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Cua Ong Temple Festival
Time: From the 2nd day of the first lunar month to the 30th day of the third lunar month. The main festival day is on the 3rd of the second lunar month.
Place: Cua Ong Ward, Cam Pha Town, Quang Ninh Province.
Objects of worship: Hung Nhuong Vuong Tran Quoc Tang (Royal Highest Dong Hai), Hoang Cau - a local general.
Characteristics: Incense offering Ceremony, procession of ancestral
Cua Ong Temple dedicated to Tran Quoc Tang, the third son of Tran Hung Dao, many generals of Tran Dynasty and Hoang Cau - a local general who fought bravely against invaders.
Every year, the festival is held at the temple to commemorate his merit of defeating the aggressors and defending the Northeast region. The festival is big and last long in Quang Ninh with incense offering ceremony and a procession of his votive tablet from Cua Ong Temple to the shrine in Trac Chan Commune (called Vuon Nhan), according to the legend, is the place where Duc Ong was embodied and drifted. Then the procession turns back to the temple, symbolizing the royal progress of the Duc Ong.
Yen Tu Festival
Time: From the 10th day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month.
Place: Yen Tu historical site and beauty spot, Uong Bi Town, Quang Ninh Province.
Objects of worship: Sakyamuni Buddha.
Participators: People from all walks of life.
Characteristics: Pilgrimage in respect of Buddha, going sightseeing.
Yen Tu Festival commences annually on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts three months. Tens of thousands of pilgrims begin their journey after a solemn ritual held at the base of Yen Tu Mountain. After the three-hour trekking along winding path, going through forests of pines or bamboos, tourists reach the Bronze Pagoda atop the mountain. Upon getting up there all visitors feel like entering Nirvana.
The complex of historical sites and beauty spots in Yen Tu features various pagodas, shrines or stupas now appearing now disappearing under the thick foliage of the primary show their belief, or doing away with all sorrow and sadness. Others go to Yen Tu to do sightseeing and to enjoy the pure atmosphere of a mountain region. Foreign visitors come to Yen Tu to witness a famous beauty spot, a mysterious tourist attraction.
Anyone who makes all the way to the Bronze Pagoda feels the magnificence of Yen Tu and forests. Atop Yen Tu Mountain, one feels like standing by the Heave Gate shrouded in white cloud. On clear days one can have a partial view of the northeastern region.
During the festival the people near and far flock to Yen Tu. Some pilgrims go to Yen Tu to knows the reasons why our ancestors chose to lead a religious life in Yen Tu
Tra Co Festival
Time: 30th day of the fifth lunar month to the 6th day of the sixth lunar month.
Place: Tra Co, Mong Cai Town, Quang Ninh Province.
Objects of worship: Six village’s tutelary god and Nguyen Huu Cau, a peasant leader during Le Dynasty.
Characteristics: Fat pigs contest, vegetarian and meat-feast contest
Tra Co, the site where one first place the pen on the map to draw the S - shaped character of Vietnam. The inhabitants of Tra Co originate from Do Son.
Quan He (Nguyen Huu Cau), a leader of the peasants who rose up during the Le - Trinh period is also worshipped here. Representative of village communal house architecture of Vietnam, the building is still well preserved.
On the 25th day of the fifth lunar month, a procession of boats sails from Tra Co to the ancestors’ native land of Do Son. On the 30th day of the fifth lunar month, the boats return to Tra Co.
The next day, festivities begin with the procession of the King to the sea (also named the procession of the King to the shrine). It is accompanied by an armed troop, an orchestra, a strong and handsome young man chosen by the village population holding the flag and people carrying palanquin.
After the ritual procession, there are agricultural contests, such as a pig - breeding competition. The animals receive intensive care many months in advance from their masters in hopes of getting the first prize. There is also a cooking contest, with the best cooks acquiring fame throughout the village.
On the sixth day, the festivities conclude with a flower dance. In this ritual, the population pray to the genies to allow them to catch many fish, have good luck in their trading activities and to have a prosperous lives.
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