Excited about the opening day of Van Temple - Cua Rao festival

This is not only an opportunity for local people and tourists from near and far to immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, but also an opportunity for the ethnic communities in the Western region of Nghe An to exchange culture and arts, a convergence of history and traditional culture of a special land.

Marking historical roots

Van-Cua Rao Temple is located at the river junction, in Xa Luong commune, where the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers meet, the source of the Lam river. The temple's location belongs to the archaeological site of Doi Den, where scientists have discovered many valuable artifacts (including stone production tools, weapons and bronze drums) identified as belonging to the Phung Nguyen culture, nearly 4,000 years ago.

Van Temple - Cua Rao is a place associated with the career and merit of General Doan Nhu Hai (Tran Dynasty), who fought and sacrificed on this land to protect the border, the land and the lives of the people.

Van-Cua Rao Temple is located at the river junction, in Xa Luong commune, where the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers converge, and is the source of the Lam River. Photo: Dinh Tuan

According to historical documents, around 1335, the Ai Lao invaders from the other side of the border invaded Nam Nhung hamlet, the western border area of ​​Nghe An (including the present-day districts of Ky Son, Tuong Duong and Con Cuong). The people of the border area were in dire straits as their daily lives were threatened, innocent people were robbed and killed. Upon receiving the news, despite his old age, the retired Emperor Tran Minh Tong still decided to personally lead troops into the border area of ​​Nghe An to defeat the invaders, keep the border safe and restore a peaceful life to the people.

Enjoying the Khen dance at the Van Temple - Cua Rao festival. Photo: Cong Kien

Emperor Tran Minh Tong appointed Doan Nhu Hai, who was commanding the Than Vu and Than Sach armies and also held the position of Kinh Luoc Dia Su of Nghe An, as the Governor General. In the Nam Nhung region, the royal soldiers and the Ai Lao rebels fought fiercely, with both sides in a stalemate. In a battle that took place at the river junction in thick fog, obscuring visibility, Governor General Doan Nhu Hai and many royal soldiers were sacrificed. Later, the Tran Dynasty consolidated its forces, completed the expulsion of the Ai Lao rebels from the country, and life returned to peace. At that time, the people of Nam Nhung hamlet built a temple at the river junction where Doan Nhu Hai died in battle to commemorate the merits of the Governor General and the Tran Dynasty soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the peace of life in the border region.

Later, the people brought the spirit tablet of the Three Holy Mothers (one of the Four Immortals according to folk beliefs) to worship at Van - Cua Rao Temple. Whenever there were boats going up and down, passengers often went to the temple to pray for the gods to protect their journey so that it would always be peaceful, overcoming rapids and storms. Meanwhile, the people of Nam Nhung hamlet took care of the incense all year round and held festivals in early spring to remember the merits of their ancestors and educate the younger generations about their homeland's traditions.

Exciting festive season

After 2 years of shortening due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2023 Van Temple - Cua Rao festival will be held at the district level from February 10-12 (ie from January 20-22). ProgramfestivalBesides the solemn rituals, showing respect for the gods, there is also a festival with cultural and artistic exchange activities and exciting folk games.

Some traditional rituals at the Van Temple - Cua Rao festival. Photo: Dinh Tuan

At this year’s festival, in addition to traditional rituals such as the procession of the Doan Nhu Hai and Tam Toa Thanh Mau tablets, the ceremony to pray for national peace, favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and peaceful villages, there will be an additional part of the festival with sports and folk games such as throwing con, swinging, pushing sticks, tug of war, and crossbow shooting. Here, locals and tourists will have interesting experiences about the activities and unique cultural features of the highland residents during the festival at the river junction.

The new feature of the Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival in 2023 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.

Cultural and artistic activities at the festival attracted the participation of a large number of tourists. Photo: Dinh Tuan

In addition, the highlight of the Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival program is the cultural exchange night that attracts thousands of locals and tourists to enjoy and cheer. All units bring unique performances, which are the "crystallization" and convergence of traditional cultural features of ethnic minorities. On this occasion, folk songs and dances of the Thai, Mong and Kho Mu ethnic groups have more opportunities to be performed so that visitors from near and far can better understand the rich cultural values ​​of this remote land. The sound of the panpipes, sometimes low, sometimes high, the sound of the pi, flowing like a spring stream, and the melodious sound of the panpipes and the graceful steps in the dance of the Mong boys make visitors feel more nostalgic and moved...

It can be said that coming to the Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival is coming back to the historical roots of our ancestors' struggle to build and defend the country; coming back to a beautiful countryside with friendly people to have peaceful, exciting and enthusiastic moments, dispelling the worries and hustle and bustle of everyday life.

After 2 years of reducing the scale and not organizing the festival, this year's Van Temple - Cua Rao festival takes place at the district level, promising to bring much joy and excitement to the people and tourists from all over. The festival is a place to express the solidarity of ethnic minorities, and is also an opportunity to preserve cultural identity, promote the potential and strengths of the locality, and contribute to the cause of socio-economic development.

Mr. Lo Thanh Nhat - Vice Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee