Tran Temple Festival, one of the largest and most meaningful festivals in the cultural and spiritual life of the people of northern Vietnam, is an occasion to honor the Tran Kings - those who have made great contributions to maintaining independence and protecting the country's borders. Every year, from January 13 to 17, people from all over the country flock to Tran Temple, Nam Dinh province, to participate in the festival and pray for a new year full of luck, peace and prosperity. Tran Temple Festival is not only a place to express deep gratitude for the contributions of ancestors but also a journey to discover the heroic cultural and historical heritage of the Vietnamese people.
Starting from the opening ceremony on the night of January 14, Tran Temple was immersed in a solemn and sacred atmosphere with a procession, a sacrifice ceremony and other traditional rituals. Thousands of people and tourists from all over gathered here, in neat costumes, holding incense and flowers, full of respect. The sound of drums and gongs resounded loudly, mixed with the smoke of incense, creating a scene that was both solemn and warm with national sentiment. At that moment, everyone felt the breath of history, the breath of the glorious feats that the Tran kings had established to protect the country.
Procession of palanquins in the traditional festival of Tran Temple. Photo: Nam Dinh Newspaper
Following the ceremony are joyful and bustling festival activities. Folk games such as wrestling, human chess, tug of war not only attract people's participation but also bring joy and laughter to everyone, from old to young. Talking about the Tran Temple Festival, it is impossible not to mention the seal opening ceremony - a ceremony considered sacred and especially important by the people. The Tran Temple seal opening ceremony is held with the humanistic meaning of praying for the country's peace and prosperity. The Tran Dynasty seal is engraved with the words "Tran Dynasty Classic" and "Tich Phuc Vo Cuong". The four words "Tich Phuc Vo Cuong" on the seal imply teaching descendants, hundreds of families to know how to preserve moral qualities, accumulate good fortune, the thicker the fortune, the more sustainable the blessings. Legend has it that whoever receives the seal from Tran Temple at the beginning of the year will have good luck, career advancement, and family peace. That's why thousands of people waited patiently all night for the chance to receive the sacred seal and take it home as a lucky charm.
Cockfighting – A beautiful folk culture in the traditional festival of Tran Temple. Photo: Nam Dinh Newspaper
In addition, the Tran Temple Festival is also an opportunity for everyone to learn about the precious historical and cultural values of the Tran Dynasty - one of the most brilliant dynasties in Vietnamese history. Stories about the three victories over the Yuan-Mongol army, the spirit of solidarity and determination to protect the country of the Tran Dynasty's army and people are vividly told through artistic performances and historical reenactments. Each person participating in the festival seems to relive the heroic history, proud of the patriotic tradition and indomitable will of the nation.
Not only that, the Tran Temple Festival is also an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the specialties of Nam Dinh, from beef noodle soup to Kenh village rolls. The cuisine at the festival is not only delicious but also contains the culture and traditions of the local people, making the journey to Tran Temple more complete and meaningful.
At the end of the festival, everyone carries with them deep impressions of a cultural space imbued with national identity, where the past and present intertwine, where love for the country is strongly aroused. Tran Temple Festival is an occasion to commemorate and honor the Tran kings, opening a journey to discover heroic cultural and historical values, contributing to preserving and promoting national identity for future generations.
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