Thousands of people attend the biggest Nghinh Than festival in Dong Nai

On February 19 (January 10), the Board of Directors of That Phu Co Mieu (Ong Pagoda) held the Nghinh Than ceremony. This is the 9th Ong Pagoda festival in 2024.

This year's God Welcoming Festival will have two tours: by water and by land.

In particular, by waterway - ferries will depart from Ong Pagoda (Hiep Hoa ward) along Dong Nai river to Hoa An bridge, then will dock at Phung Son Tu (Quyet Thang ward, Bien Hoa).

The procession of the gods traveling on the river is decorated with splendid flags and new costumes.

There are also lion and dragon performances with unique acrobatics, creating a bustling festival atmosphere on the river.

Waterway police also participated in regulating and ensuring traffic safety during the delegation's tour on the Dong Nai River.

The ship carrying foreign tourists to attend the Ong Pagoda festival also followed the tour group on the Dong Nai River.

On the road, the parade formations gathered on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in front of Phung Son Tu.

Then the parade and performance went through many inner city streets of Bien Hoa in Quang Vinh, Trung Dung, Quyet Thang wards, then to Bien Hoa market and back to Ong Pagoda.

While traveling, the tour group performed many folk dances performed by Chinese guilds.

In addition, many participants dressed up as historical figures, creating a colorful and bustling street festival.

Along the streets, thousands of people jostled to watch, livestream, and record videos of this traditional festival.

Mr. Huynh Huu Nghia, Deputy Organizing Committee of Ong Pagoda Festival, said that the Nghinh Than ceremony is a form of bringing folk gods and heroes who opened up the island to visit the people on the occasion of the New Year before the opening of Ong Pagoda Festival.

Through that, I wish for a new year of national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and happiness for the people.

According to the Organizing Committee, the 9th Ong Pagoda Festival in 2024 will last from February 19 to February 22 (ie from January 10 to 13).

Maintaining the annual festival at Ong Pagoda aims to preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage of Ong Pagoda Festival. Meeting the spiritual and cultural needs of the Chinese-Vietnamese community and gradually forming cultural tourism products in the locality.

The 9th Ong Pagoda Festival in 2024 with activities marking the 340th anniversary of the establishment of That Phu Co Mieu Bien Hoa (Ong Pagoda).

Celebrating the intangible cultural heritage of Ong Pagoda Festival being included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/hang-ngan-nguoi-dan-tham-du-le-nghinh-than-lon-nhat-dong-nai-192240219102014831.htm