Applying digital technology in the management of Mother Goddess worship - preserving heritage standards.

VHO - The exchange event "Practicing the spirit medium ritual in the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship belief of the Vietnamese people - Hanoi 2025" took place at Rung Temple, Bo De Ward, Hanoi City, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005 - November 23, 2025).

The event was organized by the Thang Long - Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association, the Steering Committee of the Hanoi Mother Goddess Worship and Traditional Singing Club (under the Thang Long - Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association), in coordination with the People's Committee of Bo De Ward.

The program took place from December 16th to 18th with the participation of numerous delegates, artisans, mediums, and Taoist priests who are members of the Club, along with a large number of local people and tourists from all over.

The exchange program "Practicing the ritual of spirit mediumship in the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship of the Vietnamese people - Hanoi 2025" will feature the participation of 21 spirit mediums from across the country.

After three days of organization, on the evening of December 18th, the exchange program "Practicing the ritual of spirit mediumship in the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship of the Vietnamese people - Hanoi 2025" concluded and awarded certificates of merit to the temple attendants and mediums who participated in the ritual of spirit mediumship.

With 21 participants from Hanoi and other localities across the country such as Lam Dong, Hung Yen , Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, etc., the event provided a valuable opportunity for exchange and learning, contributing many practical ideas in preserving the belief system.

In his concluding remarks on the program, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tat Kim Hung - Deputy Head of the Hanoi Mother Goddess Worship and Traditional Singing Club - said: "The program created an atmosphere of excitement, unity, and mutual learning among the mediums, singers, researchers, cultural managers, and members."

Each collective and individual has actively contributed to the implementation of the National Action Program for the Protection and Promotion of the Value of Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The event also serves as a practical activity to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the Vietnamese practice of worshipping the Mother Goddess of the Three Realms being recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”

Through the ritual performances of 21 mediums with 63 spirit possessions, after each ritual, participants exchanged ideas and offered feedback on each spirit possession, including costumes, props, performance art, and lyrics. They noted innovations in the practice of spirit possession rituals, while still ensuring the preservation of tradition, ancient practices, and adherence to proper rituals and customs.

Based on that, we will gradually create a typical model suitable for contemporary life (recognized by the Mother Goddess community).

The exchange provides an opportunity for mediums and artisans to share experiences and discuss the rituals and practices of their heritage.

According to the members, this is an opportunity for temple masters, temple keepers, Taoist mediums, and folk singers and artists, as well as association members, to meet, interact, and exchange experiences on the content, form, costumes, music , and lyrics in the practice of spirit medium rituals.

Let's explore and discover innovations that are suitable for contemporary life, while maintaining the spirit of preserving and inheriting traditional culture, and combating negative phenomena such as the exploitation of spirit medium rituals for superstition and commercialization.

The artisans received certificates from the organizing committee.

Artisan Hoang Xuan Mai - Member of the Steering Committee of the Hanoi Club for the Preservation of Mother Goddess Worship and Traditional Singing, and head priestess of the Rung Temple - which has been the venue for many years for the exchange program on the practice of spirit medium rituals - assessed:

"After three days of organization, the participating mediums all showed sincere devotion, performed the rituals systematically, and conducted ceremonies with solemnity, contributing to the propagation of the Vietnamese belief in the worship of the Three-Realm Mother Goddess."

Through their rituals and ceremonies, the mediums, shamans, and musicians have left many positive impressions on the members and the people, fostering gratitude for their origins, remembering the heroic martyrs who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, and venerating Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, Mother Au Co, and other Saint Mothers who govern nature.

"This also serves as an educational lesson about remembering our roots, showing gratitude to our mothers who gave birth to and raised us. At the same time, it guides people towards tolerance, generosity, and a sense of community in preserving and promoting the values ​​of Vietnamese national cultural identity across generations."

Also at the exchange program "Practicing the ritual of spirit mediumship in the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship of the Vietnamese people - Hanoi 2025", artisan Hoang Xuan Mai performed the ritual of carrying the spirit medium's palanquin during the opening and closing days of the program, such as: the Goddess of the temple, the First Lord, the Second Lady, and the Lord Hoang Bo, demonstrating solemnity and proper conduct, while contributing to vividly recreating the unique spiritual and cultural values ​​of the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship.

Following the program, the artisans and mediums also petitioned the Thang Long - Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association to develop standardized regulations and documents; to conduct research and issue guidance documents on standardized spirit medium rituals as a basis for mediums to learn from.

Clear regulations should be established regarding the practice space (it should only be performed at temples, shrines, and places of worship dedicated to the Mother Goddess), avoiding the arbitrary organization of spirit medium rituals in public spaces or stage areas, as has happened in some localities.

The artisans hope to further spread the image of beautifully performed, traditional rituals for the Mother Goddess worship community to learn from, while condemning distorted, deviant, and exploitative practices that profit from the faith.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tat Kim Hung also stated that the Hanoi Mother Goddess Worship and Traditional Singing Club will soon be stepping up the application of digital technology in establishing and managing the list of artisans and mediums to facilitate management and implementation of policies and regulations from relevant authorities.

Through digital platforms such as Zalo, Facebook, TikTok, etc., the club will further spread the image of mediums with beautiful and proper ritual practices for the Mother Goddess worship community to learn from, while condemning distorted, deviant, and exploitative practices of the faith.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/ung-dung-cong-nghe-so-trong-quan-ly-tin-nguong-tho-mau-giu-gin-chuan-muc-di-san-189861.html