Main features

Celebrations take place at two beautiful temples ofDa Hoa and Da Trach, in Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, about20 kilometers from Hanoi. Starting from Ha Noi, visitors can traveldownstream on the Red River by boat or canoe, or go by motorbike alongthe dyke of the Red River. During the festival, pilgrims in colourfuldress converge on the two temples, Da Trach and Da Hoa. As the festivalis celebrated, pilgrims wearing gaudy dress, come in the two temples inDa Trach and Da Hoa.

After the openingceremony, there is a procession to remind people of the legend, lifeand work of Saint Chu Dong Tu and his two wives. Heading the processionwhich consists of beautiful girls in colourful dress and  musicalbands is the two luxurious dragons controlled by ten people in therhythm of the drum. Moreover, the procession includes musical bands,God palanquin and eight weapons for ornaments andbig pots. They sit o­ntens of boats, rowing to the middle of the river, scooping water intothe pots and coming back to bathe the statue. After thurifyingceremony, you will be treated with various forms of entertainment likewrestling, fighting with sticks, human chess, traditional and religiousdances and Cheo.

Legend associated with Da Trach Temple

Thelegend has it that Da Trach Temple was built on the former highplatform of Chu Dong Tu and Princess Tien Dung's castle and citadel,after they returned to the Heaven. Once a year, villagers intraditional ao dais and sarongs make their way to the temple of ChuDong Tu to make offerings of incense, flowers and candles. They sayprayers for the soul of the famous fisherman and for their friends andfamily who risk their lives by fishing out at sea. It is an interestinglocal spectacle and if you're in the area, definitely worth a visit.

Thefestival is opened by a procession to carry water from Red river to thetemple. The majestic procession is led by golden-dragon dancers, flagcarriers, drummers, an octet of instrument players, eight carriers ofoffering weapons, sinh tien dancers, long dinhpalanquin, water big-bellied jar palanquin, conical hat palanquin,walking palanquin and three palanquins carrying statues of Chu Dong Tuand Princess Tien Dung. When the procession arrives in Red river, atthe same time, a dragon boat from the Tu Nhien (Nature) alluvial plaincomes to join in the procession. On the river, flags fluttering in thewind, golden dragon effigies waving and the bustling sound of drumsmake the procession splendid and ebullient. In this festival, you willhave a chance to know more about Vietnamese traditional art, such as trong quan singing, quan ho singing, ca tru, etc. and traditional games (earthenware pot beating, kieu bridge passing, catching ducks in the pond, etc.) are held during the festival.

At Da Hoa Temple

Inthe early morning of the 10th, the inhabitants of nine communes hold along procession along the dyke of the Red River to Da Hoa Temple.Marching in the van of the procession is Hoang Trach Commune. Followingare Dong Que, Bang Nha, Phu Thi, Phuc Trach, Thiet Tru, Nhan Thap, DaHoa communes, and finally Me So Commune. When the procession reachesthe temple, palanquins and offerings are placed at a stipulated place.Then, the members of the procession and pilgrims begin the openingceremony at the courtyard. As the opening ceremony and incensepresenting ceremony end, people participate in traditional games thattake place during day and night.

It must besaid that if you are in Vitenam, you will be strongly recommended notto miss out watching this festival. The host of processions, dance,music, food fun and social gathering will mesmerize you during thefestival. The package of dragon procession, martial arts competitions,lion dance, and Cheo performances (a kind of Vietnamese popular opera)make this festival grand, colourful and popular among the tourists.