On November 29-30, the People’s Committee of Hai Lang commune hosted the Hoang Can Temple Festival in conjunction with the 2025 Cultural and Sports Day of the commune’s ethnic communities.
According to legend, Hoang Can was a heroic figure who protected the nation’s borderlands. After his passing, he was honored by the Tran Dynasty with the title Kham Sai Dong Dao Tiet Che, and later by the Nguyen Dynasty as Kham Sai Thai Bao Xuyen Quoc Cong Ton Than and the local Tutelary God. Out of deep respect, generations of residents have maintained a temple in his memory.
Held annually, the Hoang Can Temple Festival combined with the Culture & Sports Day is not only a time to commemorate a revered ancestor but also a vibrant community celebration. It serves as a space for meeting, cultural exchange, and preserving the traditions that strengthen the unity among the commune’s ethnic groups.
This year’s festival drew large crowds of locals and visitors. In addition to the ceremonial activities, the event featured a rich array of cultural and sports programs: reenactments of the San Diu wedding procession, the Dung thang dao (knife-ladder or chicken dance) performance, the Dai phan ceremony and hanh quang dance, traditional cooking competitions, sports contests, artistic offerings presented on ceremonial food trays, the “King of sea crabs” competition, and an exhibition of OCOP products paired with a digital transformation experience zone.
