Come to the Spring Festival

Bach Ma - the "third sacred mountain" of Nghe An province.

Every year on the 9th and 10th of the 2nd lunar month, Thanh Chuong district organizes the Bach Ma Temple Festival to commemorate the contributions of General Phan Da, who played a major role in the resistance against the Ming invaders in the 15th century.

This year's festival will be organized in a solemn and respectful manner, ensuring both cultural and spiritual elements while also being rich in celebratory activities, aiming to attract a large number of visitors. The ceremonial part includes: the opening ceremony, the announcement ceremony, the procession of the deity, the grand sacrifice ceremony, and the thanksgiving ceremony. Regarding the celebratory part, this year, the Organizing Committee plans to direct communes and towns in the district to participate in the mass cultural performance program; coordinate with the District Youth Union to organize open football, volleyball, and badminton tournaments; and hold a festival beauty contest...

In addition, local people are encouraged to participate in folk games such as wrestling, tug-of-war, boat racing, cockfighting, etc. Mr. Tran Duy Hung, Director of the Thanh Chuong District Cultural, Information and Sports Center, said: "To ensure the festival takes place safely, seriously, economically and practically, the Organizing Committee coordinates with the district police, volunteer youth teams to protect security, order and traffic safety during the festival; establishes a food safety inspection team to inspect food and beverage businesses serving tourists... Strictly implement the festival regulations, resolutely preventing any distortions such as disguised gambling games, indiscriminate burning of votive paper, superstitious activities..."

To prepare for this year's festival, the District People's Committee has called upon collectives, individuals, and people from the homeland working far from home to donate over 900 million VND to restore and renovate the historical site. In the near future, they will upgrade the road leading to the temple, build a protective wall, lay tiles, complete the kitchen (a waiting area for visitors to rest), and purchase additional ceremonial items...

The Bach Ma Temple Festival will be an ideal destination for tourists at the beginning of spring, a place for everyone to come and pay respects, express their reverence and gratitude to the ancestors who contributed to protecting and building the country.

Legend of Muong Ham

The Muong Ham Festival is the earliest traditional cultural festival of the Thai ethnic group, recently restored in the spring of 2006, and is held from the 5th to the 7th of the second lunar month in Chau Cuong commune, Quy Hop district.

This is also the biggest festival in the mountainous district of Quỳ Hợp, associated with legendary stories and mythical figures such as Tạo Khủn Tướng, Tạo Khủn Tinh, Nàng Nang Ni, Nàng Et Khay, and the historical figure Tạo Nọi – who helped the people fight off invaders, reclaim barren forest land, and establish the vast Mường Ham, now encompassing the communes of Châu Cường, Châu Hồng, Châu Thái, Châu Sơn, and Châu Quang in Quỳ Hợp district. This is a branch temple of the Nine-Chamber Temple in Quế Phong district. Therefore, not only the Thái people in Quỳ Hợp but also those from neighboring areas such as Quỳ Châu and Quế Phong come to celebrate the festival.

To prepare for the Muong Ham Festival, from the 1st to the 15th of the 12th lunar month, the communes meticulously carried out organizational preparations, such as setting up camps and preparing cultural performances, so that the festival could be held proactively on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year. On the 5th and 6th days of the Lunar New Year, after the opening ceremony, setting up the camps, performing the traditional rituals of "khay tu khay con," drinking rice wine, enjoying folk music and dance, and playing games, visitors can explore Pun Pang Cave and Nang Ni Fairy Cave. On the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, the opening ceremony is held, judging the entries and announcing the awards. After the closing ceremony, the "Pilgrimage to Muong Noi" week begins, lasting until the 16th day of the 1st lunar month. Throughout this week, the local authorities (Chau Cuong commune) will organize the reception and guidance of people from other places to visit Muong Noi and offer incense at the Tao Noi temple.

Thanh Phuc - Gia Huy