Hien Quan Phet Festival in 2024.

Hien Quan Phet Festival in 2024 was held on February 21 and 22 (lunar January 12 and 13) at Hien Quan commune, Tam Nong district. Although there was no Phet beating, traditional rites like as offerings were observed, and the parade is still carried out.

The celebration honors and commemorates Princess Thieu Hoa, a female commander who gathered warriors and gave her life to aid Hai Ba Trung repel the Han invaders. After winning the struggle in Thai Binh country, she requested to return to Song Quan village (now Hien Quan commune), practice at the Phuc Khanh temple, and teach people how to harvest rice.

Offer incense to remember the merits of female general Thieu Hoa.

The Phet Hien Quan Festival exemplifies the martial spirit and commemorates the great contributions of female general Thieu Hoa, her generals, and insurgents, thereby educating patriotism, pride, and national self-respect, as well as our ancestors' indomitable tradition of building and defending the country.

The event took held in a solem atmosphere.

Legend has it that in order to educate soldiers, she came up with the concept of slicing a bamboo root into a circle (the big one is called Phet, the smaller one is named Chui) and dividing the army to battle Phet - meaning both sides discover a means to pull out Phet from the specified scope.

Three Phet and three Chui fruits are respectfully exhibited at the event.

The palanquin procession starts at 12:30 on January 12. On the palanquin are ordinations, tablets, and Phet fruit stored in the forbidden palace of the village community house since the 10th day of the tenth lunar month. The palanquin is transported from the community home to the temple, accompanied by guards.

Flags evoke the military spirit of the past.

Following the palanquin procession and military parade, a rituals is held. The Phet playing part will not be held in 2024 owing to inadequate facilities and the Phet playing field, which do not ensure the safety of the Phet playing part and festival participants.

People celebrate healthfully and safely.

However, locals continue to be eager to attend festivals, participate in healthy cultural and entertainment events, and reflect on the heroic and indomitable past of Hien Quan, a place rich in traditional cultural values.

Thuy Trang