1. Overview of the Thai Vi Temple Festival
1.1. Where does the Thai Vi Temple Festival take place?
The Thai Vi Temple Festival takes place in Van Lam village, Nam Hoa Lu ward, Ninh Binh province. The temple is located in the heart of the poetic Tam Coc valley, surrounded by limestone mountains and lush green rice fields, creating a sacred and peaceful atmosphere. When visitors come here during the festival season, the natural scenery blends with the vibrant atmosphere, making the journey more special, as if stepping into an ancient memory of the Ancient Capital region.
The festival of Thai Vi Temple takes place in Van Lam village, Nam Hoa Lu ward, Ninh Binh province. (Source: Collected)
1.2. Festival Schedule
The festival of Thai Vi Temple is held annually from the 14th to the 16th of the third lunar month. The full moon day marks the main festival period, characterized by the most solemn and vibrant atmosphere. Notably, once every three years, the villagers of Van Lam organize a grand festival, also known as the communal festival, attracting a large number of visitors from all directions. On the 14th of the third lunar month, local residents perform the ritual of opening the temple gates and escorting the sacred incense bowl to Dinh Cac, initiating a series of rituals deeply imbued with the traditional essence of the ancient capital region.
Besides the third lunar month festival, the people of Van Lam also maintain the ritual of bathing the statue, also known as the "Le Moc Duc" ceremony, on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month each year. The water used in this ritual is drawn from Ngoc well, located right in front of the temple, symbolizing purity and reverence for the ancestors. Visitors wishing to fully explore the cultural beauty of this place can visit the temple during the festival season to better experience the sacred, warm, and community-oriented atmosphere of the festival of Thai Vi Temple .
1.3. Significance of the Thai Vi Temple Festival
The festival of Thai Vi Temple carries a profound meaning of gratitude towards the Tran kings and the ancestors who contributed to building and defending the nation during the glorious historical period of the country. It is not only an occasion for the people of Van Lam to express their gratitude and preserve traditions but also helps visitors clearly feel the spirit of solidarity, pride, and cultural values preserved through generations. By immersing themselves in the bustling atmosphere of the festival, visitors feel as if they are returning to a bygone era, where stories of the Dong A heroic spirit still echo amidst the peaceful Tam Coc mountains.
2. Origin and History of the Festival
The festival of Thai Vi Temple originates from the tradition of honoring the Tran kings and heroes who made significant contributions to building and defending the nation, particularly King Tran Thai Tong. According to historical records, after the victory against the first Mongol invasion, King Tran Thai Tong abdicated the throne to Crown Prince Hoang, later King Tran Thanh Tong, and retreated to the Truong Yen mountain region to practice asceticism. In this land of Ninh Hai (now Nam Hoa Lu), he gathered people to establish settlements, transforming the wild mountainous area into the prosperous Van Lam village. This great contribution earned him immense respect and admiration from the people, thus forming the custom of annual worship and festival organization in his memory.
The Thai Vi Temple Festival is an event to honor the Tran kings and the heroes who contributed to building and defending the nation. (Source: Collected)
After King Tran Thai Tong passed away at the age of sixty, the people built a temple to worship him, along with Hien Tu Hoang Thai Hau Thuan Thien and King Tran Thanh Tong. The name Thai Vi originates from the fact that this place was once the place of religious retreat for a Tran Emperor, closely associated with special historical and spiritual values. Thanks to its profound significance, in 1994, Thai Vi Temple was recognized as an important National Historical and Cultural Relic. For tourists, the journey to learn about the Thai Vi Temple Festival is also a journey back to the glorious historical flow of the nation.
3. Outstanding Rituals and Activities in the Thai Vi Temple Festival
3.1. Traditional Palanquin Procession Ceremony
The Thai Vi Temple Festival leaves a deep impression on visitors with its traditional rituals imbued with reverence and cultural pride. Among these, the palanquin procession is an extremely important opening ritual of the main festival day. This is not only a spiritual event but also an occasion for visitors to clearly feel the solemn and bustling atmosphere of the festival in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
What is special is that the procession at Thai Vi Temple involves over thirty palanquin procession teams from many villages and hamlets within Nam Hoa Lu commune and surrounding areas. Each procession team consists of three elaborately prepared palanquins, from the parallel palanquins for courtiers, the eight-pillar palanquins for the king, to the hammock palanquins for queens or princesses. The palanquins are brightly decorated, with colorful parasols, creating a joyful yet sacred scene.
