Hà Nội Mới•26/04/2026The tradition of worshipping Saint Tan spread widely from Ba Vi and Soc Son to Son Tay, becoming an indispensable part of spiritual life and contributing to the unique cultural identity of the Doai region ( Hanoi ).
Authentic characteristics of the Đoài region
Originating from the Ba Vì mountain region (formerly Sơn Tây town), now part of Hanoi, the worship of Tản Viên Sơn Thánh – the leading saint among the "Four Immortals" – reflects the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," the spirit of unity, and the age-old aspiration of the Vietnamese people to conquer nature. The worship of Tản Viên Sơn Thánh is part of the unique Vietnamese system of Hung King worship.
Legend has it that Son Tinh (Tan Vien Son Thanh) had two cousins, Sung Cong and Hien Cong. The three brothers were orphaned at a young age and earned their living by gathering firewood in the forest. After receiving a sacred staff and magic spells from an immortal, Son Tinh and his two cousins helped many people and eradicated wild beasts, earning them the respect of the people as divine masters.
Later, Son Tinh received a prophecy from an immortal, which enabled him to defeat Thuy Tinh and marry Princess My Nuong. After defeating the Shu army, King Hung bestowed upon Son Tinh the title of High-Ranking God of the Music Palace; Hien Cong the title of Great King of Cao Son; and Sung Cong the title of Great King of Quy Minh.
Due to his immense contributions to the people and the nation, Tan Vien Son Thanh was revered as the ancestor of all gods, one of the "Four Immortals" of Vietnamese deities. In remembrance of his merits, people in many localities have erected temples in his honor. Currently, there are 176 relics dedicated to Tan Vien Son Thanh in Hanoi. Of these, the former Ba Vi district alone has 100 relics, many of which are classified as special national relics, national relics, and city-level relics.
Among the rich and diverse system of historical sites, the oldest and most representative sites dedicated to the worship of Tan Vien Son Thanh include: the complex of Upper, Middle, and Lower temples (located in Ba Vi and Minh Quang communes); Va Temple (Son Tay ward); Tay Dang communal house (Quang Oai commune); Thuy Phieu communal house (Thuan My commune); Khe Thuong communal house (Bat Bat commune); Tuong Phieu communal house (Phuc Tho commune)... This confirms that the custom of worshipping Tan Vien Son Thanh has special significance in the spiritual life of the people of the Doai region.
Given its immense cultural heritage value, on January 30, 2018, the custom of worshipping Tan Vien Son Thanh was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage according to Decision No. 266/QD-BVHTTDL.
Promoting the value of heritage in contemporary life.
Along with the system of ancient relics associated with the worship of Tan Vien Son Thanh, folk festivals about Saint Tan Vien are also a part of the religious practice maintained by the people through many generations, becoming a unique cultural feature.
Every year, the Tan Vien Son Thanh Festival takes place around the 15th day of the first lunar month; the commemoration of the passing of Saint Tan Vien is held on the 6th day of the eleventh lunar month. Besides the usual offerings such as chicken, pork, sticky rice, wine, incense, and flowers, each shrine dedicated to Tan Vien Son Thanh has its own unique offerings during the major festivals. All offerings to the Saint evoke the hunting and gathering era and express the people's gratitude to Tan Vien Son Thanh.
Along with the meticulously performed ceremonial part, in accordance with thousand-year-old traditions, most notably the water procession, the festival also features many traditional performances recreating the life of the hardworking and creative people in the Hung King era, such as: lion dance, dragon dance, swing games, wrestling, cockfighting, crossbow shooting, stick pushing... These activities all recall the achievements of Tan Vien Son Thanh in teaching the people farming and training soldiers.
Cultural researchers assess that the custom of worshipping Tan Vien Son Thanh contains many historical, cultural, and social values. Historically, this custom not only commemorates the leading saint among the "Four Immortals" of the Vietnamese people but also expresses the aspiration to conquer nature, fight against natural disasters and floods to protect crops and the lives of the people.
According to the People's Committee of Ba Vi commune, the custom of worshipping Tan Vien Son Thanh also contributes to affirming the existence of the Hung King era - the first state in the consciousness of the Vietnamese people. In addition, this custom signifies a return to one's roots and embodies the traditional educational value of "drinking water, remembering the source."
According to Nguyen Giap Dong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Vi commune, preserving and promoting the value of heritage in the area is one of the local government's key tasks. Annual festivals commemorating Saint Tan are organized systematically, focusing on preserving national cultural identity through activities such as gong performances and folk games like archery and stick pushing. At the same time, Ba Vi commune is also promoting awareness, decorating the area, and building check-in points to promote the image of the festival.
"The locality has also intensified many community-building activities in heritage protection and raised public awareness of heritage values and conservation measures," Mr. Nguyen Giap Dong shared.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/doc-dao-tuc-tho-tan-vien-son-thanh-747229.html
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