Compilation of Famous Spring Festivals in Ha Nam

With the advent of spring, the entire length of the country is bustling with the festive atmosphere. It is not only a spiritual feast but also a place to preserve the traditional beauty and unique cultural identity of each region.

Ha Nam is no exception. When visiting Ha Nam in the early spring, tourists not only get to admire the breathtaking natural scenery but also immerse themselves in the lively and distinctive festival atmosphere. Among them, three major festivals at the beginning of the year stand out, attracting a large number of visitors: Tich Dien Doi Son Festival (in Tien Son commune, Duy Tien town); Tam Chuc Pagoda Festival (in Ba Sao town, Kim Bang district); and the Phat Luong Duc Thanh Tran Festival at Tran Thuong Temple (in Tran Hung Dao commune, Ly Nhan district).
 

As one of the festivals bearing the cultural essence of the agricultural civilization in the Northern Delta, the Tich Dien Doi Son Festival takes place from the 5th to the 7th day of the lunar New Year. The festival expresses gratitude to the ancestors for their pioneering efforts in reclaiming and expanding cultivated fields, emphasizing the belief that agriculture is fundamental and serves as the stable foundation for the country and society.
 

Alongside the spiritual ceremonies such as the Announcement Ceremony, the Water Procession to the Dan Te altar, the Pure Sacrifice Ceremony, the Prayer for Peace Ceremony, the Procession of King Lê Đại Hành's Palanquin, the Thành Hoàng Palanquin, and the Ancestral Craftsmen's Palanquin, the central ritual of the entire festival is the Tịch Điền ceremony, reenacting the legendary event from the time of the Ten Excellent Warriors led by General Le Hoan (King Le Dai Hanh), who descended to the fields to plow at the foot of Doi Mountain over a thousand years ago.
 

The space of the Tich Dien Festival also encompasses various cultural and artistic activities, as well as traditional games. In addition to the ceremonial part, the festival is lively with numerous activities such as sports competitions, exhibition booths showcasing agricultural and handicraft products typical of the town and the province, a exhibition of ornamental animals in the town, drawing and buffalo decoration competitions, traditional games like swinging, blindfolded goat catching, monkey bridge crossing, blindfolded pot smashing, ball games, sticky rice cake making competition among the Doi Tam village clans, tug - of - war competitions between villages in the commune, cultural performances, and fireworks.
 

Following that, one cannot overlook the Phat Luong Duc Thanh Tran Festival at Tran Thuong Temple. The festival aims to reenact the historical event of the "Distribution of Royal Grain" when the Tran dynasty's army defeated the Mongol invaders for the third time in 1288. This serves as a gesture of gratitude and remembrance for the significant contributions of the national hero, Grand Duke Tiet Che Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. Simultaneously, it promotes the education of patriotic traditions against foreign invaders, encouraging the people to enter the new year with enthusiasm for work, study, and service to the nation.
 

The Phat Luong Ceremony is organized at midnight on the 14th day and early morning on the 15th day of the lunar New Year at the main temple. The ceremony procession is meticulously conducted in several parts: the procession of grains from the grain storage into the temple for the ceremony, the lighting of candles and the offering of incense by delegates and the public, the procession of grains for the ritual inside the inner sanctum, and the "distribution of royal grain" ceremony for the local people and international visitors attending the festival. Each bag of grains contains not only seals and tags but also various types of cereals representing the agricultural products of the Nhan Dao region, including glutinous rice with yellow flowers, soybeans, red corn, etc. These symbolize the wish for a year of favorable weather, harmony, attracting the cosmic energy, and prosperity for every household.
 

The Tam Chuc Pagoda Festival is held on the 12th day of the lunar New Year. The festival includes solemn rituals such as offering incense to pray for national prosperity and people's well - being, as well as the water procession, among others. Additionally, the festival features diverse cultural and artistic activities such as singing and dancing performances, a Spring Fireworks program, attracting numerous Buddhist monks and followers from near and far to participate in the rituals.
 

In addition to the three aforementioned renowned traditional festivals, Ha Nam also hosts various other festivals at the beginning of the lunar New Year, including the Truc Pagoda - Ngu Dong Thi Son Festival (from January 6th to February 10th), the Lieu Doi Martial Arts Festival (from January 5th to 10th), the Yen Trach Horse Racing Festival in Bac Ly, Ly Nhan (from January 24th to 25th), and the Gua Bridge Raiding Festival in Lang Gua, Liem Thuan, Thanh Liem (on January 4th).

These spring festivals in Ha Nam showcase the distinctive cultural activities of the community, embodying not only religious significance but also a reverence for ancestors, the concept of "remembering one's roots," and a tribute to the contributions of heroes and scholars in building and defending the homeland. They pay homage to the forefathers who played a significant role in reclaiming land, establishing communities, and passing down traditions, contributing to a warm and happy life for the people.

To immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and ensure a safe and smooth Lunar New Year journey, consider choosing Tien Loc Palace Hotel. This 3 - star hotel provides over 200 modern rooms and quality services, offering an ideal resting place after a day of exploration. For room reservations, please contact the hotline at 02263 82 5555! 
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