Returning to Cao Lanh to attend the 205th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong's death

DTO - From July 31 to August 3, 2025 (June 7-10 of the lunar calendar, year of the Snake), people and tourists will gather in Cao Lanh ward (Dong Thap province) to attend the 205th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong. This is an important cultural and spiritual event, aiming to propagate, educate and create conditions for everyone to express their respect and remember the merits of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong - those who reclaimed the wasteland and helped people in the early days of land reclamation.

The temple of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong (located on Le Loi Street, Cao Lanh Ward, Dong Thap Province) is ranked as a National Historical and Cultural Relic.

This year's death anniversary is organized by the People's Committee of Cao Lanh Ward with many cultural, artistic, sports and diverse tourism connection activities, promising to bring a meaningful festival space, contributing to promoting the image, spiritual cultural values of Cao Lanh land and folk art to visitors from near and far.

The temple and tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong located on Le Loi Street, Cao Lanh Ward will be the center of activities. The death anniversary ceremony will be held in an open space with many special programs such as: The Countryside Cultural Space to recreate traditional beauty through calligraphy activities, reenacting the old Vuon Quyt market and experiencing a peaceful tea ceremony; The lantern festival with the theme "Hundred years of origin" will be a magical night with thousands of sparkling lanterns, full of gratitude and remembrance; The space to display and introduce OCOP products and typical products of Dong Thap is an opportunity for visitors to explore and shop for local specialties. Thematic talk activities about the merits of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong aim to help people and visitors understand more deeply about the moral example and contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong. Along with that, the exchange activities of health clubs, chess competitions, and lion-dragon performances will take place in an exciting and enthusiastic manner, attracting the participation of a large number of people.

In 2019, the tomb and temple of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong were ranked as a National Historical and Cultural Relic, affirming the great value of this relic in the history and spiritual life of the people. Every year, the death anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong is not only an occasion to pay tribute to the ancestors who have contributed to the people, but also an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the people of Cao Lanh, especially the traders at Cao Lanh market, always praying for Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong to bless them with good business and prosperity.

The Worship Committee of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong Temple performs the Royal Edict Ceremony according to traditional folk rituals in 2024

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Head of the Worship Committee of the Temple of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong shared: "Currently, we are carefully preparing for the 205th Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong's death such as: cleaning, arranging logistics to prepare the ceremony and receiving people during the anniversary. Every year, the Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong has about 90,000 people in Cao Lanh and from other places come to worship him and his wife". This shows the deep attachment and respect of the people for Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong.

Tourists from all over come to worship at the Temple of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong.

According to historical documents, in the early years of King Gia Long's reign, Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong, whose real name was Lanh, came from the Central region to settle in My Tra village (formerly Cao Lanh city). With their upright character and wealthy family, he was appointed by the villagers to hold the position of Cau Duong, to judge disputes. They reclaimed wasteland and planted tangerine gardens on the banks of Thay Kham canal. This place gradually became a bustling trading center. Seeing that buyers and sellers had no place to take shelter from the sun and rain, they built bamboo huts, forming the first market, later called Vuon Quyt market, Ong Cau market or Cau Lanh - the name associated with the place name Cao Lanh today.

Cao Lanh people wrap banh tet to offer to Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong to express their respect and gratitude.

In the year of Canh Thin (1820), when cholera raged throughout the My Tra area, causing the deaths of many people, Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong set up an altar, vowed to die for the people and prayed for the end of the epidemic. After 3 days of fasting and asceticism, she died on the 9th of the 6th lunar month and he also passed away on the 10th. Strangely, the cholera epidemic gradually subsided. In memory of their boundless merit, the people built a temple to worship them, called the Temple of Mr. and Mrs. Chu Cho and held a memorial service on the 9th and 10th of the 6th lunar month every year.

Tourists attend the death anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong and visit and take souvenir photos with miniature scenes recreating the old space (Photo: document)

In the days leading up to the death anniversary, the atmosphere in Cao Lanh ward became bustling and joyful. The death anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong is truly a festival of the people, where the traditional values of “When drinking water, remember its source” are preserved and spread. For many generations of Cao Lanh people, whether living locally or far away, the memories of the death anniversary of the Market Owner, and of beloved Cao Lanh are always a beautiful part of their memories, reminding them of their roots and deep gratitude.

DUONG UT

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/van-hoa/ve-cao-lanh-du-le-gio-ong-ba-do-cong-tuong-lan-thu-205-133230.aspx