Tue, 23rd Apr 2024 20:30 (GMT +7)

Cua Ong Temple festival commenced in Cam Pha city

Thursday, 23/02/2023 | 09:55:45 [GMT +7] A  A

After two years of being downzied due to Covid-19, the large-scale festival of Cua Ong Temple officially kicked off in Cam Pha City on February 22, or from the first to the 3rd day of the second lunar month.

Long Dinh proccession ritual

Prominent among those at the opening ceremony was Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh.

Cua Ong temple is known as the only place that worships the largest number of relatives of national hero General Tran Quoc Tuan, who defended the nation against northern invaders. The temple is dedicated to Tran Quoc Tang, an outstanding general of the Tran dynasty and the third son of Tran Quoc Tuan along with the general’s aids. There are 34 intricately carved statues in the temple. 

Its architecture is unique and comprises of Lower, Middle, and Upper Temples. Along the way from the Lower temple to the Upper temple, visitors can admire the beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay dotted with its numerous large and small islands.  

Cua Ong Temple not only brings great historical value, but also has the unique value of national art and culture. The 180,000-square meter temple is arranged on the hills which are intertwined and harmonious under the ancient trees, creating a calm, majestic, beautiful and solemn scene. 

The festival of Cua Ong temple received the national intangible cultural heritage status in 2016. This year's festival will be held on a large scale, consisting of traditional rituals, a palanquin procession, and a folk games festival of human chess, cock fighting, tug of war and a rice cooking contest, among others.

PPC Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hanh and Cam Pha leaders offered incense to preceding generations and heroes.
The procession ritual of Duc Ong and the gods from Thuong Temple.
Long Dinh proccession ritual
Thousands of people take part in the proccession ritual.

20 boats participate in the proccesion on sea.
Local people held ceremonies in their families and neighborhoods to commemorate the merits, life and career of Monsignor Hung Nhuong Vuong Tran Quoc Tang and generals of the Tran Dynasty.
A drum performance kickstarts the ceremony.
The performance "Sacred traces of relics" depicts the career of Hung Nhuong Vuong Tran Quoc Tang, the army and people under the Tran Dynasty.

By Nguyen Dung