On the afternoon of February 23rd, a large number of tourists and locals flocked to Tran Temple in Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City, to perform rituals and offer incense before the seal-opening ceremony. Despite the drizzling rain, the pathways throughout the temple grounds were still bustling with worshippers.
The Tran Temple Seal Opening Festival in Nam Dinh during the Spring of the Year of the Dragon (Giap Thin) takes place from February 20th to 25th (corresponding to the 11th to 16th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Dragon), with the seal opening ceremony beginning at 11:15 PM on February 23rd (the 14th day of the first lunar month).
People flocked to the temple before the opening ceremony of the Tran Temple.
Speaking to a reporter from Giao Thong Newspaper about the preparations for the seal-opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh, Head of the Management Board of Tran Temple Relic Site (Nam Dinh), said that preparations for the ceremony have been completed.
Besides the seal-opening ceremony, the Tran Temple festival also features many traditional cultural activities such as the procession of the Jade Palanquin, the water procession, the fish offering ceremony, etc., attracting a large number of locals and tourists from all over.
From the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon until now, it is estimated that about 200,000 visitors have come to visit, worship, and sightsee.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh, Head of the Management Board of Tran Temple Relic Site (Nam Dinh).
Regarding the distribution of the seals, Mr. Binh stated that the Monument Management Board and the festival organizing committee have strictly enforced regulations to ensure that people do not independently stamp or receive seals.
"The seal-opening ceremony will be conducted by the temple's caretakers on the night of the 14th of January, after which the seals will be distributed to the people. The distribution of the seals will also be carried out by the local Veterans Association and the Senior Citizens Association according to assigned tasks. At this point, it can be confirmed that there will be no unauthorized seals at this year's Tran Temple seal-opening ceremony," Mr. Binh affirmed.
According to Mr. Binh, the organizing committee and the temple plan to release more than 300,000 copies to meet the needs of the people and visitors from all over.
According to Mr. Binh, through the implementation and refinement of organizational work over the years, the 2024 Tran Temple Seal Opening Festival will have many new features. The festival will include many traditional cultural activities that reflect the local cultural identity. The focus will be on the activities on the night of the seal opening on the 14th day of the first lunar month and the distribution of seals starting from early morning on the 15th day of the lunar month.
During the seal-opening ceremony, the organizing committee will close Thien Truong Temple to ensure the solemnity of the traditional ritual. From 5:00 AM on the 15th day of the first lunar month (February 24th), the temple will distribute seals to the people and visitors from all over at four locations, including the three Giai Vu houses and the Trung Hoa Temple exhibition hall.
From January 16th (February 25th), the distribution of printed amulets will continue to be held at the Giải Vũ houses from 7:00 AM daily.
"It is expected that a large number of visitors will come to the temple early to worship, perform spiritual rituals, and seek blessings for the new year. The organizing committee and the temple plan to issue more than 300,000 copies to meet the needs of the people and visitors from all over," Mr. Binh said.
In addition, this year, all display, exhibition, and service kiosks have been moved to Dong A Square in the central area of the Tran Temple festival. This creates a more open space within the Tran Temple grounds, ensuring solemnity and avoiding the overcrowding and pushing experienced by visitors during previous years.
The kiosks for display, exhibition, and services have been moved to Dong A Square in the central area of the Tran Temple festival.
According to Mr. Binh, the organization of this key festival always prioritizes solemnity, safety, economy, and ensuring security and order.
The management board of the historical site closely coordinated with the three wards and relevant departments to prepare, manage, and organize the festival; arranged and stabilized the kiosks; and prevented beggars, street singers, and illegal vendors from entering the festival area and the area in front of the temple gate.
To ensure security and safety for the seal-opening ceremony, 2,500 officers, soldiers, and staff from various forces will be mobilized to maintain security and order, divided into 5 rings, including 4 rings directly in the Tran Temple area with nearly 40 security checkpoints, to prevent overcrowding, pushing, and other safety incidents during the festival.
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