Springtime excursion through heritage sites.

In spring, visiting the heritage region of Thanh Hoa, locals and tourists alike will be immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of spring festivals. They seek to unwind, relax, and appreciate the wonderful aspects of the most beautiful season of the year.

Locals and tourists visit and admire the scenery at Na Son Cave (Nhu Thanh).

Embracing the vibrant energy of nature, flowers, and the joyful spirit of spring; yearning for a peaceful, fulfilling, and happy life, many people choose spring excursions to connect with their roots and nature. Famous destinations for these spring trips include Am Tien, Cua Dat, Phu Na, and Sam Son. For as long as anyone can remember, these places have become pilgrimage and sightseeing destinations for people from all over during the Lunar New Year and spring season.

Speaking of Na Son Cave and Temple (Nhu Thanh), this is a famous cultural and spiritual tourist destination in Thanh Hoa province. It is a historical and cultural site and scenic spot located at the foot of the Nua mountain range, associated with the worship of the Holy Mother of the Mountains and the Holy Saint Tan Vien. This was also the place where Lady Trieu led her rebellion to repel foreign invaders. Through years of historical development and the community's growth, Na Son Cave and Temple has become a major religious center dedicated to the worship of the Mother Goddess and historical figures such as Lady Trieu and Lord Trieu Quoc Dat. Temple Na is not only famous for its sacredness but also attracts visitors with its magical and mysterious natural beauty. Therefore, Na Son Cave and Temple is always a popular destination for tourists to visit and admire the scenery, especially during the Lunar New Year.

During the spring excursions to the mountains and the sea at the beginning of the year, Doc Cuoc Temple is an unmissable spiritual destination. Located on the summit of Co Giai mountain in the Truong Le mountain range (Sam Son City), Doc Cuoc Temple is dedicated to the god Doc Cuoc – who repelled sea demons and fought invaders to protect the village – as well as other Saints and Holy Mothers. Doc Cuoc Temple boasts an ancient, moss-covered appearance in the architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty. It is associated with many festivals and grand ceremonies to commemorate and express gratitude for the merits of the god Doc Cuoc and ancestors, praying for national peace and prosperity, abundant harvests, successful fishing seasons, and tourism development.

Returning to the heritage region at the beginning of spring, besides exploring the mountains and the sea, locals and tourists can also discover and experience the harmonious and unique beauty of many famous landmarks and scenic spots such as: Tien Son Cave, Dong Son Ancient Village, Hoi An Cultural Park (Thanh Hoa City); Song Temple (Bim Son Town); Co Bo Temple, Tran Hung Dao Temple (Ha Trung); Ho Dynasty Citadel (Vinh Loc); Cam Luong Sacred Fish Stream (Cam Thuy)... It is not an exaggeration to say that Thanh Hoa is blessed by nature with many unique and magnificent beauties, becoming a heritage region, because each area, each destination, each historical site in Thanh Hoa has its own distinct characteristics, rarely overlapping yet very familiar and close. This has created richness and diversity within the unity and harmony of Thanh Hoa's culture.

As a region with unique and captivating heritage, Thanh Hoa province, in addition to its famous historical sites, scenic spots, and destinations, is also distinguished by a series of festivals. These range from festivals associated with famous historical sites and influential figures to festivals characteristic of specific regions and ethnic groups, linked to agricultural and fishing rituals and daily life. Festivals span the mountainous and midland areas, reaching the plains and coastal regions, taking place throughout the year, but primarily in the spring. Examples include: the Cau Ngu Festival, the Muong Xia Festival, the Poon Pong Festival, the Muong Kho Festival, the Tran Temple Festival, the Xuan Pha Festival, and the Ba Trieu Festival.

The Spring of the Year of the Dragon in Thanh Hoa province seems even more joyful and proud. This spring, the people of Thanh Hoa not only immerse themselves in the atmosphere of festivals but also have the honor of receiving seven more national intangible cultural heritages, including the Nang Han Festival (Van Xuan commune, Thuong Xuan district); the Muong Kho Festival (Dien Trung commune, Ba Thuoc district), and the Set Booc May Festival (Can Khe commune, Nhu Thanh district), all held at the beginning of spring.

On the 5th day of the first lunar month, the Thai ethnic people of Van Xuan commune (Thuong Xuan district) enthusiastically celebrated the Nang Han festival with great pride and responsibility, as the festival was honored to be included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Nang Han festival is a traditional festival of the Thai people of Thuong Xuan, held at the beginning of spring. It is an occasion for the Thai people to express their gratitude to Nang Han – a brave and resourceful Thai woman who stood up to protect her homeland and the people of Trinh Van district. The festival, with its traditional rituals practiced, preserved, and passed down from generation to generation, truly reflects the worldview, daily life, customs, and traditions of the Thai people of Van Xuan. The festival has long become an indispensable part of the people's lives at the beginning of spring. It expresses the aspiration for peace, the wish for a bountiful harvest, prosperity for all families, a peaceful and joyful village, and a chance for social interaction after days of hard work for the Thai people of Chieng Ban. Moreover, the Nang Han festival is also a stage for performing arts and folk games. Through this, these cultural values ​​continue to live on in the consciousness and lives of the Thai community and the people of Thanh Hoa province.

Not only the Nang Han Festival, but every festival is a "mirror" reflecting the cultural, religious, and spiritual life of a community; it is a celebration where people come together to connect with their historical roots, sharing aspirations for peace, prosperity, happiness, and fulfillment. Because of these things, spring festivals have become an indispensable part of the cultural, spiritual, and religious life of the people of Thanh Hoa province, as well as the Vietnamese people. It has become a "meeting point" at the beginning of spring for each person to slow down, reflect on the precious values ​​of life, learn to unite, love, and share, and live more responsibly, contributing to the development of their homeland and country.

Text and photos: Thùy Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/du-xuan-qua-mien-di-san/207332.htm