New features that you cannot miss when participating in the Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival 2018

There are 6 symbolic houses built in the grounds of Van Temple - Cua Rao. Photo: Ho Phuong

The 2018 Van - Cua Rao Temple Festival will take place over 3 days, from March 7-9 (ie January 20, 21, 22 of the lunar calendar). The ceremony part of the festival will remain the same as previous years, but the festival part will have many significant changes. And especially with the investment of Tuong Duong district, the temple festival at this river junction will bring new and interesting things to visitors from near and far.

Procession in the Van Temple - Cua Rao Festival 2016. Photo: Ho Phuong

In 2018, the Van Temple will not organize camping like previous years. Instead, the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district will build 6 houses symbolizing 6 ethnic groups living in the area: Kinh, Mong, Thai, Kho Mu, O Du and Tay Poong. In these 6 symbolic houses, the organizers will display typical items of each ethnic group. In addition, during the festival days, young men and women wearing ethnic costumes will be arranged to welcome and guide tourists to visit and worship.

Thai girls in traditional costumes introduce and guide tourists when they come to visit and worship at Van Temple. Photo: Dinh Tuan

The temple festival also has the convergence of indigenous folk artists participating in performance activities, expressing the unique folk melodies of ethnic communities. Folk games such asmahogany fightingof the Mong people,quick dressof the Thai people… is organized on a large scale.

The festival grounds at Van Temple - Cua Rao have been expanded compared to previous years. In the photo is the 2016 Van Temple Festival. Photo: Dinh Tuan

This year, sports and folk games such as throwing con, shooting crossbows, walking on stilts, etc. will still be held. However, the Organizing Committee will not organize competitions between communes but will organize them for people and tourists from near and far to participate in. At the same time, a part of the fund will be used as a reward for those who achieve good results in the games at the festival. This year's festival will also not organize a beauty contest like previous years.

Tools for work and daily life are arranged in a simulated house at the Van - Cua Rao Temple Festival in 2018. Photo: Ho Phuong

In addition, with the participation of Tuong Duong district, the works at Van Temple - Cua Rao have been newly invested, bringing a more ancient beauty. In addition, the tourist entertainment area has also been expanded much more than in previous years.

The Van Temple complex has also been upgraded and renovated since early 2017 to prepare for a new festival season. Photo: Dinh Tuan