Opening of Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple Festival in 2025

To commemorate the heroes who have made great contributions to the country and to arouse the pride of the nation's patriotic tradition, on the morning of April 30, at the Bai Tho Mountain National Historical Relic Complex, Ha Long City solemnly held the opening ceremony of the Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple Festival in 2025. The festival is part of a series of events within Ha Long Tourism Week 2025, aiming to contribute to preserving religious culture and promoting and stimulating local tourism.

Comrade Vu Quyet Tien, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, beat the drum to open the festival.

Attending the festival was Mr. Vu Quyet Tien, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. The festival had the participation of over 2,000 members, women, veterans, union members, youth, students, ceremonial teams... joining the procession of the Saint along with a large number of local people and tourists.

Duc Ong Hung Vu Vuong Tran Quoc Nghien was the eldest son of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. He was an outstanding general of the Tran Dynasty, with great contributions in the second and third wars against the Yuan-Mongol invaders of the nation, and was promoted by King Tran Nhan Tong as "Khai Quoc Cong".

Delegates offered incense to Monsignor Tran Quoc Nghien.

The temple of Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien was formed in the late 13th century, rebuilt in the year of Quy Suu 1913, restored for the first time in the year of Mau Dan 1938, and the second time in the year of Nham Ngo 2002. This is an ancient, sacred temple, located in the historical - cultural relic and scenic spot of Bai Tho mountain, which has a history of nearly a thousand years and was ranked as a national historical relic and scenic spot in 1992.

Over time, due to harsh historical and natural conditions, Duc Ong Temple has degraded and has been restored many times. From 2024 to present, Ha Long City is continuing to expand, restore and embellish Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple with the aim of building a spiritual and cultural space to meet the cultural and religious needs of people and tourists from all over the world. Thereby, not only contributing to the preservation of heritage but also spreading traditional values, attracting more and more socialized resources from organizations and individuals to join hands to contribute to the construction, restoration and promotion of the value of the relic. After completion, the project will harmoniously and comprehensively connect Duc Ong Temple with the relics in the Bai Tho Mountain National Historical Relic Complex, realizing the goal of building Ha Long into a city of flowers and festivals.

Perform the ceremony to invite the Monsignor and the Holy Mother to visit.

Previously, the Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple Festival was held on the 24th day of the third lunar month every year (the day he passed away). However, since 2008, following the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Ha Long City People's Committee has directed the restoration of the Duc Ong Temple Festival in conjunction with the activities of the Ha Long Tourism Week to improve the spiritual and cultural life of the people.

This year's festival takes place over two days, April 29 and 30. The ceremony follows traditional rituals with contents such as: Tran Dynasty worshiping session; festival opening ceremony; sacred water procession; white paper offering week; female mandarin offering week; other ceremonies; announcement ceremony at Long Tien pagoda; lamp sitting ceremony; Duc Ong procession; saint installation ceremony...

In addition, at the festival, local people and tourists can also participate in art performances and play folk games.

From very early on, the procession prepared their costumes carefully and neatly.

The festival aims to review the glorious historical traditions of the nation,educate patriotism and national pride for present and future generations. From there, it continuously raises awareness and responsibility in the work of protecting, preserving and promoting the value of relics in particular, cultivating the good cultural values ​​of the nation in general; at the same time, contributing to improving the cultural, spiritual, mental and religious life of the people.

Some special images at the Tran Quoc Nghien Temple Festival in 2025:

The procession of Duc Ong started from Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple.

The lion and dragon dance troupe led the procession.

Over 2,000 people joined the procession.

The offerings are carefully and thoughtfully prepared.

Procession teams with traditional dances add to the joyful atmosphere of the festival.

Local people sincerely held ceremonies at home and in the neighborhood to commemorate the merits, life and career of Monsignor Tran Quoc Nghien.

People eagerly climbed into the palanquin as the procession passed by, wishing for peace and luck.

Many people and tourists took pictures as the procession passed by.

The procession departs from Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien Temple, passes Le Thanh Tong Street, Clock Tower Roundabout, Bai Tho Bridge and then returns to the Temple.

The city arranges an area to serve free drinking water for people and tourists participating in the festival.

Nguyen Dung

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/khai-hoi-den-duc-ong-tran-quoc-nghien-nam-2025-3355888.html