Thousands of people and tourists from all over the country come to the opening ceremony of Van Temple - Cua Rao

Attending the opening ceremony were representatives of provincial departments, branches and sectors; localities twinned with Tuong Duong district; district leaders, departments and sectors, local people and tourists from near and far.

An art performance at the opening ceremony. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Van - Cua Rao Temple is located at the Cua Rao junction, the confluence of the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers, in Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong). The festival is held at the beginning of the year to commemorate the merits of Doan Nhu Hai - a Tran Dynasty general who fought against the Ai Lao invaders and kept the border peaceful. In a fierce battle near the river junction in 1335, he and many soldiers bravely commanded, fought and heroically sacrificed themselves.

To commemorate the merits of General Doan Nhu Hai and the Tran Dynasty soldiers, the people built a temple in Cua Rao area to take care of the incense and send their spiritual messages. Later, Van - Cua Rao temple also worshiped the Three Holy Mothers, which was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a Historical - Cultural Relic in 2009.

Delegates and many local people and tourists attended the festival. Photo: Dinh Tuan

After 2 years of shortening due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2023 Van - Cua Rao Temple Festival will be held at the district level from February 10-12 (ie from January 20-22). At this year's festival, in addition to solemn traditional rituals, showing respect for the gods such as the procession of the Doan Nhu Hai and Tam Toa Thanh Mau tablets, the ceremony to pray for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, bountiful crops, and peaceful villages.

Comrade Dinh Hong Vinh - Deputy Secretary, Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee delivered the opening speech of the festival. Photo: Dinh Tuan

The festival took place enthusiastically with cultural and artistic exchange activities, sports, and folk games imbued with regional cultural identity (throwing con, swinging, pushing sticks, tug of war, crossbow shooting...).

Comrade Nguyen Van Hai - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Tuong Duong district beat the drum to open the festival. Photo: D.C.

New features of the FestivalVan Temple - Cua RaoIn 2023, it is to organize booths to display, introduce, promote and sell products and products produced by local people. Food booths, with local specialties, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the typical flavors of the mountains and forests of Western Nghe An.

Procession at the opening ceremony of Van Temple - Cua Rao. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Coming to Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival is an opportunity for people and tourists from all over to express their spirituality and wishes at the beginning of the year and to have fun, experience cultural and sports activities, and prepare mentally for a new working year.

Locals and tourists burn incense at the Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Tuong Duong district leaders conduct the ceremony. Photo: D.C.

Previously,Since last night, thousands of tourists have flocked to Van Temple to burn incense, enjoy traditional dishes imbued with the highland identity and special performances. Ms. Vi Thi May - a food seller here said: Never before have I seen so many tourists coming like this year. On the first day of opening, many dishes such as grilled chicken, grilled meat, and bamboo rice have been "sold out".

The festival takes place from February 10 to February 12. Photo: DT

By evening, crowds of people jostled each other to get in and watch the performances. As the night wore on, the number of people coming and going to the temple increased, causing traffic jams at many points such as the two ends of the suspension bridge and the performance grounds. At the two ends of the Van temple bridge, traffic jams occurred from around 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Due to the limited capacity of the bridge, the authorities here requested small groups to cross the bridge to ensure safety. However, the number of people at both ends of the bridge was so dense and jostled that the authorities had a hard time regulating traffic.

“I come to Van Temple almost every year, but this is the first time I have encountered a situation like this. I had to carry my baby to avoid getting lost, and I had to squeeze into the temple, but it has been 3 hours and I still haven’t been able to get there,” said Vi Van Tuan, a tourist from Nga My commune.

Crowds of people jostling to see the performance. Photo: DT

Many elderly people and children, after more than 2 hours, could not squeeze into the crowd leaving Van Temple and had to accept sitting under a tree at the temple to wait. According to records, until 11pm, many people still had to linger by the bushes at the foot of the bridge to find a chance to go to the temple.