Tien Cong festival opened in Quang Yen town
Tien Cong temple festival 2025, which officially opened on February 2 (or the 5th day of the first lunar month), highlighted the local culture and enriched the people's spiritual life.
The Tien Cong Festival is one of the most unique and historically significant festivals in Quang Ninh province, dating back over 500 years. It is celebrated to honor the founding ancestors (Tien Cong) - the pioneering settlers who reclaimed and cultivated the Ha Nam Island region in Quang Yen Town during the late 15th century.
Historically, during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong (1460-1497), groups of settlers from the Red River Delta (mainly Hai Duong and Bac Ninh provinces) migrated to Ha Nam Island in Quang Yen. These settlers worked hard to transform the once-barren coastal wetlands into fertile farmlands, creating a prosperous agricultural and fishing community. Over generations, they were venerated as Tien Cong (Founding Fathers) by their descendants, who built Tien Cong Temple to honor them.
The festival has since become a sacred tradition, expressing gratitude to these ancestors while promoting community unity and respect for the elderly.
A unique feature of the festival is the ceremony honoring elders who turn 80 in the new year. Families proudly present their elders to the community, reinforcing respect for longevity, wisdom, and filial piety. This tradition strengthens family ties and highlights the Vietnamese saying: "Kinh lao dac tho” (Respecting the elderly brings long life).
The festival celebrates the spirit of perseverance, as the ancestors overcame the challenges of land reclamation and built a thriving community. The processions and rituals symbolize the continuity of generations, ensuring that younger people remember their roots.
Apart from conventional rituals, the festival also comprises traditional games namely buffalo fighting, cock fighting, human chess, swinging, folk song performance, etc.
Tien Cong temple festival welcomes thousands of locals and visitors each year.
