Cuong Temple Festival – Sacred and Radiant

Sacred imprints from legend

The legend of Cuong Temple is closely linked to the final chapters of the Au Lac dynasty. According to legend, after being attacked and defeated by the army of Trieu Da at Co Loa citadel due to the loss of the magical crossbow, King An Duong Vuong and his daughter, Princess My Chau, fled south on horseback.

Upon reaching the foot of Mount Mộ Dạ (near present-day Cửa Hiền beach), the enemy pursued relentlessly. The king prayed to the Golden Turtle for protection. The Golden Turtle appeared and declared, "The one sitting behind you is the enemy!" Understanding the situation, the king drew his sword and killed Mỵ Châu, then, holding a pangolin's horn, parted the waters and descended into the deep sea. Later generations, out of sorrow for the virtuous king and understanding his plight, erected a temple on Mount Mộ Dạ to offer incense and prayers for generations to come.

The sacredness of Cuong Temple lies not only in oral traditions but is also reinforced by "unusual" events often recounted by the locals. In 1995, during the Cuong Temple festival, a large crane flew from somewhere and landed on the hand of the loyal king, then perched on the head of the statue of King An Duong Vuong. The crane stayed for many days, creating great reverence and astonishment among visitors from all over. People believed it was a manifestation of the sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers.

Furthermore, legend says that after seeing its master jump into the sea, the king's war elephant also knelt at the foot of the mountain and died, transforming into a large rock. Today, visitors can still see the rock, shaped exactly like an elephant, kneeling on the side of the mountain. Then, on important occasions, large whales (called "Ông" whales by the locals) wash ashore near the temple. The people of the coastal area of ​​the former Diễn Châu district consider this a good omen, believing that the whales are coming to "serve" the King.

Cuong Temple bears the distinctive mark of Nguyen Dynasty architecture, with its massive, ancient triple gate nestled beneath the canopy of old pine trees. The artistic carvings of dragons and phoenixes create a majestic yet serene atmosphere.

Every year, in the second lunar month, the Cuong Temple Festival is celebrated with great fanfare, featuring solemn rituals such as the bathing ceremony, sacrificial rites, and folk games. This is an occasion for people nationwide to connect with their roots, pray for national peace and prosperity, and seek the protection of the king.

A unique cultural and spiritual meeting point.

The Cuong Temple Festival 2026 will take place from March 30th to April 3rd, 2026 (corresponding to the 12th to 16th days of the 2nd lunar month of the Year of the Horse). Currently, the Organizing Committee has assigned specific tasks to each subcommittee. Logistical work is being carried out intensively, from mobilizing laborers for cleaning and washing religious artifacts to installing LED stage screens and modern sound and lighting systems.

In particular, the plan to ensure security, order, and traffic safety on National Highway 1A and the Mo Da mountain area has been closely coordinated by the provincial and commune police, in order to welcome tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country who come to perform the rituals.

Mr. Cao Van Luong, head of the ceremonial team at the Cuong Temple Festival, said: “This year, the ceremonial part retains its solemn spirit and adheres to ancient traditions to honor the merits of Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong. We mobilized 35 dedicated personnel to perform the Opening Ceremony and clean the religious artifacts at all the palaces from the very first day. Regarding personnel, the ceremonial teams and incense offering teams were selected from respected elders and outstanding young people. We meticulously rehearsed everything from posture and gait to incense offering techniques and the tone of the ceremonial address, ensuring both a majestic appearance and the reverence of future generations. All ceremonial items, from cakes and fruits to savory offerings, were strictly checked for hygiene and aesthetics.”

The Cuong Temple Festival officially opens at 8 PM on March 31st (corresponding to the 13th day of the 2nd lunar month) at the main festival grounds. Following the opening ceremony, spiritual rituals and cultural performances will take place. The festival itself promises a vibrant atmosphere with folk art performances, including Ca Tru and Nghe Tinh folk songs, and especially the "Elegant Youth" contest – honoring the beauty and intelligence of the younger generation.

Alongside the cultural and artistic spaces, there are also sports activities, in addition to traditional sports such as men's/women's volleyball, stick pushing, tug-of-war, and card games. This year, for the first time, the Pickleball Tournament has been included in the competition program at the Thanh Trung Kien Sports Complex, adding a fresh and modern touch to the festival.

In addition, folk games and camping activities were also organized. Activities such as sack racing, blindfolded pot smashing, duck catching, and camp activities organized by the Fatherland Front, education, and business sectors will create a strong sense of community connection. A new feature this year is the synchronized participation of organizations such as the Veterans Association and the Youth Union in the processions of the King, Princess, and General Cao Lỗ, creating a solemn atmosphere and showcasing the strength of national unity.

An elderly visitor from Hanoi shared: “Every year, around the second lunar month, my family arranges our schedules to come and pay homage to King An Duong Vuong. For me, Cuong Temple is not only a sacred temple but also a place to educate our children about our national history. Standing before Mo Da Mountain, listening to the legend of the magic crossbow and the tragic sacrifice of the Thuc dynasty king and his court, I always feel deeply moved. This year, the organizing committee's preparations were very thorough; the inner temple area was clean, and the rituals were performed very solemnly, preserving the true spirit of Nghe An culture.”

Mr. Cao Duc Thang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Chau commune, and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, stated that ensuring security, traffic safety, and environmental hygiene is the top priority of the local leadership. The commune has worked with the Provincial Police and directed the commune police to deploy permanent forces at hotspots such as National Highway 1A, the road leading to Mo Da mountain, and the festival grounds; clearly planned parking areas for delegates and tourists (west of National Highway 1A); and committed to strictly managing service prices according to provincial regulations, absolutely preventing price gouging or security breaches.

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With the motto "Festival of the people, performed by the people," the An Chau commune government is committed to creating the most favorable conditions for people to come and worship. We are determined to eliminate superstitious activities, disguised gambling, and begging that affect the sacred image of Cuong Temple.

Mr. Cao Duc Thang - Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Chau Commune

With meticulous preparation and a detailed plan, the 2026 Cuong Temple Festival is not only a place for spiritual worship but also an attractive destination, contributing to the promotion of cultural tourism in An Chau commune in particular and Nghe An province in general.