The Cua Ong Temple Festival – one of the special cultural and historical relics in the country’s northeast – has officially opened in Cam Pha District in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

About 500 actors and actresses are performing in a programme themed An epic of the sea.

This year’s edition of the annual event was enlivened by a unique distinction: the temple has just received a certificate of special national intangible cultural heritage status, an honour marked with a ceremony held on Sunday by the provincial People’s Committee.

Thousands of visitors have rushed to join the festival, titled Cua Ong - truyền thống vẻ vang - điểm đến linh thiêng” (Cua Ong  - a glorious tradition and sacred destination), in recent days.

This year, the festival is particularly large, with events in two parts. The major celebration began with the incense offering at the Upper Temple, followed by a palanquin procession by 28 groups along the road from the Lower Temple towards Cua Ong Temple.

Festivities started in the Upper and Lower temples with various traditional games including chess playing, rice cooking and cock fighting.

A performance programme with theme Bản hùng ca cửa biển (An epic of sea) attracted the participation of more than 500 actors and actress. The programme concluded with a 15-minute fireworks performance.

Speaking at the ceremony on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh acknowledged the efforts of Quang Ninh Province as well as Cam Pha and Van Don districts in preserving and promoting the cultural, historical and traditional values of the region.

He urged the province to accelerate socio-economic development by particularly focusing on tourism, ensuring the protection of Cam Pha Temple’s historical and cultural value.

Cua Ong Temple is located near Bai Tu Long Bay, close to the World Heritage Ha Long Bay. The temple is dedicated to Tran Quoc Tang, a hero under the Tran Dynasty in the 11th century.

The festival is held to commemorate his contributions in defeating enemies in the resistance war against Mongol invaders and bringing peace to the northeast region. 

With its three main areas of the Hạ, Trung and Thượng temples, the Cua Ong temple complex is the only one worshiping all family members of General Tran Hung Dao, the Supreme Commander of Viet Nam’s army during the Tran Dynasty. He commanded the Dai Viet army to repel the Mongol invasions in 1258, 1285 and 1288.

The General’s triple victories are considered among the greatest military feats in world history and the commander is regarded as one of the most accomplished military tacticians the world has ever seen.

Festivities including rituals and parade processions are usually held from the second day of the first lunar month to the 30th day of the third lunar month. The main festive days fall on the third and the fourth days of the second lunar month. 

VNS