Farmer Nguyen Ngoc An (75 years old, Duy Tien town, Ha Nam province) entered the spirit of the king, wearing a mask and a royal robe to reenact the scene of King Le Dai Hanh plowing the fields. Behind him, dozens of village girls followed to sow seeds.
On the morning of February 4 (January 7, At Ty year) in Tien Son commune (Duy Tien town, Ha Nam province), the 2025 Doi Son Tich Dien Festival took place.
The ceremony was attended by Ms. Bui Thi Thom, Vice President of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union , representatives of Ha Nam province's leaders, several localities inside and outside the province, and thousands of people and tourists.
On the morning of February 4, thousands of people flocked to the Doi Son Tich Dien Festival. To ensure security and order, authorities have diverted traffic from a distance to avoid congestion.
According to historical records, the festival originated when King Le Dai Hanh returned to the foot of Doi mountain to hold the first Tich Dien (plowing) ceremony in Vietnamese history in the spring of Dinh Hoi year, the 7th year of Thien Phuc era (987).
While plowing the fields of Tich Dien in Doi Son, the king found a pot of gold. In 988, the king plowed the fields of Ban Hai and found a pot of silver, so these fields were later called Kim Dien and Ngan Dien.
Since then, Tich Dien has become a beautiful custom that was solemnly and respectfully performed by later dynasties such as Ly, Tran, and Hau Le. In particular, during the Nguyen Dynasty, the Tich Dien ceremony had many specific "rules", was organized on a large scale, and was presided over by the Ministry of Rites.
The annual Tich Dien Festival of Ha Nam has become a beautiful feature in community cultural activities.
After a long interruption, since 2009 this good custom has been systematically restored and maintained until now.
Drum performance of Doi Tam village drum team.
The annual Tich Dien Festival of Ha Nam has become a beautiful feature in the community's cultural activities because it is a festival rich in humanity, promoting agriculture, expressing gratitude to ancestors in reclaiming and expanding fields, promoting the spirit of being close to the people, respecting farmers, and farming...
At the festival, groups carrying flags, palanquins... head to the fields where King Le Dai Hanh plowed at the beginning of the year to encourage people to grow rice and take care of agriculture .
Then came the drum performance of the Doi Tam village drum team and the ritual of worshiping the god of agriculture to pray for a new year of bountiful crops performed by artisan Pham Tri Khang.
After the incense offering ceremony at the altar of the Le King's God of Agriculture and the gods of fortune, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An (75 years old) performed the ritual of entering the king's spirit, wearing a mask, wearing a royal robe, and stepping down to plow the first plows to open the Tich Dien festival. Behind him, dozens of village girls followed to sow seeds.
The ritual of worshiping the God of Agriculture to pray for a bountiful harvest in the new year performed by artisan Pham Tri Khang.
Sharing with PV Dan Viet, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc An said that this is the 6th time he has had the honor of playing the role of King Le Dai Hanh at Tich Dien.
Ha Nam farmer Nguyen Ngoc An (75 years old) wears a mask imbued with the spirit of a king, puts on a royal robe and performs the ritual of King Le Dai Hanh plowing the fields with the first plows.
Mr. Truong Quoc Huy - Chairman of Ha Nam Provincial People's Committee went to the field to plow.
Behind, dozens of village girls followed to sow seeds.
" When I was chosen to play the role of King Le Dai Hanh, I was very surprised and worried. I still remember clearly the first time my name was called to put on the royal robe to plow the fields, I was very nervous.
With the encouragement of the commune leaders and through further research and study to adjust my gait and demeanor, in the spring of 2019, for the first time I took on the role of a king in the Tich Dien Festival.
The night before the festival, I was restless and worried. Although I had rehearsed many times before, and was not unfamiliar with buffaloes and plows, I was still nervous.
When the festival ended, receiving compliments, encouragement and support from everyone, I felt excited, proud and more confident. From 2019 until now, I have played the role of the plowing king for 6 years."
Present at the festival, Ms. Le Thanh Nhan (60 years old, Ha Nam resident) said that she and her family are very proud to be born and raised in Duy Tien land.
"The Tich Dien Festival has been restored, making us happy, excited and proud. Every year since 2009, I have been present to witness the Tich Dien Festival. For farmers, the festival is an occasion for us to pray for favorable weather and encourage each other to work hard on our homeland's land, to have a prosperous and comfortable life," said Ms. Nhan.
Thousands of people attended the 2025 Tich Dien Ceremony.
Mr. Mai Thanh Nam (50 years old, Ha Nam resident) said that his family was honored to have a buffalo chosen at the festival. "Every year at the festival, we only hope for a bountiful harvest and for farmers' lives to become increasingly prosperous and happy."
Tich dien became a fine custom that was solemnly and respectfully practiced by later dynasties such as Ly, Tran, and Hau Le.
Lion dance at the Tich Dien Festival.
Traveling dozens of kilometers, many farmers in Hung Yen, Nam Dinh and Hanoi also arrived early to witness the Tich Dien Ceremony.
"Every year the festival takes place, it is another reminder for us to have a more complete view of agricultural development," farmer Nguyen Van Hieu (Nam Dinh) shared.
In the festival space, the Organizing Committee also arranged many booths to serve people and tourists to visit and shop for agricultural products, rural industrial products and OCOP of Ha Nam; participate in many traditional folk games during the 3 days of the festival (from January 5 to 7).
Source: https://danviet.vn/mot-ong-nong-dan-ha-nam-nhap-linh-khi-quan-vuong-khoac-long-bao-di-cay-ruong-tai-le-tich-dien-20250203223024079.htm
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