Traditional Tranh Temple Festival – A national intangible cultural heritage
The Tranh Temple Festival in Ninh Giang town, Hai Duong province is a vibrant cultural tradition, serving as a focal point for preserving and passing down the spiritual and artistic heritage of generations.
Hanoi (VNA) - The Tranh Temple Festival in Ninh Giang town, Hai Duong province is a vibrant cultural tradition, serving as a focal point for preserving and passing down⛦ the spiritual and artistic heritage of generations.
Recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2022, this annual celebration breathes life into the enduring cultural identity of Hai Duong province.
The ceremonial recitation of the tribute address at the Tranh Temple Festival (Photo: VNA)
Located near the old Tranh ferry landing, Tranh Temple is deeply rooted in local lore. Legend has it that during the Tran Dynasty, villagers built a shrine at the confluence of the Tranh and Luoc rivers to honour a water deity believed to govern the region’s waterways.
Originally a modest structure, the temple was expanded in 1852 during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, with elaborate carvings and a statue of the venerated deity, Quan Lon Tuan Tranh. Despite its occupation by French colonial forces in 1887, the sanctity of the temple remained respected.
In later years, the local community constructed a new temple complex in the heart of Ninh Giang town. This grand compound featured 127 compartments covering 14,400 sq.m. However, during the resistance war against the French in 1946, most of the structure was destroyed, sparing only the central sanctuary.
The temple was rebuilt in 1954, relocated to its current site in 1966 to accommodate military expansion, and in 2009 was officially recognised as a national architectural and artistic monument. In December 2023, it was also designated a provincial tourist attraction by Hai Duong authorities.
Quan Lon Tuan Tranh Temple in Ninh Giang town (Source: Hai Duong Newspaper)
Held twice annually—in the second and eighth lunar months—the Tranh Temple Festival is a deeply spiritual and festive occasion. The main celebration in spring, centred on the 10th day of the second lunar month, commemorates the birth of Quan Lon Tuan Tranh. The autumn festival, on the 22nd of the eighth lunar month, honours the death anniversary of Tran Hung Dao, the revered national hero who led Dai Viet to victory against the Mongol invasions in the 13th century.
This year’s spring festival for 2025 runs from March 7–9 and on March 13, marking the most extensive and vibrant edition yet, organised at the district level.
A highlight of the festivities is the sacred water procession. Bearing a strong spiritual symbolism, this ritual involves collecting holy water from the Tranh River confluence, which is then brought back to the temple for ceremonial bathing of the deity’s statue—an act believed to purify and bless the community. Along the procession route, residents line the roads, offering prayers for peace and prosperity.
In addition to ceremonial rituals, the festival features traditional folk games and sports, including clay pot smashing, eel-catching, blindfolded goat-catching, folk wrestling, mock bridge walking, mud firecracker games, stick pushing, and both soft and leather volleyball.
According to Nguyen Thanh Van, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Giang District People's Committee, the festival is a powerful expression of local cultural creativity and aspirations. The efforts to safeguard and promote the Tranh Temple Festival are helping to revive and enrich the cultural fabric of a region steeped in history.
Complementing the festivities is an exhibition showcasing OCOP (One Commune, One Product) goods and local craft village specialties, providing a platform to promote Ninh Giang’s signature products to visitors from within and beyond the province./.
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