In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, the artistic program welcoming the festival began with performances praising the homeland, the country, the national cultural traditions, and the image of Princess Huyen Tran - a Vietnamese woman who exemplifies self-sacrifice, patriotism, and a spirit of service to the nation.
In particular, the excerpt from the Cai Luong play "Nun Huong Trang" (the monastic name of Princess Huyen Tran) movingly recreated her image, contributing to highlighting the historical, cultural, and humanistic values of the festival.
Dr. Bui Huu Duoc, former Director of the Buddhist Affairs Department, Government Religious Affairs Committee, emphasized that the 8th day of the 4th lunar month each year is not only an occasion to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday for Buddhists worldwide , but also a special day for Vietnamese people. It is a time when the people commemorate the 686th anniversary of the death of Princess Huyen Tran. According to him, her sacrifice and contributions have been recognized by history and she is revered by the people as a divine mother.
At Ho Son Pagoda, the 9th day of the 4th lunar month is chosen as the anniversary of her death. A large number of people, relatives, and visitors from all over come to offer incense and pay their respects during the annual festival.
According to historical records, Princess Huyền Trân (1287-1340) was the daughter of Emperor Trần Nhân Tông and Empress Khâm Từ Bảo Thánh, and the younger sister of Emperor Trần Anh Tông. In 1306, at the age of 19, for the benefit of the nation, she obeyed her father's command to marry the Champa king Chế Mân.
A year later, King Chế Mân passed away, and Princess Huyền Trân returned to Đại Việt, becoming a nun and receiving the Bodhisattva precepts from Zen Master Bảo Phác at Trâu Sơn Mountain (present-day Bắc Ninh province ) with the Dharma name Hương Tràng. Afterward, she practiced asceticism at Hổ Sơn Pagoda in Liên Minh commune (Ninh Bình province) until the end of her life.
For centuries, the worship of Princess Huyền Trân has been maintained by people in many places. Attending the opening ceremony of Hổ Sơn Pagoda, Professor of History Lê Văn Lan stated: “Hổ Sơn Pagoda is first and foremost a scenic spot of the locality. The pagoda has a beautiful location and architecture in the fertile plain. And especially, this is where Princess Huyền Trân, after returning from Champa, established a Buddhist shrine and attained enlightenment. 700 years have passed, and this princess of the Trần dynasty is recorded in history and revered by posterity for her contribution in bringing back the two provinces of Ô and Lý. But her mission was much greater; not only was she a bridge for diplomatic relations and harmony between Đại Việt and Champa, but she also became a Buddhist nun, practicing the ten virtues, helping the people, teaching trades, building pagodas, and spreading the spirit and values of Buddhism.”
Following the drum-beating ceremony to open the festival is the lantern festival, or the lamp-passing ceremony, which carries the spiritual meaning of "passing on the lamp and torch," spreading the Dharma and the light of wisdom to Buddhists and to all corners of the world.
Attending the festival and joyfully participating in the incense offering ceremony, Buddhist follower Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga (Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi ) shared: “Each lantern lit and released onto the water at this ancient temple is a heartfelt offering to remember and express gratitude for the bodhisattva-like heart and immense contributions of Princess Huyen Tran. The shimmering light of the lanterns serves as a reminder for future generations to always remember and cherish the sacrifices of our ancestors so that we can have a peaceful life and the integrity of our nation. Princess Huyen Tran's life was intertwined with the aspiration for harmony among nations. Therefore, the lantern-releasing ceremony at her shrine carries a heartfelt prayer for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, a peaceful country, and a prosperous people.”
Following the opening ceremony, the festival continued with rich cultural and spiritual activities taking place on May 25th, such as the incense offering ceremony and traditional procession from the Temple of Princess Huyen Tran and the two village communal houses of Ho Thuong and Ho Ha; traditional performances such as dragon dance, lion dance, and dragon dance; processions of palanquins, various flags, flower palanquins carrying the Buddha's birth statue, processions of ancestral tablets, palanquins carrying the two deities, and ceremonial processions…
At the 2026 Tiger Mountain Pagoda Festival, people and visitors from all over will not only have the opportunity to sincerely pray to Buddha for health and peace, and learn more about the life of Princess Huyen Tran - the daughter of Dai Viet who dedicated her youth to bringing peace, prosperity, and expanding the country's territory - but also to explore and admire the sacred and tranquil atmosphere of the pagoda at the foot of Tiger Mountain.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-chua-ho-son-2026-post964396.html
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