Cuong Temple Festival - Returning to Our Roots

(Baonghean) - Every year, in mid-February of the lunar calendar, visitors from all over flock to the Cuong Temple Festival. This is a unique festival, rich in the historical and cultural traditions of the coastal region, an opportunity for people and tourists from all over to return to their roots, respectfully offering incense to commemorate Thuc An Duong Vuong - who made great contributions in uniting the northern tribes of our country to defeat the invading Qin army.

Locals and tourists come to the Cuong Temple Festival (Dien Chau).

The Cuong Temple, dedicated to King An Duong Vuong, is located on Mo Da Mountain, next to National Highway 1A, in Dien An commune (Dien Chau district). The temple is associated with legends and stories passed down through generations in folklore.

According to legend, An Dương Vương, whose real name was Thục Phán, was an 18th-generation descendant of the Hùng kings. He possessed extraordinary strength and strategic intelligence. Thục Phán played a major role in uniting the northern tribes of Vietnam to defeat the invading Qin army. In the triumphal procession, Thục Phán was enthroned as king, taking the title An Dương Vương and renaming the country Âu Lạc. He moved the capital from Phong Châu to Cổ Loa and reigned for 50 years (from 257 - 208 BC).

Sacrifice

...Remembering Cuong Temple means remembering the origins, the glorious historical period of the nation, along with the myths and legends about "the divine manifestation," "Dau Can Mountain," "the chessboard of the immortals," "the oath turned to stone," "the founder of the blacksmithing craft"... these are the sentiments and invaluable lessons for future generations.

In 1995, cranes flew to the temple, coinciding with the opening day of the Cuong Temple festival. During the 1996 festival, a dead whale washed ashore at Cua Hien beach. Locals believed that the returning crane was the embodiment of Princess My Chau, and the dead whale was evidence of the tragic death of King An Duong Vuong. These events further enhanced the mysterious and sacred atmosphere of Cuong Temple, attracting people from near and far to offer incense and pray for national peace and prosperity, and family happiness. Every month, on the 1st and 15th, the people of Dien Chau prepare offerings with sincere devotion to King An Duong Vuong and light incense to tend to the temple.

In particular, the Cuong Temple Festival has become a spiritual activity for the people of Dien Chau, Nghe An, and visitors from all over. Fisherman Nguyen Dinh Trung, from Hamlet 6, Dien Bich Commune, shared: "Every year, my family prepares a feast with seafood to offer to King An Duong Vuong, expressing gratitude and praying for good fortune and peace in the new year, hoping for smooth sailing and a bountiful catch at sea."

Procession at the Cuong Temple Festival.

During the festival days (from the 13th to the 16th of the lunar month), traditional folk games such as throwing the ball, swinging on a swing, wrestling, cockfighting, crossbow shooting, walking on a bridge, chess, and card games will take place around the foot of Mo Da mountain. There will also be cultural exchange activities involving cultural villages, folk singing clubs, and other traditional music genres.

Visiting Cuong Temple, tourists can explore Cua Hien - Xuan Duong Lake - Dien Thanh Beach Tourist Area, Co Am Pagoda - Ho Linh Son - Hai Vai Cliff reflected in the poetic Bung River. Visiting these scenic spots in Dien Chau allows one to better understand the land and its people, a place with over 1,380 years of cultural history, to reflect together and remind each other to preserve, protect, and promote the value of cultural heritage.

Mr. Pham Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Dien Chau District People's Committee and Head of the Organizing Committee for the Cuong Temple Festival, said: “At this point, preparations for the festival have been completed. The structures within the historical site have been promptly maintained by the relevant units; public facilities, restrooms, and the electricity and water systems have all been upgraded; environmental sanitation is ensured; banners and flags are displayed along the road from Xuan Ai communal house to Cuong Temple; and all forces have been mobilized to ensure order, safety, civility, and efficiency.”

Thu Huong