Scene at the ceremony recognising Tran Thuong Temple festival as national intangible heritage (Photo: VNA) Ha Nam (VNA) – Tran Thuong Temple’sfood-distributing festival in the northern province of Ha Nam was officiallyrecognised as national intangible heritage at a ceremony on February 10, the14th day of the first lunar month.
Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh joined leaders fromministries, agencies and Ha Nam province to attend the ceremony.
Holding historical, cultural, and spiritual values, thetemple is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao (1228-1300), the Supreme Commander ofVietnam in the Tran Dynasty, who repelled three major Mongolian invasions inthe 13th century.
It is located in Nhan Dao commune of Ly Nhan district, whichwas chosen by Tran Hung Dao as a food storage area to supply his army during thefight against the Mongolian invaders.
In honour of the past event, a food-distributing festival isheld annually at the Tran Thuong Temple on the 14th day of the first lunarmonth.
This year, about 150,000 food parcels that contained corn, soybeans,and rice – key staples produced by Ly Nhan residents – were handed out toparticipants across 37 locations.
The same day, a seal opening ceremony took place at the TranKings temple relic site in the northern province of Nam Dinh to pray for a newyear of happiness and bumper harvest.
The ceremony re-enacted a custom dating back to the Tran Dynasty(1225-1400), when mandarins took out their seals after the Tet holiday,resuming administrative activities, including rewarding and conferring titles.
The event opened with a procession to take the seal from CoTrach temple to Thien Truong temple, where 14 kings of the Tran Dynasty areworshipped.
Following a short speech of a local official praising the greataccomplishments of the Tran Dynasty, the seal opening ceremony was heldsolemnly in line with the traditional rites, with the participation of 120 TucMac villagers from all walks of life.
The site was closed to visitors during the ceremony and thenopened at 23:55 pm last night.
It has become a tradition for Vietnamese to come here to geta stamp in hope for good luck and happiness.
The lucky stamps have been distributed among visitorsstarting 5am on February 12.-VNA
VNA
