Opening of the Gray Temple Festival in 2025

On the morning of October 9 (ie August 18 of the lunar calendar), the People's Committee of Hong Quang ward held the opening ceremony of the 2025 Gray Temple Traditional Festival.

Drum performance at the opening ceremony of the Gray Temple Festival.

Attending the opening ceremony were representatives of leaders of departments, branches, wards, communes, local people and tourists from inside and outside the province.

The Gray Temple is a unique cultural and religious work in terms of history and architectural art. was ranked as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1964; and was recognized as a special national relic by the Prime Minister in 2025.

The temple was built in the 10th century to worship the General Tran Minh Cong (also known as Tran Lam), who helped King Dinh Bo Linh defeat the 12 warlords and unify the country. After his death, King Dinh Tien Hoang bestowed on him the title “National Capital Thanh Hoang”. The local people built a temple to worship him in his hometown and held annual festivals to show their gratitude for his merit.

Lion dance at the festival.

This year's Gray Temple Festival takes place from October 8 to 10 (ie August 17 to 19 of the lunar calendar). In addition to the rituals: incense offering, proclamation, friendship worship of Lac Dao, Giang Ta, Van Cu villages, palanquin procession, the festival also organizes many unique cultural and sports activities such as: rowing, lion - unicorn - dragon dance, water puppetry, cockfighting, blindfolded duck catching, chess, singing, ca tru, drumming, tug of war, football, attracting a large number of local people and tourists from all over to attend.

News and photos: Lam Hong

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-den-xam-nam-2025-251009113942754.html