The mussel procession was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

On March 4th and 5th (corresponding to the 5th and 6th days of the second lunar month), the Thanh Liet Temple Festival took place, along with the awarding of the Provincial-level Historical Monument ranking certificate for the Co Xin ferry landing.

Thanh Liet Temple, located on the banks of the Lam River in Xuan Lam commune (Hung Nguyen district, Nghe An province), is a famous temple and historical site associated with the unique cultural values of the people of the riverine region. The temple was built at the end of the Later Le Dynasty. The deities worshipped at the temple are mostly associated with the riverine region, such as Thuy Phu Phu Tang Cam Lam Dai De, Thuy Quoc Dong Dinh Quan, Tien Su Ha Ba Thuy Quan Long Vuong Chua Te, Thuy Tinh Phu Nhan, Dao Ba Cong Chua Que Thanh Nuong, Long Vuong Chua Te Thuy Toc, Thuy Phu Ngu Vi Hoang Vuong, Ban Tho Tich Phuc Thuy Huu, Son Lieu Doc Cuoc, Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, and Nguyen Bieu.

The temple complex currently includes the main structures: the main gate, the worship hall, the lower hall, the middle hall, the upper hall, the left wing, and the right wing. Many ancient architectural features are preserved within these structures, featuring intricate and skillful carvings of the four mythical creatures and the four auspicious symbols.

Besides its ancient architectural beauty, Thanh Liet Temple is also notable for its procession festival. Clams are distinctive and unique.

From early morning, the ceremonial procession carrying the palanquin departed from Thanh Liet Temple to the alluvial plain along the Lam River, then moved onto boats decorated with colorful flags and flowers, carrying trays of offerings to the deities.

The fleet then moved to the confluence of the Lam and La rivers to hold a ceremony honoring the water god. Here, members of the ceremonial committee and local people prayed for a bountiful harvest, full boats of shrimp and fish, and a thriving clam population. Photo: Ho Dinh Chien.

After the ceremony on the river, the procession continued to the temple to perform the traditional rituals with solemnity.

The temple still preserves many valuable ancient artifacts and ritual objects such as dragon boats, palanquins, dragon thrones, ancestral tablets, wooden shoes, wooden swords, processional signs, and 42 royal decrees from the Le Dynasty to the Nguyen Dynasty...

The precious antique ceremonial hat is carefully preserved in the temple.

The palanquins, dragon thrones, and ancient dragon boats remain intact despite having survived for hundreds of years.

In addition to the unique ceremonial part, the festival also features a lively section with many attractive folk games, drawing thousands of tourists and locals from all over to participate.

Although the festival has existed for many generations, the traditional rituals of the Thanh Liet Temple Festival have been preserved intact, without being diluted or influenced by external factors.

In 1997, Thanh Liet Temple was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Historical and Cultural Monument – Architectural and Artistic Site.

In 2018, the Thanh Liet Temple Festival was inscribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/le-ruoc-hen-duoc-cong-nhan-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-post1722598.tpo