Opening Ceremony of the Dong Co Temple Festival 2024

On the morning of April 23rd, at the Dong Co Mountain and Temple National Monument Area in Dan Ne village, Yen Tho commune (Yen Dinh district), the People's Committee of Yen Tho commune inaugurated the 2024 Dong Co Temple Festival.

Delegates attending the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration; the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of Yen Dinh district, along with a large number of local people and tourists.

Delegates and a large number of people offered incense.

The ritual of announcing the announcement.

Video : Some images from the festival.

The festival is held to commemorate the merits of the Bronze Drum God from the time of the Hung Kings. Legend says that when King Hung led his army to suppress the invaders from the South, the army advanced along the mountain path to the foot of Kha Lao Mountain and rested there. That night, the king dreamt of the mountain god, who asked for help with bronze drums and bronze drumsticks to defeat the invaders. When the battle began, the resounding sound of drums and swords terrified the enemy, causing them to flee. After the victorious army returned, King Hung offered thanks at the temple and bestowed the title of "Great King of Bronze Drums" upon the mountain god Kha Lao. He then erected a temple, cast bronze drums and bronze horses, and brought them to the temple for worship.

In 2001, Dong Co Temple was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument.

The festival is also organized to implement conservation efforts for the Dong Co Temple Festival, providing a basis for compiling a scientific dossier to propose its inclusion as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Trinh Xuan Thuy, Secretary of the Yen Dinh District Party Committee, beat the drum to officially open the festival.

Representatives of the clans offer gifts to the Ancient Child Deity.

The festival takes place over three days, April 21st, 22nd, and 23rd (corresponding to the 13th to 15th day of the third lunar month), and includes both ceremonial and festive parts. The ceremonial part includes rituals such as: the announcement ceremony, the procession of the palanquin from Dong Co Temple to Phuc Temple and back; the ceremony to ask for the spiritual energy of the Dong Co deity, the incense offering ceremony, etc.

The cultural performances were presented by the local people.

During the festival, delegates and a large number of local people and tourists enjoyed a spectacular artistic program meticulously prepared by the local community.

In addition, there will be games, folk performances, sports competitions, and displays of OCOP products and characteristic products of Yen Dinh district.

Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-den-dong-co-nam-2024-212396.htm