Highlights of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival

Magnificent and impressive in scale; rich and profound with many activities in the ceremonial part, vibrant in the festival part… as scheduled, the Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival continues to be one of the largest festivals in the Northern Delta region.

Military festival on Luc Dau river

Con Son-Kiep Bac relic site (Chi Linh town, Hai Duong province) is a special national relic complex. This place is closely associated with the life and career of National Hero Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan; National Hero, World Cultural Celebrity Nguyen Trai; is the birthplace of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism during the Tran Dynasty; the place of practice and death of Zen Master Huyen Quang - the third patriarch of Truc Lam Zen.

Taking place from the 15th to the 20th of the 8th lunar month every year, after many centuries of existence and development, Con Son-Kiep Bac Festival has become an indispensable traditional festival in the spiritual life of the nation.

This year, for the first time in many years, the festival solemnly commemorates the 572nd anniversary of Nguyen Trai's death, worthy of his great contributions to the nation's history.

After the Announcement Ceremony (requesting permission to open the festival) taking place on the 10th day of the 8th lunar month (September 3), the Arhat statue casting ceremony at Con Son Pagoda took place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, opening the activities of the 2014 Autumn Festival.

The festival program was followed by the Seal Opening Ceremony - a traditional ritual at Kiep Bac Temple, taking place on the night of the 16th day of the 8th lunar month. According to ancient custom, before the death anniversary of the Saint, the local government and the temple elders performed a ceremony to stamp the seal on a piece of yellow silk, then asked for his permission, and then distributed it to visitors from all directions.

One of the highlights of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Festival is the military festival on Luc Dau River. This is a parade, a display of powerful forces, a reflection of the ancient military campaign, reviving the East Asian spirit and the tradition of defending the country of the Vietnamese people, honoring the glorious feat of Hung Dao Dai Vuong in the resistance war against the Mongols.

Closing the 2014 Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival program is the death anniversary of Saint Tran, held on the morning of the 20th day of the 8th lunar month at Mam Xoi Mountain and Kiep Bac Temple. The ceremony was performed by monks according to traditional regulations, attracting tens of thousands of participants.

The Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival is expected by Hai Duong to be a key highlight to attract spiritual tourists, thereby increasing the attraction and promotion of other unique destinations of Hai Duong.

To attract a large number of domestic and international tourists to the Con Son-Kiep Bac Autumn Festival this year, the Tourism Information and Promotion Center in coordination with the Monument Management Board and service businesses in Chi Linh town have developed a stimulus program, incentives, and discounts for travel businesses.

Specifically, entrance fees to historical sites and scenic spots are reduced by 10% compared to the listed price; room rates for tourists are reduced by 5-30% compared to the listed price; free explanations are organized for groups visiting historical sites and scenic spots.

In addition, travel agencies and tourists will be guided and provided with other necessary information when needed.

According to Chinhphu.vn