Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace 2025

Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace is a major spiritual and cultural event held annually in the 10th lunar month in Bac Hong Linh Ward, Ha Tinh Province. The festival attracts a large number of locals and tourists who come to offer incense, visit, and experience the sacred atmosphere. It is an occasion to express deep respect for Quan Hoang Muoi, one of the deities worshipped in the Vietnamese Mother Goddess religion of the Three Palaces

Overview of Ca Temple in Ha Tinh

Ca Temple - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace was built over 700 years ago, during the Ly Dynasty.

Who is worshipped at Ca Temple?

Ca Temple - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace, also known as Mo Hac Temple or Mo Hac Linh Tu, is situated in a prime location where three major rivers converge: the Lam River, the La River, and the Minh River. The temple boasts the grandest architecture in the entire region, hence the name "Ca Temple" (The Grand Temple). It is dedicated mainly to Quan Hoang Muoi, revered as a “Holy Saint of Light” in the pantheon of the Four Palaces Mother Goddess belief. The temple also worships other deities, including Tam Lang (the snake god), Lady Le Thi Ngoc Dung (the adopted daughter of King Le Loi), as well as celestial, historical, and natural spirits.

According to legend, Quan Hoang Muoi is the tenth son of the Jade Emperor Bat Hai Dong Dinh, known for his talent, elegance, and mastery in both literature and martial arts. Following his father's command, he descended to earth to aid the people in the Nghe An and Ha Tinh regions.

To honor the contributions of Quan Hoang Muoi and the deities who protected the villages from wars and natural disasters, the people have long held annual festivals of gratitude. During the festival, the people of Nghe An - Ha Tinh pray for peace, good harvests, good health, and smooth affairs.

About the Ca Temple Festival in Ha Tinh

The Ca Temple - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace is a prominent spiritual and cultural event for the people of Ha Tinh, especially in the Hong Linh area. The festival helps preserve and promote traditional cultural values while fostering patriotism, love for the homeland, and national pride among the local community.

Ca Temple - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace is located in Bac Hong Linh Ward, Ha Tinh Province

Significance of the festival

Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace holds great significance in preserving and promoting the cultural and spiritual values of the local community. People have to honor the tremendous contributions of Quan Hoang Muoi and other deities worshipped at the temple. It's also praying for national peace, bountiful harvests, and a prosperous, happy life.

Activities in Quan Hoang Muoi Palace

The Ca Temple - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace is held annually in early October of the lunar calendar, with the main ceremony on the 10th day (Double Ten Day), considered the death anniversary of Quan Hoang Muoi.

The main ritual of the festival

The ritual segment of Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace takes place in a solemn atmosphere, deeply reflecting the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Vietnamese people. A key highlight is the procession of the royal decree - a grand ceremony honoring the authority of Duc Thanh Minh - Quan Hoang Muoi. Elders, officials, and residents dress in traditional ao dai and join the procession with great reverence and gratitude toward the deity who greatly contributed to the homeland and nation.

A large number of residents take part in the procession at Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace

An essential rite is the water procession, also known as the cap thuy ceremony, held by the Lam River. Locals believe that water drawn from this sacred river brings prosperity, good fortune, and abundance to the community. The ritual reflects the ancient belief in praying for water and favorable weather, expressing hopes for a year of bountiful harvests and smooth livelihoods.

Following this is the Van Du procession, which is a distinctive ritual reenacting the image of the deity touring the land and visiting the people. The procession moves through the main streets of Hong Linh Town, accompanied by flower palanquins, ceremonial flags, drums, gongs, and a large number of participants. This creates an atmosphere that is both sacred and intimate, reinforcing the spiritual connection between the deity and the local community.

The Cap Thuy water procession, held as part of Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace, reflects the people's belief in praying for water and favorable weather conditions

Most notably, the Dai Te ceremony is the central and most significant ritual, held at the main hall of Ca Temple. In a solemn setting, ceremonial music and chant-like recitations connect the past and present. Offerings such as sticky rice, boiled chicken, and banh chung are respectfully presented to Quan Hoang Muoi, expressing deep gratitude and prayers for a peaceful year with favorable weather.

The festival's celebratory section

One of the most engaging activities is the banh chung wrapping and cooking contest held as a ceremonial offering. Local teams, including officials, members of women's unions, farmers, and residents from different wards, come together to showcase their skills. Each team must complete 200 chung cakes within 120 minutes, starting from selecting banana leaves and washing sticky rice to tying the cakes with bamboo strings and keeping the fire going. The contest organizers judge and award prizes based on completion time, wrapping technique, quality, and presentation.

The “ Chung cakes wrapping and cooking contest to offer to the deity” at Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace

A traditional countryside market, held within the festival grounds, serves as an opportunity to showcase local specialties. Visitors can enjoy the authentic flavors of Ha Tinh through items such as black sticky rice cake, green tea, fermented fish sauce, and grilled fermented pork. This market contributes to the development of the local economy and acts as a bridge connecting culinary culture with spiritual tourism.

The festive atmosphere is further enlivened by vibrant folk art performances. Visitors are immersed in the rustic melodies of vi and giam singing, which embody the soulful spirit of Nghe An’s countryside. These traditional melodies blend harmoniously with the ritual singing performed during the Trance mediumship (Hau dong) rituals of the Mother Goddess belief, offering a deeply spiritual experience. The Trance mediumship performances carry sacred meaning, symbolizing the harmony between deities and humanity.

Trance mediumship is a significant practice in the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship tradition

Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace is an occasion for the people of Ha Tinh to express gratitude to their ancestors and preserve the cultural identity of their homeland. The festival helps promote cultural heritage and has become a unique spiritual tourism product, showcasing the image of Ha Tinh to both domestic and international visitors. If you ever have the chance to visit Vietnam, don’t miss the opportunity to experience Ca Temple Festival - Quan Hoang Muoi Palace Festival and immerse yourself in the distinctive spiritual atmosphere of the Ha Tinh region.