Tay Thien Festival 2025

The Tay Thien Festival is in the picturesque Tay Thien area, nestled within the Tam Dao National Park system. Annually, the festival honors the memory of Mother Lang Thi Tieu, renowned for her significant contributions to expanding the kingdom, promoting wet rice cultivation, and fortifying the dynasty by recruiting troops and monks.

Tay Thien Festival: Origins and significance

The Tay Thien Festival holds immense significance as a cultural and spiritual pilgrimage, honoring ancient traditions and fostering community unity.

Origin of the festival

Tay Thien is renowned as a sacred site where Buddhism and Dao Mau (Mother Goddess worship) harmoniously coexist, symbolizing the unity of the nation's religious traditions. According to legend, Mr. Khuong Tang Hoi, an Indian monk, was enchanted by the tranquil and picturesque mountain landscape and chose to propagate Buddhism in this revered locale.

Hence, visiting Tay Thien is often likened to "returning to Buddha, returning to Mother". The Mother here is Mrs. Lang Thi Tieu, the Royal Concubine of Hung Chieu Vuong (Lang Lieu, the ancestor of Banh Chung and Banh Day), hailing from Dong Lo village, Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province.

Tay Thien Temple worships Mother Lang Thi Tieu

During her lifetime, she demonstrated exceptional leadership by commanding the army in battles to maintain peace, unifying the nation, instructing people in rice cultivation, and kindling the nation's flame at its dawn. Even after her passing, she is said to have frequently appeared to bless the kings, ensuring the continued peace and prosperity of the land.

In recognition of her contributions, local communities erected Tay Thien temples and organized elaborate festivals. Throughout the feudal dynasties of Dinh, Ly, Tran, and Le, she was revered and honored annually with visits from mandarins paying homage to her.

Time and meaning of the Tay Thien Festival

The Tay Thien Festival spans three days from the 15th to the 17th of the second lunar month. As the largest annual cultural and tourism event in Vinh Phuc province, the festival aims to honor, preserve, and promote traditional cultural values, drawing in a diverse array of attendees and tourists from across the region.

The Tay Thien Festival is held from the 15th to the 17th of the second lunar month

Rituals and activities at the Tay Thien Festival

The festival at Tay Thien is a cultural and spiritual celebration encompassing ancient rituals and traditions.

Rituals of the festival

The Tay Thien Festival features a palanquin stacking ceremony, incense offering, and wish declaration ritual. Delegates pay respects at the temple and Thuong Pagoda, the ceremony's focal point. An afternoon thanksgiving ceremony takes place at Thuong temple. Preceding the event, the festival organizing committee conducts a final ceremony at Thuong Temple and Thuong Tay Thien Pagoda.

The festival encompasses numerous rituals such as incense offering and wish declaration ritual

Activities at the Tay Thien Festival

This year, attendees can partake in various distinctive cultural activities, including the Van Singing Festival and Chau Singing, which are integral to the worship of Mother Goddess Tay Thien. These events also feature Van and Chau singing performances at the Cong Quan house of Thuong Tay Thien temple.

The festival features a Soong Co folk song performance, featuring artists from provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh, and various districts in Vinh Phuc province. Additionally, the Trade-Tourism Fair showcases OCOP products and the distinctive cuisine of ethnic minorities within the province.

Attendees can partake in a variety of distinctive cultural activities at the Tay Thien Festival

The Tam Dao district hosts a festival celebrating the San Diu ethnic group with the Tay Thien festival. The event features performances that showcase the customs and traditions of the San Diu people, including Soong Co folk songs and traditional ethnic attire displays.

Various activities are scheduled, including the Vinh Phuc Provincial Volleyball Championship, air volleyball, tug of war, and chess tournaments. There will also be contests for making Banh Chung and Banh Giay in the Tam Dao district and cultural camps throughout the district.

There will also be contests for making Banh Chung and Banh Giay

The Tay Thien Festival offers visitors a spiritual journey to reconnect with tradition and honor ancient virtues, making it an unforgettable experience that provides insight into the soul of Vietnam. Travel to Vietnam to enjoy this enriching experience and immerse yourself in its cultural heritage.