The Au Co Mother Goddess Temple Festival attracts a large number of locals and tourists.

VHO - On the morning of the 6th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse 2026 (February 22), the Au Co Mother Goddess Temple Festival in Hien Luong commune, Phu Tho province officially opened in a solemn atmosphere, attracting a large number of people and tourists from all over to offer incense and commemorate the Ancestral Mother.

The organizing committee presented commemorative flags to the delegations of artisans and athletes participating in the festival.

In the year of the Horse 2026, the Au Co Mother Goddess Temple Festival, organized by the People's Committee of Hien Luong commune, will be held at the central stage of the Au Co Mother Goddess Temple Historical Relic Site with many rich activities, focusing on paying tribute to Au Co, the sacred National Mother of the Vietnamese people .

According to the organizers, the festival is not only a traditional religious activity but also an opportunity to remind people of the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," strengthening community solidarity, and promoting the unique cultural values ​​of the locality.

Immediately following the opening ceremony was the program of wrapping and cooking banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and pounding banh giay (another type of Vietnamese rice cake). The image of pots of banh chung simmering over the fire, the lively sound of pestles pounding the rice cakes in the festival courtyard, recreated traditional activities associated with the worship of the National Mother Goddess, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in the early days of the new year.

This year's festival features participation from artisan groups and sports teams from six villages: Chuế Lưu, Xuân Áng, Lâm Lợi, Động Lâm, Quân Khê, and Hiền Lương. Cultural exchanges, folk sports competitions, and other activities enrich the atmosphere of the spring festival.

During the opening ceremony, the organizing committee presented commemorative flags to the participating artisan groups and athletes.

Prior to this, many programs were organized, such as the incense offering ceremony on the "Ascension Day," an art program celebrating the Party and the Spring Festival, and the ritual of offering sacrifices to the Three Venerable Lords.

The highlight of the festival is the "Immortal Descent" ceremony, which takes place on the morning of February 23rd (the 7th day of the first lunar month). The program will be livestreamed on the digital platforms of Phu Tho Newspaper and radio and television.

The procession of the palanquin began at 7:30 AM, followed by the female deity's ceremony at 8:00 AM at the Au Co Mother Goddess Temple historical site. The procession started from Duc Ong communal house to the ceremonial courtyard amidst the resounding sounds of drums and gongs, recalling the legend of "Children of Lac and Hong" associated with Lac Long Quan and Au Co.

According to legend, Au Co gave birth to a hundred eggs, which hatched into 100 children; 50 followed their father to the sea, and 50 followed their mother to the mountains. The eldest son ascended the throne, proclaiming himself the first Hung King, establishing the country of Van Lang, and setting his capital in Phong Chau.

Legend has it that during their journey to open up the land, the Mother Goddess and her children stopped at Hien Luong, reclaimed land for farming, and taught the people how to cultivate mulberry trees and raise silkworms. Upon completing her mission, the Mother Goddess ascended to heaven; a shrine was erected where she released the pink silk ribbon, which later developed into the present-day Au Co Mother Goddess Temple.

According to the Management Board of the historical site, from New Year's Eve until the end of the 4th day of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), approximately 40,000 people and tourists came to offer incense and pay respects. The opening ceremony on the morning of February 22nd alone attracted tens of thousands of visitors from Phu Tho and many neighboring localities.

According to Ms. To Thi Hai Yen, Head of the Relic Site Management Board, starting from the end of 2025, the unit has proactively renovated the landscape, completed the ceremonial preparations, and ensured that the relic site's space is airy, clean, and beautiful. Parking areas, walkways, public restrooms, etc., have been inspected and upgraded to serve the large number of visitors during peak seasons.

Security and traffic management were implemented scientifically; separate entrances and exits were arranged to minimize congestion. Police, medical , and fire departments were always on standby to ensure the safety of visitors. The Organizing Committee set the goal of organizing a safe, economical, and civilized festival; and resolutely dealt with acts of harassment and price gouging.

The Au Co Mother Goddess Temple in Hien Luong commune is a historical and cultural relic that has existed for more than five centuries.

In 1456, during the reign of Emperor Le Thanh Tong, the temple was granted a royal decree and underwent extensive renovations.

On August 3, 1991, the temple was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument.

On January 23, 2017, the belief in worshipping Mother Au Co was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In 2019, the statue of Mother Au Co was recognized as a National Treasure.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/le-hoi-den-mau-au-co-thu-hut-dong-dao-nhan-dan-va-du-khach-206116.html