Top 10 Most Remarkable Festivals in Thai Binh

The La Van Temple Festival takes place in La Van village, which was once called La Mien, part of Quynh Ngoc district. The village consists of two hamlets: Don Xa and Thuong. In 1841, during the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri, the village was renamed La Van to avoid using the emperor's taboo name. Today, La Van is part of Quynh Hong commune, Quynh Phu district, Thai Binh province. The festival is held annually from the 20th to the 26th of the third lunar month.

Historically, La Van was known for the traditional craft of making floating rafts for mulberry flowers before the 1970s. The festival honors the legacy of Nguyen Minh Khong, a national priest of the Ly dynasty. Although the festival is linked to the worship of local deities and not directly related to the life of the village's patron saint, it still carries great cultural significance. The main deity worshipped is Vu Thi Ngoc Tan, a local noblewoman who became a princess in the court of the West Capital King Trinh Tac. She is credited with donating land to the village for the construction of the temple, which is now a key religious site.

The La Van Festival is celebrated over six days, with rituals taking place in the mornings, and lively performances in the afternoons. The festival includes unique folk performances like the "pulling letters" dance, which is both a game and a sport, symbolizing military victories. The dance is also a form of community education, encouraging teamwork, agility, and dexterity. Other traditional activities include wrestling, chess, and firecracker displays, all part of a vibrant celebration of the harvest season. The festival's spirit is rooted in agricultural traditions, expressing hopes for a year of good weather, prosperity, and harmony. Ultimately, the La Van Temple Festival serves as a cultural glue, bringing the community together and reinforcing the values of unity and resilience for the year ahead.

As a long-standing tradition, the Dong Bang Temple Festival is held annually on the 20th of August (lunar calendar) at Dong Bang Temple in An Le Commune, Quynh Phu District. The temple is dedicated to King Bat Hai Dong Dinh, a revered deity who played a key role in protecting the country and establishing settlements in ancient times.

The temple holds the royal title of "Tam Ky Linh Ung Vinh Cong Dai Vuong Thuong Dang Than" (granted during the reign of the 18th Hung King). During the Early Le Dynasty, the temple was expanded, consisting of five halls and four altars dedicated to the spirits of Dong Bang, and was later included in the list of “Four Famous Landscapes.” Since the late 13th century, the temple also honors Hung Dao King Tran Quoc Tuan and other national heroes who led the victories against the Mongol invasions, establishing the ancient Dao Dong region.

The festival lasts from the 20th to the 26th of August. The Dong Bang Temple Festival is one of the largest in the region, attracting a gathering of mediums and fortune tellers from all over. On the 20th, the grand rituals are held in the temple, with the busiest activities occurring during the “four holy” rituals. On the 21st, a procession is held, where the spirits' tablets are taken to the river for a ceremonial boat race. The procession is marked by solemnity and reverence, with offerings made as the rituals begin. On the 22nd, the boat races continue, and the festivities stretch until the 25th, when the village holds a ceremony to award prizes to the winning teams.

Aside from the famous boat race, the festival also features other traditional activities such as lion dances, opera performances, wrestling, and chess competitions, attracting large crowds of locals and visitors alike. The festival concludes on the 26th with a final procession, where the tablets of the King and other deities are returned to the temple. The event ends on a joyful note, with the community looking forward to a prosperous year ahead.

Dong Xam Village, also known as Duong Tham, is located in the former district of Chan Dinh, now part of Hong Thai Commune, Kien Xuong, Thai Binh. Some historians believe that the land of Dong Xam has a history of over 2000 years. In ancient times, it was a small island called Vong Island, and today, the remnants of this name can still be found in the Vong Market and Vong River.

The village of Dong Xam holds a special place in history, with legends surrounding the Dong Xam Temple. In addition to its agricultural heritage, the village is renowned for its silver engraving craft, which has been passed down through generations. In the second year of Emperor Thuan Thien’s reign (1429), a silver engraver named Nguyen Kim Lau came to settle in the area along the Tra Ly River, introducing his craft to the locals. The tradition has since flourished and continues to this day. To honor Nguyen Kim Lau, the local silver artisans built a temple dedicated to him in the Thượng Gia area of Dong Xam, where his bronze statue can still be found.

The artisans of Dong Xam are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, creating silver items that showcase both skill and creativity, such as silver incense holders, seasonal paintings, and the famous “Four Seasons” series. Dong Xam silverware is highly regarded for its elegant design, fine engraving, and intricate detailing, meeting the demands of even the most discerning customers. The silver craft of Dong Xam reached its peak during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and its products were exported to countries such as the UK, France, Belgium, China, Korea, Thailand, and Laos.

