Replicas of Tran temple’s seal will be presented to the public from 7 am on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (February 6) through the end of the first lunar month, instead of on the night of the 14th day only as in previous years.

The change in date was announced by the Nam Dinh city People’s Committee at a press conference on January 17.

No more than two seals per person will be presented.

The adjustment will help prevent disorder during the Tran temple festival this year, held in Loc Vuong ward, Nam Dinh city on February 5-6 (the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the first lunar month).

Last year, hundreds of thousands of people seeking the seal which represents luck and fame, flocked to the festival causing serious traffic jams and the sale of fake replicas.

The festival will also feature traditional ceremonies including incense offerings, a palanquin process from Co Trach and Thien Truong temples to Tran temple, and various cultural and sporting events, such as lion dances, Cheo (Popular opera) singing, wrestling, and martial arts.

During the festival, city police will designate traffic lanes to reduce congestion and ensure order and security.

Source: Nhan Dan