Experience the riverine culture at the Thanh Liet Temple Festival.
On the afternoon of March 5th, the Thanh Liet Temple Festival (Xuan Lam commune, Hung Nguyen district) officially opened with ancient traditional rituals, reflecting the unique national identity and culture of the riverine inhabitants of Hung Nguyen district in particular.
The event was attended by representatives from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as well as leaders, officials, and a large number of people from Hung Nguyen district.
The Thanh Liet Temple Festival originated during the late Le Dynasty and continues to this day. The festival is held in early spring, specifically in the first few days of the second lunar month, with many solemn, sacred, and unique rituals. In 2018, this festival was inscribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
The Thanh Liet Temple Festival in 2025 will be held over two days (March 4th and 5th), corresponding to the 5th and 6th days of the 2nd lunar month of the Year of the Snake. Before the opening ceremony and the grand sacrificial ceremony, on March 4th, the festival organizing committee and the people held traditional sacrificial rituals, including the bathing of the deity, the announcement ceremony, the boat parade, and the display of dragon boats at Thanh Liet Temple.
In particular, the Clam Procession Ceremony is held on the morning of March 5th, featuring the procession of the royal palanquin, dragon boats, and ceremonial objects from Thanh Liet Temple onto the boats, which are then transported along the Lam River and anchored at the confluence of the Lam River (Nghe An) and La River (Ha Tinh) for a ritual offering to the gods, praying for favorable weather, abundant aquatic life, and successful fishing for the fishermen.
On the afternoon of March 5th, the Thanh Liet Temple Festival officially opened with a grand ceremony following ancient traditions, followed by the offering of flowers and incense to the deities who contributed to fighting invaders, saving the country, and protecting and helping the people to prosper on the waterways, such as Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, Nguyen Bieu, and benevolent deities like Mau Lieu Hanh, Long Vuong, Ha Ba, Thuy Tinh Phu Nhan, Ngu Vi Hoang Vuong, Dao Hoa Cong Chua, Son Lieu Doc Cuoc, Ban Tho Tich Phuc Thuy Huu…
Following the grand ceremony, flower and incense offerings, and the opening of the festival, the Organizing Committee will also hold a thanksgiving ceremony and closing ceremony this afternoon; and award prizes for the men's volleyball, women's volleyball, and tug-of-war competitions.
The Thanh Liet Temple Festival is organized to strengthen, preserve, and promote the traditional cultural values of the nation; at the same time, it aims to propagate and educate patriotism, love for the homeland, national pride, and the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source" among all segments of the population.
Through the activities at the festival, we aim to create a healthy and enriching cultural space, providing opportunities for people to connect, expand their relationships, cooperate, learn, and strengthen the spirit of solidarity and unity among all segments of the population, towards the common goal of building a developed homeland and country, where every family is prosperous and happy.
The festival also serves as an opportunity to promote the beautiful image of Hung Nguyen, a land and people rich in cultural and revolutionary traditions, with many historical sites and scenic spots, thereby attracting investment and developing local tourism.
