Highlights of Ky Yen Festival

A large number of Tien Chau people joined the procession carrying the royal decree from the house of the Prime Minister Nguyen Dinh Tuan to the communal house in Hoi An. Photo: DIEM LE

From 6am on March 8, people gathered at Hoi An communal house (Hoi An village, Tien Chau commune). The procession consisted of about 150 people, including young men holding diagonal flags, square flags, and weapons; and young women wearing traditional long dresses and turbans holding flowers.

Four young men were chosen to carry the palanquin to receive the royal decree. Following them were representatives from six Hoi An village factions and various members of the local people, from elders to women and children.

Students of Tien Chau commune beamed at the village festival. Photo: DIEM LE

The procession carried the palanquin together to the house of the Governor Nguyen Dinh Tuan to bring the royal decree to the Hoi An communal house. When the decree was brought back to the village, the main ceremony officially began in the grounds of the Hoi An communal house, witnessed by a large number of people and tourists.

The rituals took place solemnly, showing the people's respect for the village's tutelary deities and the people who founded the village, so that today's descendants can remember their origins and ancestors and preserve the unique cultural features left by their ancestors.

The ritual of carrying the royal decree to Hoi An communal house. Photo: DIEM LE

The royal decree was solemnly placed on the altar of the ancestors in Hoi An communal house. Photo: DIEM LE

Village elders perform the main ceremony in the main hall of Hoi An communal house. Photo: DIEM LE

The ceremony of presenting the royal decree during the main ceremony. Photo: DIEM LE

Outside the communal house yard, Tien Chau people solemnly and respectfully wait to offer incense to the village's ancestors. Photo: DIEM LE

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/dac-sac-le-hoi-ky-yen-3150224.html