Tran Quoc Nghien temple festival opens in Ha Long city
On April 30, Tran Quoc Nghien temple festival was officially launched at the Bai Tho (Poem) Mountain National Historic Site Complex in Ha Long city. The event honors national heroes who made great contributions to the country and aims to inspire patriotic pride and the spirit of national unity.
This year’s festival is part of Hạ Long Tourism Week 2025, contributing to the preservation of spiritual culture and promoting local tourism. The festival serves not only as a cultural highlight, but also as an opportunity to strengthen historical education and attract more visitors to the province.
Tran Quoc Nghien, bestowed the title Hung Vu Vuong, was the eldest son of the great military commander Tran Quoc Tuan (Tran Hung Dao). A brilliant general of the Tran Dynasty, he played a crucial role in Vietnam’s second and third wars of resistance against the Mongol invasions and was honored by King Tran Nhan Tong with the title "Khai quốc công" (Duke who greatly contributed to the establishment of the nation).
The Tran Quoc Nghien temple dates back to the late 13th century. It was rebuilt in 1913 and underwent restorations in 1938 and 2002. As a sacred site with deep historical roots, the temple is part of the Bai Tho Mountain historical and cultural landscape, recognized as a national historic and scenic monument in 1992.
Due to time and harsh weather conditions, the temple has deteriorated and required several rounds of restoration. Since 2024, Ha Long city authorities have implemented a project to expand and restore the site, aiming to build a meaningful spiritual-cultural space that meets the cultural and religious needs of both locals and visitors. This project not only preserves heritage but also helps promote traditional values and encourages social contributions from individuals and organizations toward the temple’s long-term upkeep and enhancement.
When completed, the restoration will create a harmonious connection between the temple and other relics within Bai Tho Mountain complex, contributing to the vision of making Hạ Long a “city of flowers and festivals.”
The 2025 festival is held over two days, April 29 and 30. The ceremonial program follows traditional rites, including Tran Trieu worship rituals, an opening procession, the sacred water offering, ceremonial tributes, offerings at Long Tien pagoda, a lantern lighting ceremony, and a symbolic royal procession reenacting Tran Quoc Nghien’s journeys, concluding with the enthronement of the Saint.
In addition to the ceremonial rituals, the festival also features traditional art performances and folk games, offering both locals and visitors a vibrant and meaningful cultural experience.
