Exploring the Essence: Tràng An Festival in Ninh Binh

In addition to the grand New Year's ceremony at Bai Dinh Pagoda, the ancient capital Ninh Binh boasts a unique tradition—the Tràng An Festival, celebrated on a magnificent scale right at the Tràng An Eco-tourism Complex.

Tràng An Festival (also known as the Holy Quy Minh Festival) is a unique traditional festival in Ninh Binh province, celebrated on the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month annually (April 14, 2017 in the Gregorian calendar) to commemorate the merits of Holy Quy Minh Dai Vuong, also known as God Quy Minh.

Legend has it that he was a general under the 18th Hung King, with achievements in defending Son Nam stronghold and safeguarding the nation's borders, contributing to the prosperity and happiness of the people. To honor his contributions, Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang conferred upon him the title of a deity guarding the southern gate of the ancient capital Hoa Lu (Hoa Lu Quadrangle).

In addition to God Quy Minh, the Hoa Lu Quadrangle is also guarded by deities in the east, west, and north—namely, God Thien Ton, God Cao Son, and God Giant. Tràng An Festival is considered a significant religious practice in the land of Ninh Binh—the birthplace of Kings, Saints, and Deities.

Every year on the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month, the Tràng An Festival is celebrated on a grand scale along the tourist route of Hành Cung Vũ Lâm within the Tràng An Eco-tourism Complex in Ninh Binh. The procession passes through Tran Temple and Fairy Stream Temple. Visitors to the festival immerse themselves in a unique spiritual atmosphere with various exciting activities:

Spiritual ceremonies at Tran Temple, Tràng An Festival (Photo: ST)

For the Tràng An Festival in Ninh Binh, the ritual of offering and procession of sacred spirits begins with the offering of incense, the procession of palanquins, and the procession of candlelight from Tran Temple to Fairy Stream Temple. Subsequently, there is a water procession and incense offering at Fairy Stream Temple.

In addition to traditional rituals, the Tràng An Festival captivates visitors with splendid boat parades and vibrant dragon dances on the river, showcasing a unique cultural richness rarely found elsewhere.

At the Tràng An Festival in Ninh Binh, immerse yourself in the folk music culture with performances like gong dancing, cheo singing, and xam singing. This grand festival, receiving special attention from the state, brings together numerous artists with performances rich in ethnic flavors.

Tràng An Festival is organized along the Hành Cung Vũ Lâm tourist route, situated in the southern part of the scenic Tràng An complex. This area showcases the typical beauty of Tràng An, especially the harmonious landscape of mountains, rivers, and lakes. Besides, Hành Cung Vũ Lâm boasts numerous historical relics and a system of temples dating back to the Tran dynasty, creating a unique natural and spiritual space.

The annual schedule of Tràng An Festival is as follows:

– Before 9 a.m.: Thousands of boats gather at Tam Quan pier for preparations, featuring water processions, rituals, and releasing of life on the river, praying for a peaceful and prosperous life.

– At 9 a.m.: The traditional festival of Holy Quy Minh Dai Vuong (Tràng An Festival) commences. After the opening drum ceremony on the shore and a drum performance on boats, a procession of over 100 people carrying palanquins and escorting the offering for Holy Quy Minh Dai Vuong, along with thousands of tourists on about 1000 boats, begins to move.

– The procession starts from the Mương ferry pier, passing through 11 caves along the Sao Khe River. After an hour-long parade, the procession splits into two parts: one continues on the river, and the other, traversing 3 mountains (3km), advances towards the Nội Lâm Temple.

– The river procession halts at the Tran Temple ferry pier and proceeds to climb the mountain to reach the sacred area of Tran Tràng An Temple. This temple is renowned for its four stone pillars carved with mythical creatures (dragon, unicorn, tortoise, phoenix) from the Tran dynasty, creating a stunning sight.

– In the evening of the same day, the Ritual of Inviting Deities into Statues takes place at the Fairy Stream Temple, a significant spiritual activity of Tràng An Festival in Ninh Binh rooted in Buddhist traditions.

For a worry-free experience at Tràng An Festival, you can check out a list of budget-friendly hotels in Ninh Binh in advance, guarding against potential price hikes during these days.