Tighten security at festivals.

(Baonghean) - In the early days of Spring, dozens of large and small festivals are held throughout the province, attracting thousands of local people as well as tourists from within and outside the province, and international visitors, to come and offer incense. Therefore, ensuring security and order, and helping people enjoy the spring festivities safely and economically, requires the efforts and determination of local authorities, agencies, and departments, including the security forces protecting the festivals...

This year, to ensure and tighten security and order at the Cờn Temple Festival, the Organizing Committee has established a security subcommittee comprising the Hoang Mai Town Police, the Quynh Phuong Ward Police, and the Quynh Phuong Border Guard Post. These forces are tasked with implementing security and order plans, inspecting and addressing issues related to encroachment by stalls and vehicles, cultural and food services, and pricing of goods, ensuring the festival proceeds safely.

Ensuring security and order during the opening night of the Cờn Temple Festival.

Although there were many tourists and locals visiting and offering incense at Cờn Temple this year, there was no pushing or shoving. Everyone entered the temple following the guidance and reminders of the security guards and police, resulting in an orderly and solemn atmosphere. Gambling, fortune-telling, soliciting tourists, and selling pirated books were eliminated. Notably, this year, pilgrims were no longer harassed by beggars. Lieutenant Colonel Dương Phúc Định, Head of Quỳnh Phương Ward Police, said: “To ensure that people and tourists can enjoy themselves and visit Cờn Temple safely, we have developed a plan and assigned and deployed security forces at many points. We absolutely prevented gambling, superstition, soliciting tourists, and significantly reduced begging.”

Amidst the lively and bustling atmosphere of the festival, while many people happily strolled hand in hand, enjoying the sights, the police, border guards, and militia silently carried out their duties. They stood in the cold and rain, their eyes constantly observing, ready to assist and guide visitors when needed. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thoa, a resident of Quynh Hong commune, Quynh Luu district, who came to offer incense at Corn Temple, said: “With such a large crowd at the festival, we were worried about being pickpocketed, jostled, and harassed like in some other places. But today, offering incense at Corn Temple, we feel very safe because there is no pushing or harassment like before. Especially, gambling, superstition, pickpocketing, and robbery are no longer happening.”

To better manage the trading activities around the Cờn Temple Festival, the organizing committee has allocated stalls to each household, preventing the conflicts and aggressive sales tactics seen in previous years. The stalls are neatly and orderly arranged, and security personnel are constantly on duty, patrolling and reminding vendors and visitors not to litter. Ms. Vũ Thị Cẩn, a vendor selling fruits and vegetables in the Cờn Temple area, shared: “In previous years, everyone did as they pleased, without clear divisions, leading to unpleasant arguments and disputes. This year, things have been rectified, ensuring the sacred place remains solemn and peaceful.”

As one of the ancient and unique festivals in western Nghe An province, the Hang Bua Festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over to visit and admire the scenery. Therefore, security and order are also quite complex. To prepare for the festival, from the beginning of the year, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district planned, directed, and assigned tasks to various departments and agencies to ensure the festival was well-organized. Joining the crowds attending the festival, we felt the lively and joyful atmosphere reflected in the faces and smiles of the locals and tourists. Mr. Vi Van Tien, Vice Chairman of the Quy Chau District People's Committee, happily stated: "Although the locality organizes the festival every year, so we have some experience, we are not complacent or rigid in our approach. From the beginning of spring, we have directed all units, departments, and agencies to carry out the assigned tasks. Overall, this year's Hang Bua Festival was extremely safe, successful, and magnificent, yet economical, in keeping with the traditional customs and values ​​of our nation."

For the past few days, crowds have flocked to Bua Cave in huge numbers, but thanks to the guidance and organization of security forces and traffic police, there has been no congestion or overcrowding. Nguyen Van Hoa, a tourist from Vinh City, happily said: “This year, the scale and atmosphere of the festival are grander and more joyful than in previous years. Security forces and police officers are stationed in many places, so we feel very safe and can enjoy ourselves.”

The Cuong Temple, dedicated to Thuc An Duong Vuong, is located on Mo Da Mountain in Dien An commune, Dien Chau district. Every year on the 15th day of the second lunar month, local people and visitors from all over flock to the temple to celebrate the spring festival, offering incense and flowers to pray for good fortune. For many years, the Dien Chau District People's Committee has strived to successfully organize the festival, fulfilling the unique traditional cultural and religious needs of the people. This year, although the Cuong Temple Festival is still more than two weeks away, the Dien Chau District People's Committee has directed its departments to plan and prepare all aspects of the festival to the best of their ability.

Mr. Vo Sy Tai, Head of the Culture Department of Dien Chau District, said: “The Cuong Temple Festival is always bustling and crowded, attracting tens of thousands of local people as well as tourists from all over. Therefore, to have a grand, safe, and economical festival, we have planned and assigned specific tasks to each relevant unit. To ensure security and order, and to combat gambling, theft, and fortune-telling, the Dien Chau District People's Committee has assigned tasks to the district and commune police, the District Military Command, and the Dien Thanh Border Guard Post to participate. With such thorough planning and good preparation, this year's Cuong Temple Festival will certainly be very successful and safe.”

Each festival season leaves a lasting impression and deep appreciation in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. These festivals are rich in national identity, grand, and meticulously planned, yet remarkably economical and in keeping with the local customs and traditions. The success and safety of these festivals are not only due to the close guidance of provincial leaders, but also to the efforts and enthusiasm of local authorities, including security forces. Furthermore, the good conduct and compliance of locals and visitors during these festivals is also commendable.

Text and photos:Triều Dương