Visiting Tien Pagoda Festival

In early spring of the Year of the Horse 2026, people and tourists eagerly flocked to Tien Pagoda, wholeheartedly paying homage to Buddha and the sacred Hung Saint, praying for peace and prosperity for the nation, family harmony, favorable weather, and well-being for all living beings...

Tien Pagoda in An Nghia commune is located in a picturesque area with a system of caves and sacred relics. In particular, the Tien Pagoda festival is associated with the legend of worshipping Mother Au Co – the mother of the Hung Kings. The Tien Pagoda complex (Trinh Temple, Mau Temple, Tien Pagoda, etc.) worships the Three Tan Vien Mountain Saints and the Four Holy Mothers of the South Sea, revered and honored deities. The area also boasts an ancient Muong cultural space with legendary stories about the land and fantastical stalactite caves.

In the minds of locals and tourists from within and outside the province, Tien Pagoda is not only a famous tourist destination but also a mystical spiritual space, a place where long-standing cultural and historical values ​​converge. The pagoda is known as a "precious gem," attracting people from all over to visit and offer prayers.

Locals and tourists make pilgrimages and offer prayers at Tien Pagoda.

This is also one of the temples with beautiful architecture, combining ancient and modern elements, with its soaring red tiled roof, creating a solemn and sacred space. In 1989, Tien Pagoda was recognized as a historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, marking a milestone affirming the cultural and spiritual value of the heritage. The pagoda, along with surrounding spiritual tourism destinations such as Tien Cave, Ong Hoang Bay Cave, Tan Vien Temple, and many other landmarks, forms a unique cultural and spiritual tourism complex.

Tien Pagoda has a soaring, curved red tiled roof and an architectural style that blends ancient and modern elements.

According to Comrade Nguyen Ngoc Van - Chairman of the People's Committee of An Nghia commune: The Tien Pagoda Festival lasts from the 4th day of the Lunar New Year until the end of the 3rd lunar month. The opening ceremony takes place over 3 days (from the 4th to the 6th day of the Lunar New Year) with many worship rituals.

Processions carrying palanquins from three directions converged on the main space of Tien Pagoda.

The opening ceremony of the Tien Pagoda festival is the procession of palanquins. Locals and tourists can admire three palanquin processions from Trinh Temple, Mau Temple, and Trung communal house converging on the main area of ​​Tien Pagoda. This ritual is not only deeply spiritual but also a fun community activity that brings people together. Under the ancient roofs and along the paths leading to the temples, the sound of drums and ceremonial music echoes throughout the area, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere.

This is the place where Mother Au Co is worshipped with reverence.

Following the procession, the festival begins with the incense offering ceremony at the main hall of Tien Pagoda, where deities, especially Mother Au Co, are worshipped. This is when devotees and visitors offer prayers for health, wealth, and peace. People usually light incense, scatter flowers, and pray for the deities to bless themselves, their families, and the community.

The mystical natural beauty of the cave system within the Tien Pagoda scenic area.

Other caves and temples within the complex are also must-see destinations on the journey to explore the Tien Pagoda Festival. Among them, Tam Toa Cave is one of the important spiritual sites. Not only does it possess natural beauty, but it is also associated with folk tales about deities worshipped by the local people; Mau Au Co Cave at the foot of the mountain offers a spacious and cool atmosphere. Nearby are Suoi Vang and Suoi Bac caves, with streams winding around the caves, creating a dreamy and mysterious landscape.

The annual Tien Pagoda Festival is a much-anticipated event for the local community, providing an opportunity for people to showcase their traditional artistic talents through spectacular performances such as lion, dragon, and unicorn dances, Xoan singing, Cheo singing, Chau Van singing, traditional musical instruments, Muong gong art, and demonstrations of the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship practices. These artistic performances are not only entertaining but also contain profound cultural values, reflecting the rich spiritual life of the people.

This is also an opportunity for tourists and locals to participate in fun activities and attractive folk games. At the 2026 Tien Pagoda Festival, visitors can witness competitions in tug-of-war, stick pushing, and volleyball; experience traditional games like throwing the ball, swinging, and bamboo dancing... creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. The games are usually held outdoors, reflecting the rich national identity and serving as a way to strengthen community bonds.

Organizing folk games and sports activities creates a lively atmosphere and strengthens community bonds.

Harmoniously blending solemn Buddhist rituals, traditional folk beliefs, ethnic cultural and artistic activities, and community life, the annual Tien Pagoda Festival aims to preserve cultural heritage, conserve historical, architectural, ceremonial, and customary values ​​of ethnic groups, contributing to building a healthy spiritual and cultural life, fostering community cohesion, and creating a space for exchange and solidarity among ethnic groups and generations.

At the Tien Pagoda Festival, tens of thousands of locals and tourists from all over the country wholeheartedly turn their attention to the Three Jewels, commemorating their ancestors and fostering a healthy and virtuous spiritual life. The festival is not only a legacy of the past but also a spiritual asset of the present and future, a convergence of faith, morality, culture, and aspirations for a better life. Each participant becomes a cultural ambassador, contributing to spreading the compassionate wisdom of the Buddha, the moral character of revered saints, and the beautiful image of Tien Pagoda and An Nghia; contributing to building a homeland and nation that progresses rapidly, strongly, and steadily in this era of national development.

Content and photos: BUI MINH

Source: https://baophutho.vn/tray-hoi-chua-tien-248331.htm