The traditional Bach Dang Festival has long been an important cultural and historical event in Quang Ninh province, a place where the heroic memories of the nation converge through glorious victories on this historic river.
In 2026, the festival will continue to be organized on a large scale, with elaborate preparations and many new highlights, promising to bring to the people and tourists a cultural space rich in identity, emotion, and meaning.
Bach Dang Festival 2026: Thorough preparation, ready for the grand event.
Taking place from April 22nd to 25th, 2026 (corresponding to the 6th to 9th day of the 3rd lunar month), this year's Bach Dang Traditional Festival will be held at the Bach Dang Victory Monument Complex in Quang Yen town. This is not only an annual cultural event but also a special occasion to honor the recognized value of the national intangible cultural heritage.
From the beginning of April, preparations for the festival have been bustling. At the Tran Hung Dao Temple and Queen Mother's Shrine, the central stage is being completed rapidly, ensuring the opening ceremony takes place as planned on the evening of April 22nd. The main roads leading to the historical site are also brightly decorated with flags, flowers, and banners, creating a fresh and solemn appearance.
A notable feature of this year's festival is its new organizational model, spearheaded by the Ha Long Bay-Yen Tu World Heritage Management Board in coordination with local authorities. This change is expected to improve the efficiency of management, conservation, and promotion of heritage values, while also creating a more professional and well-organized festival.
Preparations were not limited to infrastructure but were also implemented comprehensively throughout the program. Traditional rituals such as sacrificial ceremonies and processions were meticulously reviewed and restored to ensure accuracy, solemnity, and adherence to historical values. Simultaneously, the festival activities were revamped, harmoniously blending traditional and modern elements to enhance their appeal to the public.
The 2026 Bach Dang Traditional Festival is not only a cultural event unique to Quang Ninh province, but also a meeting point for those who love history and national culture. It's an opportunity for everyone to "touch" the past, to feel the heroic spirit of a thousand years still echoing along this historical river.
The origins of the Bach Dang Festival
More than just a traditional festival, the Bach Dang Festival is a vibrant symbol of national history, associated with three resounding victories on the Bach Dang River in 938, 981, and 1288. These are glorious milestones, affirming the independent will and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people in the face of invading forces.
The victory in 938 under the leadership of Ngo Quyen ended more than a thousand years of Chinese rule, ushering in a long era of independence. In 981, Le Dai Hanh further affirmed the nation's strength by defeating the invading Song army. The pinnacle was the victory in 1288, when Tran Hung Dao and the Tran dynasty's army annihilated the powerful Mongol navy, marking one of the most glorious victories in the history of resistance against foreign invaders.
These victories are what give the festival its soul. The people of Quang Yen organize the festival annually as a way to pay tribute to their ancestors, and at the same time remind today's generation of the tradition of patriotism, self-reliance, and national unity.
The festival, also known as the "Commemoration of the Fallen Soldiers," signifies the remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the country. The festival space spans various historical sites such as the Tran Hung Dao Temple, Yen Giang communal house, Trung Coc Temple, and the Queen Mother's Shrine, creating a rich cultural and historical complex.
The recognition of the festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage is not only a legal acknowledgment but also a testament to the festival's enduring value in the community's spiritual life. It also provides a basis for the locality to continue preserving, promoting, and publicizing the festival to friends both domestically and internationally.
A harmonious blend of tradition and modernity
During the festival, a series of cultural, religious, and recreational activities are organized, creating a vibrant and attractive atmosphere.
The ceremony was conducted solemnly with rituals such as the Yết sacrifice, the Chính hội sacrifice, the Giã hội sacrifice, and especially the procession of the statue of Saint Trần. This was one of the important highlights, attracting the participation of more than 40 procession groups with hundreds of people. Each group meticulously prepared everything from offerings and costumes to formations, showing their reverence for their ancestors.
The long procession, with its vibrant flags and banners, and the resounding sounds of drums and gongs, creates a sacred and moving atmosphere. For the local people, participating in the procession is not only an honor but also a responsibility to preserve tradition.
A unique aspect of the festival is the custom of having children crawl under the palanquin, hoping to be blessed with good health and academic success. This is a small detail, but it clearly reflects the profound spiritual beliefs and humanistic values of the festival.
Besides the ceremonial part, the festival is lively with many attractive activities such as boat racing, tug-of-war, traditional wrestling, human chess, swinging, cockfighting… These folk games are not only entertaining but also recreate some of the heroic atmosphere of the battles of the past.
In particular, the boat races on the Bach Dang River always attract a large crowd of spectators. The cheers and the sound of oars splashing in the water create a lively scene, reflecting the spirit of unity and community strength.
In addition, artistic programs such as Cheo singing, Quan Ho folk singing, and public cultural performances also contribute to enriching the content of the festival. The combination of tradition and modernity helps the festival not only preserve its identity but also become more accessible to young people.
Through the festival, cultural values are strongly disseminated, contributing to the promotion of cultural and spiritual tourism , while affirming the role of the locality in preserving and promoting heritage. More importantly, the festival continues to nurture national pride and instill patriotism in present and future generations.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the Bach Dang Festival still retains its unique beauty – a space where the past and present intertwine, where history is not only recounted but also brought back to life in every ritual, every activity, and in the hearts of the people.
Given its precious historical and cultural values, the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the Bach Dang relic and festival have always been a top priority for Quang Ninh province, with significant investment in conservation and development.
One of the key directions that Quang Ninh is actively implementing is the development of tourism associated with the historical value of Bach Dang, connecting tourist routes and destinations within and outside the province, linking Bach Dang with the Tran Dynasty historical site, the Yen Tu scenic area, along with the preservation, restoration and promotion of intangible cultural values in the town, making the Bach Dang National Special Historical Site complex an attractive tourist destination of Quang Ninh province.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/le-hoi-bach-dang-dong-chay-lich-su-and-niem-tu-hao-dan-toc-post1106118.vnp
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