Lang Son is a land rich in historical and cultural traditions, home to many ethnic groups. Each community has its own customs and festivals, contributing to the colorful cultural tapestry of this border region of Vietnam. Within this cultural landscape, the Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple Festival is considered one of the most representative festivals, deeply rooted in the history and cultural identity of the people of Lang Son. In 2015, the Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple Festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
Procession ceremony at the Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival in 2025
Unique cultural features
The Ky Cung Temple and Ta Phu Temple Festival is associated with two famous historical and cultural relics of Dong Kinh and Ky Lua wards. According to historical documents, Ky Cung Temple (Dong Kinh ward) was built during the Later Le Dynasty, initially as a small shrine dedicated to the Giao Long God (the God of Ky Cung River). Over time, it has evolved into a temple dedicated to Quan Lon Tuan Tranh, an official appointed to guard the border in Lang Son. Ta Phu Temple (Ky Lua ward) was built in the 4th year of Chinh Hoa (1683) by the people of 7 wards of Lang Son and merchants from 13 provinces of China to honor and worship Ta Do Doc Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai. In 1993, both relics were classified as national-level relics by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
The Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple Festival takes place from the 22nd to the 27th of January, comprising both ceremonial and festive parts. The main ceremonial part of the festival focuses primarily on two days (January 22nd and 27th), including the opening ceremony, procession, installation ceremony, and thanksgiving ceremony. At noon on the 22nd of January, the procession of the palanquin carrying the statue of Lord Tuan Tranh from Ky Cung Temple to Ta Phu Temple is conducted solemnly and grandly. On the 27th of January, the palanquin carrying Lord Tuan Tranh returns to Ky Cung Temple.
A large crowd of locals and tourists from all over watched the firecracker-throwing ceremony.
Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Provincial Cultural Heritage Association, said: The connection between the two temples is linked through the story of the unjust suffering of Lord Tuan Tranh, who was exonerated by Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai. Therefore, to repay the kindness of Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai, every year during the Ta Phu Temple - Ky Cung Temple festival, the people carry the palanquin of Lord Tuan Tranh to Ta Phu Temple (where Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai is worshipped) to participate in the Firecracker Festival and express gratitude to the person who exonerated him. On the 27th day of the first lunar month, the palanquin of Lord Tuan Tranh is carried back to Ky Cung Temple. This is the connection and link in the traditional festival between the two historical sites, Ky Cung Temple and Ta Phu Temple.
The festival includes processions and games such as: snatching firecrackers, chess, tug-of-war, stick fighting, martial arts, food festivals, sli singing, luon singing, quan ho singing... which take place with the participation of a large number of locals and tourists from all over.
The most distinctive feature of the Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple Festival is the scramble for the firecracker head on the morning of the 27th day of the first lunar month. The sacred firecracker head is a small, hollow metal ring wrapped in red cloth, attached to a large firecracker placed inside a cage. It is connected to smaller firecracker strings, coiled into many loops, and hung on a fresh bamboo pole erected in front of the temple on festival day. When the firecracker is lit, the firecracker head explodes and the metal ring flies into the air. People wait for the ring to fall before scrambling for the firecracker head.
According to local legend, during the tenure of the Left Commander-in-Chief of Han County, Than Cong Tai, there was a year when bandits rose up and harassed the people. He mobilized the garrison forces to cooperate with the people in defeating the bandits. After that victory, he allowed the people to hold an annual celebration at the beginning of the new year, and the Firecracker Festival began from then on.
Mr. Pham Van Tuan, Head of the Standing Committee of the Ta Phu Temple Relics, said: The ritual of snatching the firecracker head is based on a historical detail: during the tenure of the Left Admiral Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai, one year bandits rose up and harassed the people. He mobilized the garrison forces to cooperate with the people to defeat the bandits. After that victory, he allowed the people in the area to hold an annual festival to celebrate the victory at the beginning of the new year. At the festival, whoever snatched the firecracker head would bring it to the temple to report, after which the organizing committee would announce, honor, and reward them, then take it home to worship... On the 20th day of the first lunar month of the following year, the person who snatched the firecracker head must bring the firecracker head and offerings to the temple to give thanks and return it to the temple.
Proactive preparation
Recognizing the cultural and historical value of the Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple festival, in recent years, all levels of government and local authorities have paid attention to preserving and promoting the unique values of the festival. The organization of the festival is increasingly well-prepared, ensuring both the preservation of traditional rituals and meeting the needs of tourists for sightseeing and experiences. Management activities, ensuring security and order, environmental sanitation, and fire prevention and control have also been strengthened. Therefore, in the 2025 festival season alone, the Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple festival and its accompanying activities attracted 820,600 visitors (an increase of nearly 300,000 visitors compared to the previous year).
In 2026, following the implementation of a two-tiered local government system, autonomy will be transferred to the two core administrative units: Dong Kinh Ward and Ky Lua Ward. This is a crucial step towards maximizing the self-reliance and cultural potential of the locality. To date, the People's Committees of the two wards have meticulously and thoroughly prepared for this transition.
In Dong Kinh ward – the starting point of the palanquin procession – preparations are underway with great urgency. Ms. Pham Thi Thuan, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Dong Kinh ward, shared: "Over the past period, the ward has proactively coordinated closely with Ky Lua ward to finalize the palanquin procession route, traffic management plans, and especially the script for the reenactment of the Quan Tuan Tranh story. The collaboration between the two wards makes the activities more realistic and maximizes the participation of neighborhood associations and local people."
Preparations are not limited to the ceremonial part. At the peach blossom island area and along the main roads, logistics subcommittees are actively reviewing every detail. From the rehearsals of the lion, dragon, and unicorn dance troupes to the preparations for the rice cake wrapping competition and the display of ceremonial trays by neighborhood associations, everything is being done systematically.
Witnessing the meticulous preparations by the authorities of the two wards, the local people were extremely excited. Ms. Hoang Thi Mai, a resident of Block 1, Dong Kinh Ward, expressed: "This year, the wards have coordinated very well. We all reminded each other to clean our houses thoroughly and prepare betel nuts, tea, and other offerings to welcome the procession. Seeing the children practicing their performances and the elderly preparing the offerings, we feel very proud of our homeland's traditions."
Regarding Ky Lua ward, through discussions with representatives of the ward's People's Committee, we learned that even before the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the ward's People's Committee had held meetings, developed and issued plans and programs for organizing the festival; established an organizing committee and subcommittees to serve the festival. In addition, the ward's People's Committee proactively prepared the necessary infrastructure; created layout plans for the stage and used backdrops designed to suit the space, ensuring aesthetic appeal; ensured good security and order; rehearsed performances for the program; and contacted units participating in the procession to serve the festival...
The traditional festival at Ky Cung Temple - Ta Phu Temple is an occasion for people to express their gratitude for the meritorious deeds of Ta Do Doc Han Quan Cong Than Cong Tai and Quan Luu Tuan Tranh, who contributed to suppressing rebels and maintaining peace for the people. The enthusiastic pilgrimage to Ky Cung - Ta Phu is not only a spring excursion but also an opportunity for everyone to deeply appreciate the traditions, history, and cultural identity of Lang Son province.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/no-nuc-tray-hoi-lon-nhat-xu-lang-5080919.html
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