Chu Dong Tu Festival 2025

The Chu Dong Tu Festival, commonly known as the "Love" Festival, is held yearly by nine villages in two districts of Khoai Chau and Van Giang, Hung Yen Province, on February 10-12 of the lunar calendar. The festival honors Chu Dong Tu-Tien Dung's famous immortal love.

Who is Chu Dong Tu?

According to folklore, Chu Dong Tu was so destitute that he and his father shared a loincloth. When his father died, he buried the loincloth with his father's body. Thus, he was without clothing. He generally submerged himself in water, catching fish and crabs for a living.

Princess Tien Dung, at the time, preferred to travel rather than marry. Her dragon boat visited Chu Dong Tu's hometown one day. Chu Dong Tu was terrified when he heard drums and flutes, saw a crowd, and buried himself in the sand to hide.

Chu Dong Tu buried himself in the sand to hide

Princess Tien Dung went for a walk on the beach and instructed staff to prepare drapes to cover her while she took a bath. Chu Dong Tu was hidden in the same location where the Princess took a bath by chance. Chu Dong Tu's body was revealed in the sand as the water steadily flowed down. Tien Dung was taken aback and demanded an explanation. The princess wanted to marry Chu Dong Tu after hearing his story. The couple lived a simple and happy life together, traveling and helping people.

When the couple couldn't find a place to stay one evening, they plugged a stick into the ground, put on their hats, and rested together. At midnight, a majestic palace appeared out of nowhere. When her father learned that Chu Dong Tu-Tien Dung possessed a palace, he suspected that the pair intended to oppose him and dispatched troops to fight.

Princess Tien Dung did not fight back against her father. Both the castle and the pair of Chu Dong Tu-Tien Dung flew into the sky that night. A large storm and whirlwinds turned that area into a lagoon, which became known as Nhat Da Lagoon.

Da Hoa shrine was established in the spot where Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung first met. Meanwhile, the Hoa Da Trach Temple was constructed in the location where the pair flew into the sky. People remember the couple's assistance and revere Chu Dong Tu as one of the four immortal saints venerated by the Vietnamese. Chu Dong Tu is regarded as the person who bestows fortune and happiness to others. He is revered in many parts of the Red River Delta's lower reaches. Currently, 62 temples in Hanoi, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, and Thai Binh worship Chu Dong Tu.

Chu Dong Tu is revered in many parts of the Red River Delta's lower reaches

Chu Dong Tu Festival

Da Hoa Temple and Da Trach Temple are the most popular places celebrating the Chu Dong Tu Festival.

Da Hoa Temple

In the early morning of the 10th, residents of nine communes join in the Chu Dong Tu Festival marching in a long procession down the Red River dyke to Da Hoa Temple. The Hoang Trach Commune is marching in the procession's van. Following that are the communes of Dong Que, Bang Nha, Phu Thi, Phuc Trach, Thiet Tru, Nhan Thap, Da Hoa, and Me So.

When the procession arrives at the temple, palanquins and offerings are placed in a designated location. The procession and pilgrims will then begin the opening ceremony in the courtyard. After the opening and incense-presenting ceremonies, individuals participate in traditional games that take place during the day and night.

Residents join in the Chu Dong Tu Festival marching in a long procession

Da Trach Temple

Residents of Da Trach, Ham Tu, Yen Phu, Dong Tao, and Tu Dan communes, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, hold a march from Da Trach Temple to the Red River on the morning of the 10th to get water. A 20-meter-long dragon leads the water parade at the Chu Dong Tu Festival. Thirty muscular young men carry the dragon and dance to the beat of drums, making the procession joyful.

Two rows of women in colorful clothes follow, holding flags, gongs, drums, and parasols. Young women dance with conical hats and castanets strung with coins. Young men carry palanquins containing a jar, a beautifully adorned pole, and a conic hat - the two magical things bestowed by the Buddha on Chu Dong Tu. Then three palanquins arrive, each carrying the tablets of Chu Dong Tu and his two wives. The end is God of Carp palanquin "Be ngu than quan". Following the procession are notable men dressed in traditional attire.

A 20-meter-long dragon leads the water parade at the Chu Dong Tu Festival

When the procession comes to the riverbank, boats from Khoai Chau District sail downstream the Red River to meet the procession from Mai Dong Commune (Hung Yen Province), Khai Thai, and Tu Nhien Communes (Hanoi). They form a long procession and row to the center of the river to get water.

After placing the water palanquin in the temple, god palanquins are set in the courtyard, and the dragon dancing group comes to the temple's door to worship god. The Senh Tien dance and conical hats dance are performed on the Tien Bridge. After the opening ceremony, various games and activities are organized such as wrestling, human chess, and traditional and religious dances.

After the opening ceremony, various games and activities are organized

The Chu Dong Tu Festival reflects the lives of ancient Vietnamese in the northern delta during their reclamation of the Red River basin thousands of years ago. It also celebrates a couple's love in a legendary story, filial piety, human behavior, and demonstrating Vietnamese traditions.