On the evening of July 29, on Quan Lan Island, Van Don Special Zone held a ceremony to announce the decision and officially receive the certificate recognising Tran Hai Temple as a provincial-level historical relic site. The event also marked the opening of the 2026 Van Don Traditional Festival and the 738th anniversary of the historic Van Don Victory (1288–2026).
Tran Hai Temple has long served as an important place of worship closely associated with the spiritual life of residents in the Quan Lan coastal area. On June 2, 2026, the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1908/QD-UBND recognising Tran Hai Temple as a provincial-level historical relic site. The recognition helps affirm and honour the site’s historical, cultural and spiritual values, while providing a basis for the locality to strengthen its conservation, restoration and promotion in association with the development of cultural tourism, spiritual tourism and traditional education.
Alongside the ceremony to receive the certificate, Van Don Special Zone also opened the 2026 Van Don Traditional Festival, marking the 738th anniversary of the historic Van Don Victory (1288–2026).
Van Don is a land rich in historical, cultural and patriotic traditions. In 1149, under the reign of King Ly Anh Tong, Van Don was established as Dai Viet’s first seaport. In 1288, in the waters off Quan Lan, Tran Dynasty soldiers and people under the command of General Tran Khanh Du secured the Van Don Victory, destroying Zhang Wenhu’s grain fleet. The victory helped disrupt the Mongol - Yuan army’s logistical plans, paving the way for the great Bach Dang Victory.
The 2026 Van Don Traditional Festival provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to recall the heroic traditions of previous generations, helping preserve and spread heritage values and foster pride, patriotism and aspirations for local development. It thereby contributes to building Van Don into an attractive cultural, historical and sea-and-island destination in Quang Ninh.
Earlier, on the morning of July 29, as part of the Van Don Traditional Boat Racing Festival, a solemn procession of the imperial ordination decree attracted large numbers of officials, residents and visitors. The ritual involved carrying the memorial tablet of General Tran Khanh Du from the shrine to the ancient Quan Lan communal house.
Scenes from solemn procession of the imperial ordination decree:
By Ngan Ha – Do Hien
