Nhuoc Son Temple Festival in Yen Bai

Nhuoc Son Temple Festival is held periodically every year, expressing respect and gratitude to the heroes who have contributed to the people and the country. Join us to learn more details about this unique festival.

Some details about Nhuoc Son temple

This festival, held at the revered Nhuoc Son Temple, is a vibrant and joyous occasion that draws locals and visitors alike to partake in a series of traditional rituals, cultural performances, and communal festivities.

Where is Nhuoc Son Temple?

Nhuoc Son Temple is located on the banks of the peaceful Red River, about 41 km from Mau A town (Van Yen district). This historical relic is located in Ngoc Chau village, Chau Que Ha commune, worshiping Mr. Ha Khac Chuong - a martial general who was talented in leading troops during the Tran Dynasty.

Nhuoc Son Temple was built facing North, with an irregular shape, nail-shaped structure, divided into two basic parts: main architecture and secondary architecture. The total area of the temple is 191.44 square meters, preserving over 10 relics including bronze bells, crosswords from ancient times, a statue of Ha Chuong cast in bronze about 28.5cm high, weighing 67kg, an incense bowl. ... On November 16, 2005, Nhuoc Son temple relic site was ranked as a national historical-cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Nhuoc Son Temple Festival was built facing North, with an irregular shape

Who does Nhuoc Son Temple worship?

Local people here often call Nhuoc Son temple by the local name Loong Meac or At Meac. The temple is located on a large area of land with flat terrain right on the banks of the Red River, built by the people to show gratitude and respect to the hero Ha Chuong.

According to the village elders here, from generation to generation people have told each other about Mr. Ha Chuong's merits. The story goes that during the second resistance war against the Mongol Yuan army, He Khac Chuong had great merit in pursuing the enemy, ambushing them and pushing them into prepared ambush traps. Thanks to that, our army won a resounding victory, crushing the enemy army, leaving them without a single piece of armor. But unfortunately, during the fight, Ha Chuong was seriously injured and died. His body was taken to the other side of the river to be buried, right at the mouth of Nhuoc Son waterfall.

When is the Nhuoc Son Temple Festival held?

The festival at Nhuoc Son temple is held on the 20th day of the 9th lunar month every year, in Chau Que Ha commune. The festival attracts a large number of local people and tourists from all over to offer incense to commemorate Ha Chuong's great contributions as well as send prayers for a convenient, prosperous and happy life.

This festival is held on the 20th day of the 9th lunar month every year

How do the Ceremony and Assembly take place?

The Nhuoc Son Temple Festival in Yen Bai is a meticulously planned set of events in which the ritual and assembly play critical roles in generating a meaningful and lasting experience for both participants and viewers.

Ceremony

In addition to customs similar to the belief in worshiping the Holy Mother, at Nhuoc Son temple, attention is also paid to the Tu Viet ceremony, also known as "phaa quan" - trance. This custom is held twice a year at the temple on January 20 and September 20 of the lunar calendar.

September 20, according to generations, is the day General Ha Chuong died. So the people will prepare to make offerings of green rice and other offerings, both to offer and to entertain guests from all over who come to the temple to worship Him.

Nhuoc Son Temple Festival time: from 5 am to 5 pm.

Festival hosts: elders, chiefs, assistants, guardians...

At 5 a.m., soldiers will loudly direct preparations such as slaughtering pigs, which must be healthy and large. Pigs will be slaughtered right on the banks of the Red River, divided into 12 pots to offer to the Dragon King guarding Nhuoc Son waterfall.

At 6 a.m., people in the area will bring green rice and banh day to offer to high mandarin Nhuoc Son, contributing to the festival.

At exactly 9:00 a.m., the main ceremony took place with the priest reading a funeral speech to commemorate the merits of Mr. Ha Chuong and prayers for the people to be prosperous and happy.

The funeral ceremony lasts about 1 hour. At 10:00 a.m., when the shaman finishes worshiping, the department in charge of entertaining guests will prepare rice to serve the guests and visitors who have come here to attend the festival.

On January 20 of the lunar calendar, a similar festival will also take place, the only difference is that on this day buffalo will be slaughtered instead of pigs, the rest of the ceremony and festival are exactly the same as on September 20.

Nhuoc Son Temple Festival have many interesting activities

Assembly part

Lasts from 10am to 5pm.

At 10:00 a.m., after the worshiping activities of the Nhuoc Son Temple Festival are completed, there will be a festival with special activities such as: Xoe dance festival, banquet festival, shuttlecock throwing game, dum singing festival...

Among them, the Xoe dance festival is the most unique, held right at the temple yard. Villagers will wear colorful clothes with wide flared skirts. The shaman will fan out first, then everyone will spread along. Each spread usually has 6-7 people, carrying 10 music balls to spread while singing songs praying for a good harvest and a prosperous life.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the time for the duet singing festival, the conical throwing festival, and the bird's nest fighting festival, extremely exciting and jubilant.

Bird's nest festival: people make bird's nests from pandanus leaves, skillfully plaiting 4 leaves and tying 3 chicken feathers. The players will pass the bird's nest to each other. Anyone who drops the bird's nest on the ground will receive a light punishment.

Shuttlecock throwing association: shuttlecock throwing is a very interesting game, with two teams, one male and one female. Both sides will compete to see who can break through the ring first and will be rewarded by Chief Ly. A high tree is erected, above is a ring only 20-25cm wide, glued with red paper, facing the river bank. Shuttlecocks are made of fabric, inside are wrapped cotton seeds into a square shape, the four corners are attached with red and blue tassels. The shaman will be the initiator so that both sides can win the shuttlecock together and throw the shuttlecock so that it hits the high shuttlecock ring.

Reciprocal singing festival: this is an activity that couples love, they can exchange questions and greet each other, exchange flirtations, and make promises in a gentle and affectionate way.

A unique activity in Nhuoc Son Temple Festival

Currently, the Nhuoc Son Temple Festival has been recreated with many changes compared to the old customs of ancient times. However, the festival still carries the same spirit and heart towards the nation's roots as it has for thousands of years. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to travel to the North in the 9th lunar month, do not miss the opportunity to participate in the unique spiritual cultural space in Yen Bai province.