Song Son - Ba Doi Festival 2024

On the morning of April 4th (corresponding to the 26th day of the 2nd lunar month), at Song Son Temple in Bac Son Ward, the People's Committee of Bim Son town solemnly organized the Song Son - Ba Doi Festival 2024.

Comrade Dau Thanh Tung, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and other delegates attended the festival.

Leaders of Bim Son town and delegates attending the festival.

Attending the festival were Comrade Dau Thanh Tung, Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders from several provincial departments and agencies, Bim Son town and neighboring districts; village associations; and a large number of local people and tourists from all over.

The leaders of Bim Son town beat the drum to officially open the festival.

The Song Son - Ba Doi Festival has a long history, reflecting the cultural and spiritual needs of the people in Bim Son town. It also showcases the national cultural identity and pays tribute to Saint Mother Lieu Hanh - one of the four immortal saints of the Vietnamese nation.

The congregations came to attend the ceremony.

The festival is also an occasion for people from all walks of life to commemorate the great contributions of the national hero Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue, who 235 years ago stopped at Ba Doi Pass to recruit soldiers, gather supplies, train patriots, and discuss strategies with Ngo Thi Nham and Ngo Van So before marching to liberate Thang Long. That victory has been etched into the history of our nation's struggle against foreign invaders and the recovery of our country.

Delegates and a large number of local people and tourists from all over the country attended the festival.

Song Son Temple, associated with the Song Son Festival, formerly known as Sung Tran Temple, was built during the reign of King Le Hien Tong (1740-1786) in Co Dam village, Phu Duong commune, Ha Trung district (now Bac Son ward, Bim Son town). Song Son Temple boasts a sacred space, picturesque scenery, and harmonious architecture and decoration reflecting traditional Vietnamese culture. It is famous for the popular saying, "Song Temple is the most sacred in Thanh Hoa province." It is dedicated to Mother Lieu Hanh, one of the most important deities in Vietnamese Mother Goddess religion. In 1993, Song Son - Ba Doi Temple was recognized as a National Historical Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information. On January 14, 2019, Song Son Temple was officially recognized as a provincial-level tourist destination by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Comrade Dau Thanh Tung, Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, paid tribute to the merits of Saint Mother Lieu Hanh.

The ritual of offering sacrifices (reading the ceremonial address) at the festival.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dau Thanh Tung and other delegates offered incense to commemorate the merits of Saint Mother Lieu Hanh. Following the opening drumbeat by the leaders of Bim Son town, the ritual of offering sacrifices (reading the congratulatory address) was conducted respectfully and solemnly to convey the wishes and aspirations of the people for a prosperous, happy, and peaceful life.

The art program "Legend of the Fairy Maiden of Ba Doi Pass".

Next, the art program "Legend of the Fairy Maiden of Ba Doi Pass" attracted the attention of a large number of people and tourists from all over. Here, Saint Mother Lieu Hanh used her magic to help travelers crossing Ba Doi Pass; taught the local people how to dig wells for water, plant mulberry trees, raise silkworms, and weave cloth; "relieve suffering, avert disaster," "encourage good, eliminate evil," showed boundless love for all living beings, and taught the people to "cultivate their character" according to Buddhist principles.

Procession of the sacred image of Mother Lieu Hanh.

Procession of the palanquin carrying Emperor Quang Trung

Following the artistic performance was the procession of the statue of Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, and the palanquin of Emperor Quang Trung, which was carried from the Ba Doi stele house to the Nine Wells Temple and returned to its rightful place.

Also as part of the festival, from April 2nd to 3rd, 2024, Bim Son town organized many unique folk cultural activities such as tug-of-war, rice cooking competition, chess, and the worship of the Holy Temple.

The organization of the Song Son - Ba Doi Festival aims to meet the religious needs of the people, preserve and promote traditional cultural values, and educate patriotism, compassion for the people, and solidarity in building the homeland. It also aims to enhance the sense of responsibility of Party committees, government agencies, and all levels of people in Bim Son town in preserving and promoting the value of existing historical relics, scenic spots, and landmarks. From there, it encourages continued investment and exploitation of the cultural and spiritual tourism potential of Bim Son town more effectively.

Tran Thanh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/le-hoi-song-son-ba-doi-nam-2024/210801.htm