Tran Quoc Nghien Temple Festival kick-starts in Ha Long city
The festival of Tran Quoc Nghien Temple (Duc Ong Temple) opened this morning at the Tran Quoc Nghien Temple in Ha Long city.
The festival opened with a palanquin procession pass by 25-4 Road, Le Thanh Tong Road to Long Tien pagoda and then back to the Duc Ong Temple.
Locals and tourists also attended the temple to do incense offerings to show gratitude to Tran Quoc Nghien for his great merit.
A series of cultural activities have been held during the festival to commemorate the national hero, educate patriotism for the people and promote the local tourism.
Tran Quoc Nghien was also famous for his filial piety, and faithfulness. In memory of his great contributions to the locality, the boat owners who often pass by Bai Tho Mount together set up a temple dedicated to him.
The temple has a three-compartment Ceremonial Hall, and a Back Sanctuary. The Holy Mother Temple lies to the right of the main temple. Inside the main temple, the middle altar is dedicated to Tran Quoc Nghien. The other two altars on the right and left sides are dedicated to the First Lady and Second Lady respectively. The Temple has a set of eight ornamental weapons, and various worshipping objects. It has undergone many restorations.
The annual festival aims to contribute to public awareness-raising of the preservation and promotion of the cultural and historic value of the national historic site complex of Bai Tho Mountain, Long Tien pagoda and Duc Ong Temple.
The festival is famous for its scarceness and attracts lots of tourists every year
