Spring Festival at Tu Luong Village Temple

On the morning of March 21st (corresponding to the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month), Tu Luong village communal house (Duc Long ward, Phan Thiet city) held a Spring Festival ceremony to express gratitude to the village's guardian deity and the founding ancestors who made significant contributions to the early development of the village and the construction of the communal house.

During the ceremony, the various ritual groups, including the Chief Priest, Assistant Priests, the traditional music band, and the ceremonial apprentices, dressed in formal attire, successively performed the rituals in order to pray for the local tutelary deity and the blessings of the ancestors, for favorable weather, and for the people to live in peace and happiness.

**The ceremonial department organizes the worship ceremony according to traditional rituals.**

Tu Luong Temple was built in the early 19th century and completely restored in the 24th year of Tu Duc's reign (1871) to worship the local tutelary deity and the temple's ancestors. Overall, the temple still retains its original character quite intact, from its architectural structure and construction techniques to the decorative art on the roof, all clearly reflecting the characteristics of traditional folk architecture. Particularly noteworthy are the carvings and sculptures on the altars, incense burners, and decorative panels, as well as the interior layout, all adhering to folk conventions associated with the customs and beliefs of contemporary society.

***Tu Luong communal house still preserves many royal decrees granted by the Nguyen dynasty.***

Tu Luong communal house still preserves many ancient artifacts, including valuable Han Nom (Sino-Vietnamese) heritage, comprising 10 royal decrees granted by the Nguyen dynasty and village regulations carved on wood. Two main ceremonies are held here annually during the Spring and Autumn seasons: the Spring ceremony on the 12th day of the 2nd lunar month and the Autumn ceremony on the 12th day of the 8th lunar month, reflecting the principle of remembering one's roots, showing respect and gratitude of future generations to their ancestors. It is also an opportunity for the people to reflect on the traditions of labor, struggle, and the contributions of their forefathers.

**People come to participate in the rituals.**

The temple was classified as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information in Decision No. 38/2001/QD-BVHTT dated July 12, 2001.

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