Honoring meritorious deeds and promoting traditional culture.

(CLO) On February 11th (the 14th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake), at the special national historical site of the tomb of King Mai Hac De in Nam Dan town, the Party Committee and government of Nam Dan district ( Nghe An province ) solemnly organized a ceremony to offer incense in commemoration and inaugurate the King Mai Temple Festival 2025. This event is associated with the 1,312th anniversary of the Hoan Chau Uprising, a glorious milestone in the nation's history.

Attending the opening ceremony were Mr. Hoang Nghia Hieu – Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Nghe An province. Also present were representatives from various departments and agencies, leaders of Nam Dan district and neighboring districts, and a large number of local people and tourists from all over.

Opening ceremony of the 2025 Buddha festival commemorating meritorious deeds and promoting traditional cultural values (Figure 1) — Delegates attending the opening ceremony of the King Mai Temple Festival 2025.

Opening ceremony of the 2025 Buddha festival commemorating meritorious deeds and promoting traditional cultural values (Figure 2) — The Van An drum ensemble performance, along with dragon and lion dances, recreates the indomitable spirit and fierce will of King Mai Thuc Loan and his army.

The Mai Thuc Loan Temple Festival is held annually from the 13th to the 15th of January to commemorate the merits of Emperor Mai Thuc Loan and his generals and soldiers who bravely fought and defeated the Tang Dynasty invaders, establishing the independent Van An Kingdom for 10 years (713-722). This is an opportunity for the people to recall the heroic spirit of the Hoan Chau uprising, to awaken national pride, and to educate the younger generation about patriotism.

Opening ceremony of the 2025 Buddha Festival commemorating meritorious deeds and promoting traditional cultural values (Figure 3)

Besides its profound historical significance, the festival is also an opportunity to organize cultural and sports activities, enriching the spiritual life of the people, and promoting the Mai Hac De historical and cultural relic – one of the special national relics, contributing to the development of tourism in Nam Dan district in particular and Nghe An province in general.

Opening ceremony of the 2025 Buddha festival commemorating meritorious deeds and promoting traditional cultural values (Figure 4) — Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan District, beat the drum to officially open the King Mai Temple Festival 2025.

Prior to the opening ceremony, the District Party Committee, the People's Council, the People's Committee, the Fatherland Front Committee of Nam Dan district, along with the local people, organized a grand ceremony according to traditional rituals at the temple of King Mai, located in Mai Hac De block, Nam Dan town.

At the opening ceremony, delegates and the public enjoyed a performance of the Van An drum ensemble, dragon and lion dances performed by artists from the Nam Dan District Cultural, Sports and Communication Center. This was followed by the recitation of the ceremonial eulogy, the beating of drums to officially open the festival, and the offering of incense to commemorate King Mai, expressing reverence and gratitude towards this national hero.

Opening ceremony of the 2025 Buddha festival commemorating meritorious deeds and promoting traditional cultural values (Figure 5) — Delegates offer incense at the ceremonial altar.

During the festival, many unique cultural and sporting activities are organized, such as youth camps, men's volleyball, wrestling, stick pushing, card games, cockfighting, etc., creating a vibrant festival atmosphere and attracting a large number of locals and tourists.

Opening ceremony of the festival at Van Mai Temple 2025 commemorating meritorious deeds and promoting traditional cultural values (Figure 6)

Opening ceremony of the festival at Van Mai Temple in 2025 to commemorate merits and promote traditional cultural values (Figure 7). — Officials and people of Nam Dan district organized a procession to carry the deity from the temple of King Mai to the tomb of King Mai during the festival.

The King Mai Temple Festival is not only an occasion to commemorate the contributions of our ancestors but also contributes to preserving and promoting traditional cultural identity, connecting the community, and developing local tourism. With its unique historical and cultural values, the festival promises to continue to be an important spiritual and cultural destination every spring.

Here are some photos from the festival: