Ready for the Tay Thien Festival

Through meticulous and synchronized preparations—from organizational logistics and security measures to landscape beautification and service quality enhancement—Dai Dinh Commune is actively finalizing all conditions to host the 2026 Binh Ngo Spring Tay Thien Festival. Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival serves to honor heritage values and promote the image of the Tay Thien Special National Scenic Site, thereby driving local tourism growth.

The annual Tay Thien Festival attracts tens of thousands of residents and tourists for sightseeing and worship.

The Tay Thien Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the second lunar month at the Tay Thien Scenic Site to commemorate National Mother Lang Thi Tieu (Tam Dao Son Tru Quoc Mau). According to royal annals and folk legends, the National Mother was a native of Dong Lo (now Dai Dinh Commune). As the Chief Consort of the 7th Hung King, she was credited with helping the King defend the nation against invaders while teaching the people to cultivate rice, raise silkworms, and weave cloth, bringing prosperity and peace to the community.

Upon her passing, she was enshrined as the supreme protective deity of the Tam Dao range. The belief in the National Mother of Tay Thien is deeply intertwined with the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship, a unique and influential aspect of the nation’s spiritual and folk cultural life.

Functional forces reminding local businesses at Tay Thien Scenic Site of State regulation compliance.

To ensure a solemn, safe, and civilized 2026 Spring Festival, Dai Dinh Commune has developed detailed scripts and proactively coordinated with various agencies and local villages.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan – Vice Chairman of the Dai Dinh People’s Committee – stated: "The 2026 Tay Thien Festival will take place from April 2nd to 4th (the 15th to 17th day of the second lunar month). The festival aims to educate on patriotic traditions and remember the National Mother’s merits while upholding the “When drinking water, remember its source” moral code. We hope to mobilize community support for the preservation of this heritage, gradually establishing Tay Thien as a premier spiritual tourism destination in the region."

According to the official plan, the 2026 Binh Ngo Spring Tay Thien Festival will consist of two primary components: the ceremonial rituals and the festive activities. The ceremonies will be conducted with great solemnity, featuring traditional rituals such as the Announcement Ceremony, the Palanquin Procession, the Opening Ceremony, and the Thanksgiving Ritual. These ceremonies hold profound spiritual significance, expressing the people’s deep reverence for the National Mother of Tay Thien. Meanwhile, the festivities will offer a diverse range of cultural, sporting, and tourism activities, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the early spring season. Highlights include the traditional Tay Thien Volleyball Championship, cultural heritage exhibitions, the promotion of local tourism products, and specialized art performances for visitors.

Furthermore, the festival will showcase rich folk traditions, including festival drumming, the practice of the Mother Goddess Worship of the Three Realms at the Upper Temple, and contests for making traditional cakes like Banh Chung, Banh Gio, and Banh Day. Cultural camps, musical exchanges, and Soong Co folk singing performances will also be featured. These activities are designed not only as festive highlights but also as a means to preserve and promote local traditional values.

To ensure public order and preserve the festival’s traditional beauty, the Dai Dinh Commune Police have proactively advised local authorities on the strict implementation of state regulations regarding festival management. A comprehensive security plan has been established, mobilizing forces to manage services and religious activities, ensure traffic safety, and prevent fire hazards. Functional forces will increase patrols and inspections to prevent security “hotspots,” ensuring a safe and healthy environment. Additionally, residency management and inspections of business establishments are being prioritized to foster a civilized and friendly atmosphere for pilgrims and tourists.

Cable car services at Tay Thien provide great convenience for tourists during their visit.

The local government is also focusing on service management within the relic site, encouraging business households to publicly list prices, avoid soliciting customers, and ensure food safety and environmental hygiene. The availability of cable car services further provides convenience for visitors exploring the scenic landscape. With thorough and synchronized preparations, the 2026 Tay Thien Festival promises to be a solemn, safe, and identity-rich event. It serves as both an occasion for the public to pay tribute to the National Mother and a golden opportunity to honor cultural heritage and promote the Tay Thien Special National Scenic Site, ultimately driving local economic development.

Thuy Huong