Thac Truc Temple in Lap Thach town, Lap Thach district, worships the two deities Quy Minh and Minh Son - two generals of Tan Vien Son Thanh who helped King Hung XVIII defeat the Thuc dynasty in the early days of nation-building. With its unique architectural and cultural values, Thac Truc Temple was recognized as a National Historical Monument in 1996.
The plowing festival at Dan Tri communal house in Hoang Dan commune (Tam Duong district) attracts a large number of locals and tourists from all over. Photo: Duong Chung
The Thac Truc communal temple festival is held on the 9th and 10th of January every year. After the ceremonial part with solemn and sacred rituals to commemorate the merits of the two deities, there is the festival to pray for offspring. At the festival, many families in the village make sticky rice cakes and sweet soup to offer to the gods.
According to the elders of the village, when the two generals of Tan Vien Son Thanh won a battle and held a feast to recruit soldiers in this land, they noticed that the people had few sons, so they issued a decree to pray for male offspring. Since then, the villagers have been prosperous and happy, with many families having both sons and daughters.
The "Cầu Đinh" festival includes two games: catching eels in a jar and climbing a bridge over a water basin. These two games symbolize the prayer for fertility and attract a large number of participants, mostly young couples. In addition, visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of other folk games such as swinging on a swing, catching ducks in the pond, playing chess, and cockfighting.
With its profound historical significance, reflecting the nation's principle of remembering one's roots and honoring traditional cultural values, the Thac Truc communal house festival is given special attention by Lap Thach district, being developed into one of the district's intangible cultural heritage highlights.
The Dan Tri communal house plowing festival in Hoang Dan commune (Tam Duong district) is a cultural and religious activity of the rice-farming community, commemorating the gratitude owed to the deity Quy Minh for teaching the people how to plow and sow.
Previously, the festival was held every five years, but from 2025 onwards, the Plowing Festival will be held annually on a district-wide scale. The highlight of the festival is the reenactment of the scene on the evening of the 6th day of the first lunar month, where Saint Quy Minh teaches the people how to plow before setting off to fight the enemy.
Mr. Vuong Van So, Secretary of the Party Branch of Cham village, Hoang Dan commune, said: “This year, the Plowing Festival is organized on a district-wide scale, making the people very excited and eager to participate; this shows the attention of all levels and sectors to restoring, preserving and upgrading the festival, contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural values and the pride of our homeland. The festival also contributes to building cultural life and strengthening community bonds.”
Dong Dao Temple, located in Dong Dao village, Dong Tam ward (Vinh Yen province), is an ancient temple built in 1572 during the reign of King Le Anh Tong. The temple is dedicated to Bach Hac Cao Quan Dai Vuong, a figure credited with helping the poor overcome illness and hardship.
People in Gẩu village, Đống Đa ward (Vĩnh Yên) welcome the royal decree honoring seven heroes of the Lỗ family. Photo: Dương Chung.
Having weathered the ups and downs of history, the communal house has been managed and restored by the people of Dong Dao village; it was recognized as a National Historical Monument in 1994. Every year, on the 13th day of the first lunar month, the People's Committee of Dong Tam ward organizes a festival to give the people an opportunity to recall the tradition of fighting to build and defend the nation, and to express gratitude for the contributions of the heroic martyrs. At the same time, they offer incense and pray for "national peace and prosperity."
The ceremonial part begins with a ritual offering, followed by a procession of President Ho Chi Minh's portrait, a procession of the Bang historical relic palanquin, and a procession into the communal house. The festival part includes many folk games such as cockfighting, tug-of-war, blindfolded goat catching, chess, etc., and cultural performances presented by the local people and tourists.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dien from Dong Tam ward said: “Every year my family participates in the festival. First, we light incense and offer prayers to the saints, hoping for happiness and a prosperous new year. Then, we participate in the festivities with many civilized and joyful activities such as cultural performances and traditional games.”
With its rich historical and cultural traditions, Vinh Phuc boasts over 1,000 historical sites and scenic spots, along with nearly 400 festivals held annually. Village feasts and festivals are considered the most captivating activities during the Lunar New Year. Each village festival has its own unique characteristics, enriching the spiritual life of the people.
Village festivals are often associated with the worship of the village's guardian deity, so during the rituals and recreational activities, the people become more spiritually connected.
After a year of hard work, the villagers gather together to pray for peace and well-being in their village, bountiful harvests, and economic prosperity.
Today, village festivals and celebrations are still organized by local communities with a focus on civility, safety, and healthiness, contributing to the preservation of the nation's traditional values.
Dieu Linh
Source: https://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/123519/Hoi-lang---Net-dep-van-hoa-dau-Xuan
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