Tran Temple Festival 2026 to boast record 15 activities

The 2026 Tran Temple Festival is set to open in the northern province of Hung Yen at 19:00 on March 1 with a captivating music show, featuring a record 15 activities, the provincial Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism told the press on February 13.

Its Director Do Huu Nhan revealed that the event will run through March 5 at the tomb and temple complex of the Kings of Tran Dynasty (1225 - 1400) in Long Hung commune, a special national relic site. It aims to pay tribute to ancestors and the Tran Kings, while instilling in the younger generation a profound appreciation for Vietnam’s tradition of revering one’s roots.

The ceremonial part will proceed with full solemnity under traditional rites, including commemorative orations, incense offerings to the Tran Kings, water and land processions, and other ritual observances.

A broad lineup of cultural, art, and sport events awaits, including the practice of Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship, along with traditional contests such as wrapping glutinous square rice cakes, arranging betel quid in phoenix-wing patterns, fire-making and rice-cooking challenges, and calligraphy.

Exhibition booths will showcase the finest One Commune One Product (OCOP) items, Hung Yen tourism delights, and performances by local “ca tru” ceremonial singing clubs.

The 24th Vietnam Poetry Day is also scheduled, along with the introduction of criteria for cultural environment at traditional festivals, and sport tournaments such as ceremonial ball wrestling, tug of war, freestyle wrestling, and traditional wrestling matches.

Hung Yen is now home to 3,716 relic sites, including six special national relic sites, 284 national-level relics or clusters, and 884 others at the provincial level. It also boasts 12 artifacts or artifact groups recognised as national treasures and 30 elements inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The mausoleum and temple complex of the Tran Kings has enjoyed its special national relic status since 2014, while the Tran Temple Festival itself graces the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage./.