Unique features of the spring festival in Phu land.

Once dubbed the "most spectacular festival in Phu Thong market," the Phu Thong Long Tong Festival (Phu Thong commune, Thai Nguyen province) possesses a unique charm, attracting a large number of locals and tourists from all over. The Phu Thong Long Tong Festival is linked to real historical events and figures. Local people still recount this story and commemorate the great contributions of the talented general who bravely sacrificed himself in Phu Thong.

The offerings are simple, but they contain the heartfelt reverence of the local people towards their ancestors and deities.

Legend has it that in ancient times, in the Vinh Thong region (present-day Phu Thong commune), invaders from the North frequently harassed and plundered, and the locals called them Slấc Nồng (meaning Chinese invaders). To pacify the border, the imperial court sent a brave general to defend the area and quell the rebellion.

In the fierce battle on January 19th, just as victory was imminent, the general was killed by the enemy. His head was severed and fell in the Na Phai field, hence the name Na Mo field. The general's body, however, remained attached to his warhorse as if aided by divine intervention, continuing to wield his sword and strike down the enemy, striking terror into their hearts. Later, his body fell at Phai Luong on the banks of the Vi Huong River.

To commemorate his great contributions, the imperial court bestowed upon him the title of "Saint," and agreed to allow the people to build a temple called the Slấn Slảnh Temple (meaning the Temple of the Gods and Saints). Since the establishment of the Slấn Slảnh Temple, every year at the beginning of the new year (January 19th and 20th), the local people organize the Lồng Tồng Phủ Thông Festival to pay tribute to the heroic general, to educate about traditions, and to celebrate the spring festival with many attractive folk games.

Over the years, the Slấn Slảnh Temple has received attention for restoration and renovation, making it a beautiful place for locals and tourists to come and offer incense and gifts to pray for health and prosperity. It is also the main location for the annual Lồng Tồng Phủ Thông festival opening ceremony. In 2023, the Slấn Slảnh Temple was recognized as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic.

Ms. Ly Thi Thu, a resident of Phu Thong commune, said: "Every year on the 19th day of the first lunar month, local people come to the Slấn Slảnh temple to pray for blessings and peace. The offerings to the deities include sweets, wine, sticky rice, chicken, banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake), banh giay (traditional Vietnamese rice cake)... Although simple, they contain the sincere devotion of the people."

The memorial ceremony at Slấn Slảnh Temple during the Lồng Tồng Phủ Thông Festival is a community cultural activity that expresses the reverence and gratitude of the people of various ethnic groups in the area towards the heroic sacrifice of the imperial general and the ancestors and patriots who risked their lives to defeat the enemy and protect peaceful life.

The path leading to the Slấn Slảnh temple is kept clean and decorated with colorful flags to welcome visitors from all over.

Mr. Trieu Van Them, who is in charge of the rituals at Slan Sanh Temple, said: "The prayer is meant to express gratitude to the deities and to pray for peace, good fortune, and a bountiful harvest for the people in the new year. The commemoration of the deities at Slan Sanh Temple is a spiritual activity that kicks off the series of ceremonial events at the Phu Thong Spring Festival."

The Lồng Tồng Phủ Thông festival is also the final festival, concluding the vibrant spring festivals held annually in January in the northern communes. Before the opening ceremony, people come to offer incense and carry offerings from the Slấn Slảnh temple to the festival area.

The ceremonial part is deeply spiritual, containing sacred elements in the cultural life of the people of Phu Thong. Selected young men and women will carry trays of offerings and, together with local people and delegates, process the offerings from the Slan Slanh temple to the festival area, the Na Lien Ma field in Phu Thong commune.

This year, the "Lồng tồng Phủ Thông" Festival will take place over three days, from March 6th to 8th (corresponding to the 18th, 19th, and 20th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) in the Nà Liền Mạ field, with traditional rituals such as: commemorating the deities at the Slấn Slảnh temple; carrying the deities from the Slấn Slảnh temple to the festival area... Along with that, there will be vibrant cultural and sporting activities such as: Then singing and Tinh playing, throwing the ball and folk games, ethnic costume performance competition, camping competition, culinary competition, and OCOP product display…

Preparations are being urgently carried out by the People's Committee of Phu Thong commune to ensure the successful organization of the festival, contributing to creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere for the people during the Lunar New Year.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202603/net-rieng-cua-hoi-xuan-dat-phu-42c41a5/