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As each Tet arrives and spring approaches, when the earth adorns itself with the new garment of time, it marks the beginning of a festive season. In the harmonious weather, amidst the vibrant colors of spring, hearts yearn to reconnect with the primitive yet enduring values. The journey to Nam Dinh during spring will lead travelers to a land where festivals are preserved, cherished, and safeguarded, mirroring the very life of its people.
Tran Temple Festival – a spiritual piece of Nam Thanh land
Time: Night of the 14th, dawn of the 15th – 20th lunar month
Location: Tran Temple, Tran Thua Street, Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City
Tran Temple at this tourist destination is a place of worship for the Tran kings and those who supported the Tran dynasty. It was built on the ruins of an ancient temple that was destroyed in the 15th century. Formerly known as Thien Truong Palace, the area where Tran Temple is constructed was the homeland of the Tran dynasty. According to archaeological evidence, the foundation of this historical site was the Trung Quang Palace (the place where the Supreme Emperor resided) and Trung Hoa Palace (the place where Tran kings came to pay respects), along with other large and small palaces that left traces of a glorious historical era.
Today, in the flow of time and history, the historical site has been restored with three main areas: Thien Truong Temple (Upper Temple) - where the father king is worshiped, honoring fourteen generations of Tran kings and related ancestors; Co Trach Temple (Lower Temple) - traditionally believed to be the former residence of Tran Hung Dao, so the people built a temple to worship him and his family and generals here. Lastly, the newly built Trung Hoa Temple in 2000, where bronze statues of emperors and literary and martial officials are enshrined. Tran Temple - the tourist spot near Hanoi today is a place to express gratitude, admiration, and aspirations for a peaceful society in this sacred land.
Tran Temple Festival is organized at the beginning of the new year, a time when the land and sky transition. In the serene landscape of the country, people often turn towards their roots. It is also an opportunity for spring excursions, festive celebrations, and a traditional folk cultural activity.
The festival commences with a seal-opening ceremony starting from the Rat hour (23:00 – 1:00) on the night of the 14th, welcoming the 15th at this tourist attraction. It's an opportunity to obtain or purchase seals with wishes for success and peace in the new year. After the opening ceremony, precisely at midnight, an elderly person will conduct a ritual. Subsequently, the seal box will be paraded with the majestic sound of bells and drums from Co Trach Temple to Thien Truong Temple. Finally, there will be a ceremony to imprint the seals on golden papers, distributed for people to take home and hang. In the following days, people from all over will return to Tran Temple to offer incense and pay their respects.
Tran Temple Festival, with its sacred and solemn ambiance in the transitional period of the heavens and earth, has become an indispensable part of the soul for those born and raised on this land.
Vie^ng Market – New Year's Market
Time: Night of the 7th, 8th day of the lunar January
Location: Trung Thanh Hamlet, Kim Thai Commune, Vu Ban District, Nam Dinh, and Nam Giang Commune, Nam Truc District, Nam Dinh
Known as the “market of fortune,” Vie^ng Market is an annual event, a unique opportunity that no one wants to miss. Each product traded here is not just an everyday item but also a 'lucky charm' bringing fortune and health to everyone.
Visiting Vie^ng Market, people also embrace a traditional folk cultural aspect - the worship of the Mother Goddess at the historical site of Thanh Mau Lieu Hanh.
As the 'cradle' of the Red River Delta, Vie^ng Market in Nam Dinh is the epitome of an agricultural market with representative products that are both traditional and modern. The market offers a variety of agricultural tools such as hoes, shovels, baskets, plows, clothing, knives, and sickles. It also features traditional products from the region, including Bong Lang fishing nets, Vo Van Tap's products, or Thieu Vinh's mustard greens. Besides production tools, Vie^ng Market is also a place for trading ornamental plants for luck and fortune. In this market, prices and negotiations are not a concern; the only goal is to sell and buy for good fortune.
But perhaps, Vièng Market – this tourist attraction is exceptional for the abundance of beef and veal displayed everywhere, attracting numerous tourists. According to belief, the red color of beef brings good luck for the entire year. Therefore, whether in small or large quantities, those who visit Vièng Market also buy a piece to bring home.
Vièng Market has two sessions, in Vu Ban district, it's the main market known as Vièng Phu, and in Nam Truc district at Chua village, it's called Vièng Chua.
On the land of Nam Dinh, visit Vièng Market to witness the bustling scene of buyers and sellers, lively and hurried, with bright faces in the backdrop of gentle spring rain draping the earth and sky. The lush greenery with vibrant flowers exudes vitality, fully absorbing the enduring cultural values over the ages.
Phủ Dầy Festival – a traditional spiritual community
Time: from the 1st to the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month
Location: Kim Thai Commune, Vu Ban District, Nam Dinh
Phủ Dầy Festival is organized to honor Holy Mother Lieu Hanh, a prominent deity among the Four Immortals in Vietnamese beliefs and traditional Mother Worship.
Phủ Dầy – the tourist spot near Hanoi was once the birthplace of the Holy Mother, the homeland of the ancestors of the Holy Mother. Therefore, the people built a temple to commemorate and still pass down the tradition of 'Father's August Commemoration, Mother's March Commemoration.' This historical complex is surrounded by winding mountain ranges, set in a picturesque landscape with three architectures: Tiên Hương Palace, Vân Cát Palace, and the tomb of Princess Liễu. Among them, Tiên Hương Palace is referred to as the Main Palace. According to tradition, Princess Liễu Hanh contributed to agriculture, helped the poor, healed the sick, opened up riverbank lands, repaired pagodas, and more. Hence, she is revered by the people as the Holy Mother.
Organized over 10 days, with the opening ceremony on the 1st day, the village of Tiên Hương conducts a water procession on the 2nd day. The 3rd day involves offering ritual items such as square sticky rice cakes, pigs, sticky rice, fruits, and wine. The main commemoration at Vân Cát Palace and the procession of the Holy Mother to Dần Pagoda occur on the 4th and 5th days, respectively. On the 6th day, Tiên Hương Palace continues the procession of the Holy Mother to Gôi Pagoda. The solemn procession is held in an atmosphere of reverence and seriousness, evoking the roots. Alongside the ceremony, the shadow puppetry is also a distinctive feature of Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship.
In addition to the ceremony, a grand festival called the 'Pulling Word Festival' (flower baton festival) is organized, involving hundreds of people divided into 4 or 8 teams, each with a flag bearer and a commander. Using flower sticks (sticks wrapped in colored paper), when commanded by the drum, following the orders of the flag bearer, everyone will advance and retreat, then sit down to form a word while the flower sticks lean in the direction of the word's background. The chosen word is carefully selected each year by the elders at this tourist destination.
Some other notable festivals
Keo Hành Thiện Pagoda Festival
Time: March 13 – 16 lunar calendar
Location: Hải Anh Commune, Hải Hậu District, Nam Định
The festival is organized to honor Lord Buddha and the Zen master Không Lộ – adept in healing and poetry, revered as the patriarch of bronze casting and a skilled architect.
La Xuyên Village Festival
Time: March 11 lunar calendar
Location: La Xuyên Village, Yên Ninh Commune, Ý Yên, Nam Định
The festival is held to honor Lão La – the ancestral carpentry master from the Early Lê Dynasty.
Phương Thành Festival
Time: January 5-7 lunar calendar
Location: Phương Định Commune, Trực Ninh District, Nam Định
The festival is organized to honor the ancestors of the weaving craft.
Each festival season brings joy and excitement to every household, not only reflecting the traditional cultural beauty but also an integral part of the spiritual life in this tourist destination.
