According to Do Thu Nga, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Da Phuc commune, this is a typical cultural project celebrating the success of the 14th National Congress of the Party, contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural heritage values, and improving the spiritual life of the local community. Ba Xuan Lai Temple is also an attractive destination in cultural tourism and green tourism programs, linked to the preservation and promotion of the historical and traditional values ​​of Da Phuc commune.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/doc-dao-net-van-hoa-den-ba-xuan-lai-732833.html