Visit Phu Xa village to see the Ky Phuc festival.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Ky Phuc is a traditional New Year festival in Vietnam that prays for national peace and prosperity. In Phu Xa village, Xuan Lap commune (Tho Xuan district), the Ky Phuc festival honoring the village's patron deity, Ly Kim Ngo, is no exception. The festival aims to foster unity and solidarity within the community, strengthening neighborly bonds and working together to build a prosperous homeland and a strong nation.

People come to offer incense at the Ky Phuc Thanh Hoang festival of Ly Kim Ngo village, Xuan Lap commune (Tho Xuan district).

Tracing back through history, the High-Ranking Blessed Deity Ly Kim Ngo, born in the year of Quy Mao (1183) and died in the year of Binh Dan (1206), was from Phuc Ha village (now Phu Xa village, Xuan Lap commune). During the Ly Dynasty, he was a talented general who successfully repelled the Lao invaders. After his victory, he refused titles in the court, requesting to return to his homeland. The king agreed and granted him Phuc Ha village – the land where he was born – the Thang Moc land. After his death, the king bestowed upon him the title "My Tu Thuong Dang Phuc Than" (High-Ranking Blessed Deity). From then until now, the people of the former Phuc Ha village, now Phu Xa village, Xuan Lap commune, have always remembered the merits of this talented general who repelled foreign invaders and venerate him as the village's tutelary deity, bringing his ancestral tablet to be worshipped at the Phu Xa village temple. The Ky Phuc Thanh Hoang Festival of Phu Xa village, held annually on the 4th day of the 2nd lunar month, is a traditional festival of the village to express gratitude for the merits of the village's tutelary deity, Ly Kim Ngo.

According to the book "Vietnamese Customs" by Phan Kế Bính, published by the Literature Publishing House in 2006, regarding the Kỳ Phúc festival: The Kỳ Phúc festival was originally the Kỳ Phúc ceremony – a popular ritual in the Red River Delta and North Central regions of Vietnam. Each year, during the four seasons or two periods of spring and autumn, there is a week-long grand ceremony called the Kỳ Phúc ceremony, meaning a prayer for the people's peace and safety... The word "Kỳ" is understood as a regular, annual event at a specific time. The word "Phúc" means "good fortune" or "lucky event".

The Ky Phuc Thanh Hoang Festival of Ly Kim Ngo Village in the year of the Snake (2025) was organized solemnly, meaningfully, and practically. The festival consisted of two parts: the ceremony and the festivities. The ceremony was solemn, featuring traditional processions and offerings to the village's tutelary deity; the festivities included lively folk games and performances, with many unique activities such as cultural exchanges, arts, sports , and traditional games like cockfighting... attracting a large number of people and tourists.

According to Le Dinh Hai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Xuan Lap commune, "The Ky Phuc festival at Phu Xa village communal house is deeply humane and reflects the distinctive folk culture of Vietnamese rural life. During the festival, local people, as well as children of the homeland studying, working, and living throughout the country, and visitors from all over, have the opportunity to gather, express their gratitude, and remember the contributions of their ancestors who fought against foreign invaders. Through the festival, people are encouraged to enhance their patriotism, strengthen community solidarity, and foster neighborly love to together preserve, protect, and build a more prosperous homeland."

Xuan Lap commune is known as a land of "spiritual and talented people," not only as the birthplace of the national hero Emperor Le Dai Hành and many other wise figures, but also as a land rich in historical traditions with cultural and spiritual landmarks and traditional festivals that have been preserved and promoted by the people for centuries. Therefore, the unique Ky Phuc festival at the beginning of spring in Phu Xa is an activity that contributes to the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural values, meeting the cultural and spiritual needs of the people in the commune and visitors from all over, thereby aiming to build a cultural village tourism destination in Tho Xuan district.

Text and photos: Le Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-lang-phu-xa-xem-le-hoi-ky-phuc-244600.htm