The firecracker contest festival in Quang Uyen town.

On March 1st (or February 2nd in the lunar calendar), the 2025 Firecracker Competition Festival will take place in Quang Uyen town (Quang Hoa district).

Attendees included: Nong Thanh Tung, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Trinh Truong Huy, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of several provincial departments, agencies, armed forces, districts, cities, and Quang Hoa district.

Provincial leaders present flowers to congratulate the opening ceremony of the firecracker competition in Quang Uyen town (Quang Hoa district). — Provincial leaders presented flowers to congratulate the opening ceremony of the firecracker competition in Quang Uyen town (Quang Hoa district).

This festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2020. It is the largest festival of the year for the people of Quang Hoa district, closely associated with the historical and spiritual elements of Bach Linh Temple. The temple was built during the Ly Dynasty at the foot of Coc Bo Mountain, and completely rebuilt during the Nguyen Dynasty according to Nguyen Dynasty architecture. In front of the gate are a triple-arched gate, a front courtyard, a rear courtyard, and a sanctuary, with horizontal plaques and couplets. Above the gate are the three characters "Bach Linh Temple," and a relief of a winding dragon, built with bricks (from the Mac Dynasty), with a carving of a dragon holding a pearl, and a phoenix and a mythical creature (long ly) gathered nearby.

The Fireworks Festival revives local traditions, honoring Nùng Trí Cao, a general from Cao Bằng in the 11th century who defeated the Song army and defended the border. After defeating the invading Song army and protecting the northern border of Đại Việt under the Lý dynasty in the 11th century, Nùng Trí Cao organized feasts to celebrate his victory in the areas he passed through. When he arrived in Quảng Nguyên (present-day Quảng Hòa district) during the firecracker competition festival, Nùng Trí Cao chose a flat area and mobilized young men from the region, dividing them into several teams to compete for the first firecracker. The winning team would have good fortune and prosperity for the whole year.

The festival takes place over three days (from January 30th to February 2nd according to the lunar calendar) and consists of two parts: the opening ceremony of the dragon's eyes at the Coc Chu water source in Quang Uyen town, and the feast at the Nung Tri Cao Temple, with the hope that the dragon will bring favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and prosperity and happiness to the people. The procession includes a palanquin carrying a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh, a palanquin of the Earth God, a palanquin of fireworks, and a palanquin carrying a roasted pig (the prize for the winning team in the firecracker snatching game); and a sacrificial ceremony at the Bach Linh Temple. Afterwards, the dragon is paraded through the streets and around government offices in the town to celebrate the festival.

The festival includes cultural performances, many unique folk games and sports competitions (pickleball, grass pulling, chess, throwing the ball, blindfolded duck catching); folk song exchanges between folk song clubs from various communes and towns; display of five-colored sticky rice, and a pig roasting competition – a characteristic dish that is indispensable in the firecracker festival. Communes, towns, and villages organize stalls displaying local agricultural products and OCOP products. Visitors to the festival can also visit an exhibition of beautiful paintings and photographs of "Cao Bang's Landscape".

Immediately after the opening drumbeat, delegates and numerous visitors from all over enjoyed various cultural performances praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and love for their homeland; they also admired the spectacular, visually stunning, spirited, and heroic dragon and unicorn dances performed by the district's warriors, carrying the hope that the flying dragon would bring good things to life.

The highlight and unique feature of the firecracker head contest is the competition held on the afternoon of March 1st. This year's festival featured 19 teams from various communes and towns in the district, with 57 agile and strong young men competing for a jade ring adorned with vibrant five-colored tassels, symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and success. After the lively and intense competition, the Phi Hai commune team won the firecracker head at the 2025 festival.

Provincial leaders visit the Ocoop booth of Quang Hoa district. — Provincial leaders visit the OCOP (One Commune One Product) booth of Quang Hoa district.

The Firecracker Festival is one of the oldest and most traditional festivals in the district. It is an occasion for people of all ethnic groups in the district and visitors from all over to come and celebrate the spring, pray for a peaceful and joyful year, and encourage everyone to enthusiastically compete in learning, working, and producing, contributing to creating momentum for the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups in the area to successfully implement political , economic, and social tasks and goals.

Comment (0)