1. General introduction to the Nguyen Cong Tru temple festival
Nguyen Cong Tru Temple, located in Quang Thien commune, Ninh Binh province, is where Nguyen Cong Tru is worshipped, a person who contributed to pioneering, attracting people, and establishing the Kim Son region.
The Festival of Nguyen Cong Tru Temple is an occasion for people to remember the doanh điền sứ who reclaimed land and established the district. (Source: Collected)
Nguyen Cong Tru (1778–1858) was not only a famous scholar and official of the feudal era but was also known for his role as a “doanh điền sứ” – one who recruited exiled people, reclaimed land, and formed Kim Son district (also called “golden mountain” in some places) of Ninh Binh.
The Festival of Nguyen Cong Tru Temple is held annually to commemorate his merits: reclaiming land, reclaiming the sea, building settlements, and establishing districts; at the same time, it preserves and spreads the tradition of “drinking water, remembering its source” of the Kim Son community.
The festival is usually held from the 14th to the 16th day of the 11th lunar month each year, coinciding with Nguyen Cong Tru’s death anniversary. The festival not only carries spiritual significance, commemorating the founder, but also plays an important role in preserving the local traditional cultural identity, awakening community solidarity, educating gratitude towards ancestors, and serving as a meeting point between the past and the present, between previous and current generations.
2. Discover the special activities during the festival
2.1. Solemn ceremony
The main ritual is offering incense to commemorate the merits of Nguyen Cong Tru – the one who reclaimed land, reclaimed the sea, established settlements, and contributed to the formation of the Kim Son region.
Solemn incense offering and lễ ceremony create a rare harmonious cultural feature at the Nguyen Cong Tru temple festival. (Source: Collected)
What's special is that the lễ part is performed with the participation of many villages in Kim Son district, and what's very noteworthy is the inclusion of both "luong" (non-believers) and "giao" (believers), with each group maintaining their own rituals, demonstrating harmony and unity within the community.
Throughout the 3 days of the festival (from the 14th to the 16th of the 11th lunar month), people perform rituals such as "Cao Yet" (proclamation), "Chinh Ky" (main ceremony), and "Ta" (gratitude) according to traditional customs, creating a solemn, sacred atmosphere filled with gratitude towards ancestors and forefathers.
The lễ part not only carries spiritual significance but also helps the community remember history, nurture gratitude, and respect those who contributed to building the homeland.
2.2. Traditional festival activities
The festival activities of the Nguyen Cong Tru temple festival bring a lively and bustling atmosphere, combining culture, sports, and art, reflecting the identity of the Kim Son coastal plain region.
A prominent activity is boat racing on the Vac River branch - a characteristic culture of coastal residents, demonstrating the connection between land, water, and the people who reclaimed the land.
In addition, there is Ca Tru singing - a traditional folk art form associated with the name Nguyen Cong Tru. During the festival night, many local artists perform Ca Tru with the dan day (three-stringed lute), cap phach (clappers), often featuring songs composed by Nguyen Cong Tru himself or inspired by the spirit of land reclamation and settlement.
The Temple of Nguyen Cong Tru is a place where visitors can learn about the pioneering journey and legacy left by a Vietnamese celebrity. (Source: Collected)
In addition, the festival part includes folk games, community activities, and cultural and artistic programs: from folk games and sports to cultural and artistic programs, contributing to enriching cultural life and preserving local traditional cultural values.
Thanks to the harmonious combination of the solemn ceremony part and the vibrant festival part, the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple Festival is not only an occasion to remember the past but also a cultural and spiritual playground, attracting local people as well as visitors from all directions, contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Kim Son land.
3. Experiences for Visitors
3.1. Visiting the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple Relic
The work features the traditional architectural style characteristic of the Northern Delta region with a wooden structure, ancient tiled roof, spacious temple yard, and carefully preserved horizontal lacquered boards and couplets.
Nguyen Cong Tru Temple bears the ancient Northern Vietnamese architectural style. (Source: Collected)
The space inside the temple is solemnly arranged to commemorate Nguyen Cong Tru, who contributed to gathering people, reclaiming land, and establishing the old Kim Son district in the 19th century. When strolling through the relic site, visitors can observe the carved panels, explore the history of the land, and learn more about the outstanding individual who left a significant mark on Ninh Binh's culture.
3.2. Explore, Participate in Festivals
During the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple festival, held from the 14th to the 16th of the 11th lunar month, visitors can enjoy many interesting cultural experiences.
Visitors can participate in or watch the incense offering ceremony at the temple. The ritual is attended by many villages in Kim Son district, including both Buddhist and Catholic communities, creating a rare characteristic of the cultural diversity of this land.
Watching boat races on the Vac River is a prominent experience. This is a traditional sport of the coastal alluvial plain residents, recreating the spirit of land reclamation and community strength.
Enjoy Ca Tru performances by local artists. Ca Tru is an art form particularly associated with the celebrity Nguyen Cong Tru, who composed many famous Ca Tru songs.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the village festival atmosphere, experience traditional folk games, cultural performances, enjoy local cuisine, and feel the rich cultural life of Kim Son residents.
These activities ensure that the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple festival is not only a commemorative event but also an opportunity for visitors to learn about the culture, history, and community solidarity of the local people.
4. Combine a Tourist Itinerary around Kim Son
The Nguyen Cong Tru Temple festival not only offers a unique cultural experience but also serves as an ideal starting point for a broader exploration journey in Kim Son and surrounding areas of Ninh Binh province. Visitors can combine many attractive destinations after attending the festival to create a complete trip.
Ninh Binh is a tourist destination rich in cultural and natural resources, so visitors can easily continue their journey after the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple festival with famous landmarks such as:
Trang An: The Trang An Landscape Complex is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site with its magnificent system of underground caves. Visitors can take a boat trip to explore the mountains, caves, and historical sites associated with the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong: Tam Coc is known as "Ha Long Bay on land" with limestone mountains winding along the Ngo Dong River. Bich Dong is an ancient pagoda located on the mountainside, famous for its harmonious landscape of pagoda – mountain – cave.
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral: Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, located in the former Kim Son district, is a unique Catholic architectural work combining Asian and European styles. The complex is mainly built of stone and wood, possessing a rare solemnity and tranquility.
Thung Nham Ecological Tourist Area: Thung Nham is famous for its natural bird garden, beautiful caves, and pristine ecological space. Visitors here can combine cave tours, boat trips, and admire thousands of birds during the gathering season.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital was the first capital of the centralized feudal state of Vietnam. The relic site includes temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, located amidst a limestone valley bearing the imprint of over 1,000 years of history.
Must-try destination when visiting Ninh Binh. (Source: Collected)
Sun World Ha Nam: After experiencing the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple Festival, visitors can travel for about 35 to 45 minutes to reach Sun World Ha Nam. This is a modern entertainment complex with a water puppetry theme and many attractive activities suitable for families and friends.
The Nguyen Cong Tru Temple Festival is an important cultural event of Kim Son district and Ninh Binh province, where people and tourists commemorate the merits of the renowned figure who pioneered this fertile land. Not only does it carry historical value and the spirit of 'drinking water remembering its source', but the festival also creates a vibrant community living space with solemn rituals, exciting boat racing, and traditional art activities such as ca tru. The Nguyen Cong Tru Temple Festival is therefore not only an occasion to honor the merits of ancestors but also an opportunity to explore the natural beauty and unique culture of Ninh Binh.