The Dong Xam Temple, which has undergone several renovations since its construction in 1938, is a grand and expansive complex. The temple honors figures such as Emperor Trieu Vu, Queen Trinh Thi, and Nguyen Kim Lau. The temple, set along the Vong River, is home to several stunning architectural features, including the Vong Lau, Shui Toa, Hoanh Ma, Ceremony Square, and the main prayer hall. It covers nearly 10,000 square meters and is considered one of the most impressive temple complexes in the region.

For centuries, the Dong Xam community has celebrated the festival at the end of March and the beginning of April (now held on the first three days of April). The Dong Xam Festival attracts visitors from all over due to its rich cultural heritage and the lively folk games and performances. The festival is particularly significant for the silver craftsmen, who gather to pay tribute to their founder, Nguyen Kim Lau, and present their best works at the temple.

Tien La Temple is dedicated to the renowned general, Bat Nan (Eight Calamities) General, Vu Thi Thuc (born in 17 AD, passed away in 43 AD), a female general who served under the Two Trung Sisters and played a key role in defeating the Chinese general, To Dinh. The temple is located in Tien La Village, Doan Hung Commune, Hung Ha District, Thai Binh Province, covering an area of about 4000 square meters, with its entrance facing the serene Tien Hung River.

Over the years, the temple has undergone several restorations and now boasts a grand design, comprising several structures, including the temple gates, the outer hall, the main hall, the upper sanctuary, and expansive courtyards. The interior of the prayer hall and upper sanctuary is intricately carved with images of mythical creatures such as dragons, phoenixes, and tortoises, along with symbols of pine, bamboo, and plum trees.

The central hall is particularly notable for its architectural style, built in the traditional ‘Chong Diem Co Cach’ style. What makes this hall even more unique is the use of stone in the construction, with pillars, beams, and rafters all carved with exquisite detail. Tien La Temple also preserves numerous valuable ritual items, including artifacts from the Le Dynasty, historical records of deity worship, and ancient stone steles, along with bells from the Le and Nguyen Dynasties.

The Tien La Temple Festival is held annually to honor General Vu Thi Thuc and her heroic deeds. The festival takes place from the 15th to the 17th of March on the lunar calendar, but it is now extended from the 10th to the 20th to accommodate a larger number of visitors. The main celebration falls on the 17th, which coincides with the day of General Vu Thi Thuc's sacrifice in 43 AD. The festival includes traditional activities such as rooster fighting, wrestling, dragon and lion dances, along with folk games like ‘dai dao’ (a traditional ball game), bamboo flute playing, and rooster battles. Additionally, cultural and artistic groups from Thai Binh Province and neighboring regions perform dramatic plays like the famous Cheo opera pieces: ‘Quan Am Thi Kinh’, ‘Luu Binh - Duong Le’, and ‘Pham Tai - Ngoc Hoa’.

Located on a raised mound near the Đại Bàng Sea (now known as the Thái Bình River mouth), Cho Temple, also referred to as Dinh Temple or Tam Toa Temple (in Thụy Trường Commune), is a revered spiritual site that attracts many visitors both locally and from afar. It is part of the National Historical Relics Complex, including Cho Temple, Ben Temple, and Chi Bo Temple, recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1989 for its historical and cultural significance, as well as its unique architectural style.

From the entrance, Cho Temple is a complex of structures that includes the temple gates, two rows of houses, the main hall, the secondary hall, and the rear sanctuary. These structures were built and renovated in 1907 and 1941. The interior is richly decorated with intricate carvings, many of which reflect the artistic style of the Le Dynasty, showcasing high artistic value. Notably, the temple still houses many valuable religious artifacts, including ceremonial vessels, incense altars, and 17 royal decrees from various Vietnamese kings. In recent years, thanks to the generosity of the local community and former residents, over 1 billion VND has been invested to restore and upgrade parts of the temple complex.

The Cho Temple Festival takes place annually on the 2nd day of the 7th lunar month. The temple's reputation for being a spiritual hub, coupled with the mysterious and legendary tales surrounding its deities, has made it a popular cultural and spiritual destination. According to local elders, the temple is believed to be very powerful, with heavy rainstorms often occurring just before and after the festival. During the event, thousands of visitors from all over the country come to pay their respects and learn about the temple's cultural and historical values. Local authorities organize various cultural performances, sports events, and traditional games, creating a lively and festive atmosphere, while also strengthening community ties among residents.

Quang Lang Village, located in Thụy Hải Commune, Thái Thụy District, is believed to be over 2000 years old, according to local elders. Historically, the village has always been a coastal settlement, without rice fields, with its population primarily consisting of fishermen and salt farmers. The village used to celebrate four major festivals each year. At the end of the first lunar month, they would hold a water procession to pray for good harvests, in mid-February they held a buffalo wrestling competition, and in mid-July, another water procession was conducted as part of rituals honoring the village's tutelary deity. Notably, at the Hung Quoc Pagoda, a unique festival dedicated to the Salt Goddess takes place, with traditional dances like Ông Đùng and Bà Đà, a ritual recorded in ancient texts.

Before the festival begins, the villagers prepare for the Ông Đùng and Bà Đà dance with great care. Large baskets, often around one meter in diameter, are used to create the faces of Ông Đùng and Bà Đà. Ông Đùng’s face is painted red, while Bà Đà’s is painted white. These figures are made from woven bamboo. Additionally, effigies of children, representing the deity's children, are made with similar materials. Both the Ông Đùng and Bà Đà figures are adorned with red flowers, known as Ông Đùng flowers, which are believed to ward off evil spirits. The Ông Đùng and Bà Đà dance begins in the late afternoon of the 14th day of the 4th lunar month. After the main ceremony at the temple of the Salt Goddess, villagers dress as the deities, with children playing the role of Đùng’s and Đà’s children, joining in the dance. The dance involves playful movements, with Ông Đùng carrying a pineapple stalk and Bà Đà holding a palm leaf, sometimes playfully poking each other with the stalk. As the procession moves through the village, offerings of corn, sweet potatoes, bananas, and cakes are placed at the doorways for the dancers to collect. The event concludes with the dance returning to the temple, where villagers scramble to take items from the deities’ costumes as lucky charms.

The Quang Lang Village Festival is a large-scale event, held in Quang Lang Village, Thụy Hải Commune, Thái Thụy District, Thái Bình Province. The festival is celebrated on the 14th of April and 14th of June in the lunar calendar, with the main event taking place on the 14th of April each year. The temple honors Ông Đùng, Bà Đà, and the Salt Goddess, the third consort of King Trần Anh Tông. The festival features traditional games such as cock fighting, bridge walking, eel catching, and duck chasing, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

One of the major autumn festivals in Thái Bình province, the Côn Giang Temple Festival is celebrated every year from the 7th to the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. Villagers from Thuyền Quang and nearly ten surrounding villages gather to honor the national hero Quách Hữu Nghiêm. The temple is located at the confluence of the Côn River (known as Ngã Ba Cun) in Thuyền Quang Village, now part of Thái Hà Commune, Thái Thụy District, Thái Bình Province. The temple is dedicated to Quách Hữu Nghiêm, a hero from the late 15th to early 16th century, who played a key role in diplomatic missions to China during the Lê Dynasty.

Quách Hữu Nghiêm was born on October 3, 1442. His family, including his elder brother Quách Đình Bảo, studied under the renowned scholar Nguyễn Thành at the Quốc Tử Giám. In 1466, during the reign of King Lê Thánh Tông, he passed the royal examination and became one of the top three graduates. After serving in various government positions, he was appointed Vice Minister of Rites, and later promoted to a high-ranking official in the royal court. In 1502, he was sent as the chief envoy to the Ming Dynasty in China.

As a young man, Quách Hữu Nghiêm and his brother held significant governmental roles. In 1490, he was appointed Deputy Supervisor of the Royal Court and later became Chief Supervisor. He was also entrusted with overseeing the national exams in 1493 and 1496. Quách Hữu Nghiêm passed away on September 9, 1504, after completing his diplomatic mission to China. His boat fell ill while traveling back along the Trà Lý River, and he died at the confluence of the Cun River. The villagers buried him and built the Côn Giang Temple in his honor.

The Côn Giang Temple is a historic site, over 100 years old, and was recognized as a National Cultural and Historic Monument in 1989. One of the temple's most striking features is the pair of ancient banyan trees in front of the main hall. These majestic trees are seen as guardians of the temple, protecting its sacred grounds and offering shade to visitors. According to the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and the Environment, the trees are 375 years old, with trunks measuring 85cm and 97cm in diameter. The trees bear scars from the passage of time, with large bumps and hollows created by years of growth. In 2013, these banyan trees were officially recognized as Vietnam's Heritage Trees.

Every year, from the 7th to the 9th of the 9th lunar month, the people of Thuyền Quang and surrounding villages come together to celebrate the Côn Giang Temple Festival in memory of Quách Hữu Nghiêm. On the morning of the 7th, a procession brings the statue of the hero from twelve temples, pagodas, and shrines in the village to the main temple. Traditionally, the festival included a variety of folk games such as chess, cock fighting, card games, and wrestling with bamboo poles. However, in recent years, the bamboo pole wrestling and traditional wrestling have been discontinued.

Keo Pagoda, located in Duy Nhất commune, Vũ Thư district, Thái Bình province, hosts two annual festivals. The first is the Spring Festival on the 4th day of the Lunar New Year, and the second is the main Autumn Festival, taking place from the 13th to the 15th of September in the lunar calendar. The September festival is tied to the memory of Monk Không Lộ, with the 13th marking 100 days since his passing and the 14th being his birthday. The festival kicks off on the 13th with a procession commemorating the monk's death. In the afternoon, there are boat races, followed by a trumpet and drum competition in the evening. On the 14th, a ceremony is held to honor the monk's birthday, followed by incense offerings and a grand procession featuring red and white horses, adorned with saddles and carts pulled by people. The procession also includes eight sacred flags and forty-two people carrying ceremonial bowls. In the afternoon, a ritual performance, known as the 'frog dance,' takes place at the Giá Roi altar. The final day of the festival, the 15th, is similar to the 14th but includes additional performances after the procession concludes. Keo Pagoda’s festival is a lively and festive three-day event, blending religious rites with traditional cultural practices that honor the monk's legacy and reflect the agricultural lifestyle of the northern riverbank communities.

9. Hét Temple Festival

Every year, on the 8th day of the lunar month, the people of Thái Thượng commune, Thái Thụy district, hold the grand Đền Hét Festival to honor and remember the great contributions of General Phạm Ngũ Lão. He played a pivotal role in the resistance against the Mongol invaders and in protecting the land by the sea. The Đền Hét Temple, located in the ancient Bích Du village (now Thái Thượng commune), is a historical site where General Phạm Ngũ Lão (1255-1320) set up his military camp to train soldiers and defend the northeastern border during the Mongol invasions. This area was also used as a strategic meeting point and a place to store weapons during both the French and American wars. Despite the passage of time and historical upheavals, the temple still stands today, maintaining its majestic architecture and preserving valuable relics such as ceremonial objects, royal decrees, and sacred texts from the Lê to Nguyễn dynasties. In 1993, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized Đền Hét as a National Historical Site. The festival, held from the 7th to the 9th of January, reaches its peak on the 8th with a series of religious rites, processions, and incense offerings, alongside folk arts, sports, and traditional games such as stilts walking, boat racing, tug-of-war, and wrestling. Đền Hét Festival is one of the major spring festivals in the coastal region, drawing visitors from far and wide to pay their respects and enjoy the folk games. The event also serves to preserve cultural traditions and promote unity and patriotism among the people.

10. Trần Temple Festival

The Trần dynasty was known for its many skilled rulers and generals such as Trần Thái Tông, Trần Thánh Tông, Trần Hưng Đạo, and Trần Thủ Độ. The land of Tam Đường in Tiến Đức commune, Hưng Hà district, Thái Bình province, is the birthplace of the Trần dynasty. The Trần Thái Bình Temple complex consists of various shrines and tombs dedicated to the Trần kings and officials. Located in Tam Đường village, Tiến Đức commune, this sacred site, also known as Thái Đường Tomb, is where the kings of the Trần dynasty are honored. The temple and tombs are part of a historical site recognized by the Vietnamese government as a National Special Heritage Site. Covering an area of 5,175m², the temple, which honors the Trần kings and the revered General Trần Hưng Đạo, has been meticulously constructed. Situated in the center of Tiến Đức, the temple complex includes several sections such as the main hall, the offering hall, the left and right wings, the ceremonial gate, a golden altar, and three tombs of the Trần kings. This vast architectural ensemble is designed in a traditional layout, featuring spaces for rituals, the temple's inner sanctum, and a garden with lush greenery. The design follows the principles of traditional Vietnamese architecture, resembling the structure of a village communal house. The main shrine of the Trần Temple is an imposing structure, built in the shape of a character 'Đinh', with two eight-span halls spread across 359m². The construction showcases the skill of the artisans, with stone carvings of dragons adorning the shrine, adding to the majesty of the sacred space.