Opening of the 2026 Lang Suong Temple Festival

On March 3 (the 15th day of the first lunar month), at the Lang Suong Temple National Historic Site, Tu Vu Commune officially opened the 2026 Lang Suong Temple Festival.

The water procession and palanquin move from the Da River to Lang Suong Temple.

Lang Suong Temple was ranked as a National Historic and Cultural Site in 2005. By 2018, the Lang Suong Temple Traditional Festival was officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

As legend, Madam Dinh Thi Den married Mr. Nguyen Cao Hanh, but they remained childless into their old age. One day, a golden dragon descended to a well to drink water and breathed out precious pearls. Madam Den used that water to bathe, suddenly feeling light and fragrant, and subsequently conceived. She later gave birth to Tan Vien (Saint Tan Vien) at Lang Suong Cave in Tu Vu Commune.

Delegates offer incense at the ceremony.

Leaders of Tu Vu Commune beat the drum to open the festival.

Saint Tan Vien is one of the “Four Immortals” in Vietnamese folk belief. He is revered for helping the people control floods, reclaim land, teaching wet-rice cultivation, slaying wild beasts, and repelling foreign invaders. To commemorate his great merits, people established temples dedicated to the Mountain God of Tan Vien across many regions, offering incense in gratitude year-round.

However, Lang Suong Temple is unique as the only site that worships Saint Tan’s entire family, including: his father Nguyen Cao Hanh, his mother Dinh Thi Den, his foster mother Ma Thi Cao Son, his wife Princess Ngoc Hoa, and his two loyal generals, Cao Son and Quy Minh.

The offering ritual is performed according to traditional rites.

At the opening ceremony, the Organizing Committee performed the water procession ritual from the Da River wharf to Lang Suong Temple, followed by the drum-beating and gong-striking ceremony to commence the festival. Delegates respectfully offered incense, flowers, and ritual gifts to honor Saint Tan, his family, and his generals. This was followed by a solemn sacrificial ceremony and public incense offerings.

A special artistic performance at the opening.

Following the formal opening ceremony, the Festive Section with traditional cultural activities attracted a large number of visitors, creating an atmosphere of solidarity and excitement, all aiming toward the goal of building an increasingly prosperous and thriving Tu Vu homeland.

Duc Anh