Tay Thien Festival - A Spiritual and Cultural Rendezvous

Every early spring, the Tay Thien Special National Relic Site welcomes a vast number of pilgrims and tourists. More than just a religious event, the Tay Thien Festival honors historical traditions, contributes to preserving and promoting national cultural identity, and enriches the spiritual life of the people.

Tay Thien stands ready to welcome Buddhists and pilgrims for worship.

Tay Thien has long been known as a sacred land where Mother Goddess worship and Buddhism converge. According to historical records and folk legends, the National Mother of Tay Thien – born Lang Thi Tieu – was a native of Dong Lo (Dai Dinh Commune). She was the Chief Consort of the 7th Hung King, credited with helping the King defend the nation against invaders and teaching the people to grow rice, raise silkworms, and weave silk, bringing prosperity and peace to the land. After her passing, she was enshrined as the “Tam Dao Son Tru Quoc Mau” (The Supreme Mother Goddess and Pillar of the Tam Dao Mountains), the highest divinity protecting the Tam Dao range.

The belief in the National Mother of Tay Thien is closely linked to the Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship (Dao Mau), which has a profound influence on the community’s spiritual life. Across generations, the people have built temples to express gratitude toward this meritorious ancestor. The journey “To Buddha, and back to the Mother” thus carries deep significance, evoking the tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source” and strengthening community bonds.

In the bustling atmosphere of early spring, groups of people solemnly offer incense and immerse themselves in folk cultural activities. The sound of temple bells echoing through the mountains and the scent of incense creating a serene space result in a spring landscape that is both dignified and deeply humanistic. The festival serves not only as a religious destination but also as an environment for preserving and transmitting traditional cultural values.

The Tay Thien Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the second lunar month. The Spring 2026 Festival (taking place from April 2 to 4) harmoniously combines ceremonial and festive parts. The ceremonial part includes traditional rites such as the reporting ceremony, the opening, palanquin processions, and the thanksgiving ceremony. Notably, the palanquin procession on the morning of April 2 features three ceremonial palanquins, meticulously recreating a traditional and identity-rich festival space.

The festive part is vibrant with diverse cultural and sporting activities, including traditional volleyball tournaments; contests for wrapping banh chung, banh gio, and banh day (traditional cakes); and cultural camps. Folk games such as tug-of-war and Chinese chess are featured alongside art programs and festival drumming. Cultural exchanges include Soong Co folk singing performances and the practice of the "Worship of Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms." Additionally, activities to display cultural heritage and introduce tourism products are organized, contributing to the promotion of the Tay Thien - Tam Dao image to visitors.

Mr. Dao Thang – Chairman of Dai Dinh Commune People’s Committee and Head of the Organizing Committee – stated: "To ensure a solemn and safe festival, the locality has implemented comprehensive preparations." This includes renovating the relic premises, strengthening infrastructure, ensuring stable power supplies, and deploying backup generators. Functional forces are coordinating to manage traffic flow, arrange parking, and maintain security and fire safety throughout the event.

The cable car system operates smoothly to meet the needs of pilgrims. Medical teams are stationed at key points to handle any rising situations. The Organizing Committee also prioritizes environmental protection and waste management. Service activities are strictly controlled with publicly listed prices to build a civilized and friendly festival image.

With meticulous preparation and a diverse program, the Tay Thien Festival - Spring 2026 promises to leave a lasting impression. It is not only a spiritual activity but also a way to honor and spread unique cultural values while promoting the image of Tay Thien - Tam Dao to the world.

Thuy Huong