Hai Phong hosted a solemn ceremony commemorating the 725th anniversary of the passing of national hero Tran Quoc Tuan, also known as Hung Dao Dai Vuong, alongside the grand opening of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival and the announcement of the global heritage value of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac complex.

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National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man beats the ceremonial drum to open the festival.

On the evening of October 12, Hai Phong officially held the memorial event and the launch of the autumn festival, celebrating the life and legacy of one of Vietnam’s most revered military leaders.

In attendance were National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, other central government and ministry leaders, Hai Phong authorities, and thousands of delegates, citizens, and visitors.

Delivering remarks at the event, Hai Phong People's Committee Chairman Le Ngoc Chau recounted the nation’s proud history.

He noted that 725 years ago, Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan passed away in Van Kiep. To honor this legendary military strategist who led Đại Việt to three historic victories over Mongol invaders, King Tran Anh Tong posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Thai Su Thuong Phu, Thuong Quoc Cong, and Nhan Vu Hung Dao Dai Vuong.

The people deified him as Cuu Thien Vu De Duc Thanh Tran. Following his death, King Tran issued a royal decree for the construction of a temple in his honor - today known as the Kiep Bac Temple.

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Memorial ceremony commemorating 725 years since the passing of Saint Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan.

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Hai Phong Party Secretary Le Tien Chau distributes ceremonial blessings to the people.


Chairman Le Ngoc Chau highlighted Hai Phong’s rich cultural heritage, which includes over 4,000 historical sites. Alongside the famed Con Son - Kiep Bac complex, the city is home to numerous cultural and historical landmarks, such as the temple of scholar Nguyen Binh Khiem, the Mao Dien Temple of Literature, and the historical sites of An Phu - Kinh Chu - Nham Duong, as well as the Tu Luong Xam base of Ngo Quyen in 938.

Hai Phong also boasts over 1,300 traditional festivals, including the flamboyant Hoa Phuong Do Festival, the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, the Den Tranh Festival, and the Den Bia Festival. The region is home to hundreds of traditional craft villages and a vibrant array of folk performances and traditional arts reflecting the area's deep cultural identity.

Significantly, Hai Phong now holds two UNESCO-recognized heritages: the Cat Ba Archipelago, jointly designated with Ha Long Bay as a World Natural Heritage site; and the Con Son - Kiep Bac scenic complex, recognized together with Yen Tu (Quang Ninh) and Vinh Nghiem (Bac Ninh) as a World Cultural Heritage site.

At this year's Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival, Hai Phong proudly announced the UNESCO-listed heritages to inspire citizens, visitors, and international friends to explore and experience the city’s unique historical and cultural treasures - an epicenter of Vietnamese heritage.

On the festival’s opening night, thousands of visitors flocked to Kiep Bac Temple for what was the largest-scale cultural performance in the festival’s history. The event featured a diverse lineup of traditional art performances celebrating the region's heritage.

The 2025 Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival will run from October 1 to 12, marking the most expansive edition of the event to date and serving as Hai Phong’s first major cultural and spiritual celebration since its recent administrative merger.

Hoai Anh