Promoting the value of national intangible cultural heritage associated with tourism development

In the development flow of the province, national intangible cultural heritage is not only the crystallization of historical depth but also an important endogenous resource, contributing to promoting socio-economic development and developing spiritual cultural tourism. Implementing the resolutions of the Central and the province for the 2020-2025 term, the province has been effectively promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage associated with tourism development, creating momentum for the development of the homeland in the new term.

Water procession ceremony at Tran Temple festival, Long Hung commune.

Standing out in the national intangible cultural heritage treasure of the province is the Tran Temple Festival in Long Hung Commune, the birthplace of the Tran Dynasty. Due to its unique historical value and cultural identity, in 2014, the Tran Temple Festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage; The tombs and temples of the Tran Dynasty kings were ranked as special national monuments. The festival takes place from January 13 to 17 every year. The cultural highlight of the festival is the reenactment of many traditional folk games and performances such as: Fish feast competition, clay cannons, banh chung wrapping, phoenix-wing betel making, wrestling, chess, fire-pulling, tug-of-war, singing festival, and cheo club exchanges. Since 2013, the Tran Temple Festival has been held at the provincial level. Mr. Pham Thanh Tam, Chairman of Long Hung Commune People's Committee, said: In 2021, the Prime Minister issued a decision approving the task of planning the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of the special national relic site of the tomb and temple of Tran Dynasty kings with an area of ​​195.01 hectares; currently, the detailed planning dossier has been completed to establish a public investment project and mobilize resources for construction in the coming time.

Continuing that traditional cultural flow, the Ong Pagoda festival in Nhu Quynh commune has just been included in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism according to Decision No. 1662 dated June 3, 2025. This is a great honor for the locality, a responsibility in preserving and promoting the value of traditional festivals. Venerable Thich Minh Hau, Abbot of Ong Pagoda, said: "Ong Pagoda, whose Chinese name is Ban Tinh Tu, was built during the Ly Dynasty (12th century), not only as a place to worship Buddha but also to worship Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh and King Ly Than Tong. This is a unique festival in the region with many traditional rituals and ceremonies still preserved such as: King Ly Than Tong's procession, water procession, sacrifices, especially the flag-waving ceremony that only occurs at Ong Pagoda festival". Before the new honor, Nhu Quynh commune has proactively built a long-term preservation roadmap, combining spiritual and cultural elements with local tourism development.

Water procession and procession ceremony at Tran Temple festival, Long Hung commune.

The province is proud that the folk knowledge of raising and processing Dong Tao chicken, a rare breed originating from Hoan Long commune, has just been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, according to Decision No. 1743 dated June 10, 2025. Folk knowledge in selecting breeds, caring for, preventing diseases, processing chickens... has been accumulated and passed down by the people of Hoan Long through many generations. Dishes made from Dong Tao chicken such as steamed chicken with lemon leaves, chicken feet stewed with Chinese herbs, chicken ham, salted chicken... both retain the traditional flavor and have high economic value, contributing to improving people's livelihoods. Professor, Dr. Vu Dinh Ton, Vietnam Academy of Agriculture, assessed: "Dong Tao chicken and the accompanying knowledge are proof of sustainable agriculture, associated with local culture. This is a living heritage that needs to be cared for, preserved and developed". In addition to the folk knowledge of raising and processing Dong Tao chickens, the province also has the sea salt making profession (Thai Thuy commune); Nam Cao linen weaving profession (Le Loi commune) recognized as national intangible cultural heritage. According to statistics, up to now, Hung Yen has 29 national intangible cultural heritages such as: Keo Pagoda Festival (Vu Tien commune); Rain-praying Festival (Nhu Quynh commune); Ca Tru singing art (Binh Dinh commune, Nghia Tru, Pho Hien ward); Thai Binh Cheo art; Dong Hung water puppetry (Dong Hung commune)...

Introducing Dong Tao chicken products, Hoan Long commune.

According to Mr. Do Huu Nhan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: In the coming term, we will continue to promote the unique cultural image of Hung Yen to expand the tourism market; focus on training and teaching folk cultural knowledge in the community, especially the young generation, ensuring that the heritage is inherited in its true identity, spread in modern life as a valuable "spiritual material" for the sustainable development of the province in the new term, striving to become a center of unique cultural heritage in the Red River Delta region and the whole country.

Thanh Thuy

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-gan-voi-phat-trien-du-lich-3186066.html