Foreign tourists join in the atmosphere of Lady Phi Yen's death anniversary ceremony

(NLDO)- Many foreign tourists joined the crowd to participate in the first activities of the festival, creating a vibrant and cohesive atmosphere in Con Dao Special Zone.

On the morning of December 5 (October 16th of the lunar calendar), at An Son Temple, Con Dao Special Zone (HCMC), the 240th Phi Yen Traditional Festival opened in a solemn atmosphere but bustling with the nuances of the island festival. Attending the ceremony were leaders of the special zone and many local and international people and tourists.

Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022, the traditional festival of Lady Phi Yen's death anniversary not only honors the cultural and spiritual values ​​of Con Dao but also contributes to promoting the image of a historical land, rich in identity, friendly and hospitable to friends at home and abroad.

Opening of the Traditional Festival of the 240th Anniversary of Lady Phi Yen's Death in 2025

From early morning, the An Son Temple area and the surrounding streets became bustling. Local people and tourists eagerly attended the ceremony, offering incense to commemorate Lady Phi Yen - a legendary woman associated with loyalty, sacrifice and patriotism, who has become a special cultural and spiritual symbol of Con Dao.

After the opening ceremony, 240 locals and tourists participated in a collective tug-of-war competition, a symbolic activity for the 240th anniversary. This was also the "opening" event for a series of cultural, artistic and sporting activities imbued with local colors.

Con Dao Special Zone leaders give gifts to poor families in Con Dao

At the festival area, international tourists and locals joined in the bustling atmosphere. Many foreign tourists excitedly held the rope tightly, pulling with all their might with their teams amid cheers. Regardless of language or nationality, everyone seemed to join in the joy of the oldest traditional festival in Con Dao.

"It was a great opportunity to meet and connect with local people. We were so happy to be invited," said Belgian tourist Damian.

Standing next to him, Stefan, a tourist from Germany, was still excited after the group tug-of-war. He shared that he had never participated in such a crowded traditional activity: "It was great that I was not just watching but also became a part of the festival. Everyone was so friendly and the atmosphere was so energetic. I was very impressed" - Stefan confided.

Many foreign tourists joined the tug of war activity at the festival.

This year’s festival takes place from December 5 to 7 with many exciting activities such as: folk games, cake making contest, flower arrangement contest, art performances and community exchange programs. The ceremony is the highlight with traditional rituals; the main rituals take place at 10am on December 7 at An Son Temple.

The Phi Yen Memorial Festival is one of the biggest traditional cultural festivals in Con Dao, taking place every year, originating from the legend of Phi Yen, whose real name is Le Thi Ram, the wife of the Nguyen Dynasty king, who once advised the king not to seek foreign aid. She died in 1783 and the temple was built by the ancient An Hai villagers to worship the talented and beautiful woman, full of loyalty and patriotism, who dared to overcome the constraints of etiquette to prevent her husband from selling the country for glory.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/du-khach-nuoc-ngoai-hoa-trong-khong-khi-le-gio-ba-phi-yen-196251205153452204.htm