The ceremony begins when the teams depart from their local đình (communal house) or temple to gather at Dinh Cac, and then together they process into Thai Vi Temple for the king's worship ceremony. The procession from the host village leads, followed by the procession from Hanh Cung village, and then successively by the processions from other villages and communes, even including a procession from Dong Hoa Lu commune, where Princess Tran Huyen Tran is worshipped. As the procession enters the temple, the torch procession ritual is solemnly performed. People bring incense into the sanctuary to offer sacrifices, then carry the sacred fire out to the dragon courtyard and light it on the stone altar in front of the temple, creating a mystical and sacred space. All these elements combine to create a unique ritual of the Thai Vi Temple Festival, leaving visitors both awestruck and moved by the traditional beauty preserved through generations.
3.2. Worship and Incense Offering Ceremony
In the sacred atmosphere of the Thai Vi Temple Festival, the worship and incense offering rituals always hold a special and important position. This is the most solemn part of the ceremony, demonstrating the people's sincere devotion to the Tran kings. Each palanquin procession team has its own worship committee, consisting of elders and village dignitaries. The main worship committee has five people, including the chief worshipper who presides over the ceremony, two assistants, and two accompanying worshippers. Around the worship committee are other officials, including the announcer, the conductor, the ritual object bearer, and the drummer, all performing their duties according to the traditional rituals preserved over many generations.
The ceremony was performed solemnly, showing the people's reverence for the Tran kings. (Source: Collected)
Following the procession were nine elders reciting nine ritual songs praising the merits of the Tran kings, especially King Tran Thai Tong. The lyrics, performed through traditional performing arts, created a solemn yet profoundly moving atmosphere. After each ritual song, two members of the troupe continued the ceremony with male instrumental music and female Ca Tru singing, explaining the meaning of each lyric. All blended together to create a solemn incense offering ritual, showcasing a unique cultural feature found only at Thai Vi Temple and leaving visitors with unforgettable emotions.
3.3. Cultural Activities and Folk Games
After the solemn ceremony, the Thai Vi Temple Festival entered its celebratory phase with distinctive cultural activities and folk games. This is an occasion for the villagers of Van Lam and visitors from afar to immerse themselves in the joyful and bustling atmosphere of the festival. Numerous traditional games were organized, such as rice cooking contests, boat races, board games, swings, and tug-of-war, along with colorful dragon and lion dance performances. The festival space extended from the Thai Vi Temple area to the Tam Coc boat dock, where crowds of people flocked to participate in and enjoy entertainment activities deeply imbued with the cultural identity of the Hoa Lu region.
The festival atmosphere became even more vibrant with the convergence of numerous visitors from all directions. The sounds of drums and gongs echoed throughout the space, blending with the smooth melodies of Ca Tru performed by artisans, creating a lively and traditional soundscape. Each activity, each cheer, seemed to breathe more life into the picturesque landscape. With its beauty harmonizing nature and ancient culture, the Thai Vi Temple Festival always leaves visitors with unforgettable memories of a festival deeply rooted in tradition.
4. Combine with Visits to Famous Ninh Binh Attractions
4.1. Tam Coc - Bich Dong
Tam Coc Bich Dong is renowned as the "Inland Ha Long," where visitors can take a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River amidst golden ripe rice fields, enjoying the scenery of majestic mountains reflected on the clear water. The journey takes visitors through three mystical natural caves, combined with the serene atmosphere of Bich Dong Pagoda nestled against the mountainside, creating an experience that is both poetic and contemplative.
Admire the poetic, picturesque landscape at Tam Coc - Bich Dong. (Source: Collected)
4.2. Hang Mua
Hang Mua attracts tourists with a winding path of over 500 stone steps leading to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain, offering a majestic panoramic view of Tam Coc from above. The scenery is most beautiful during the ripe rice season, when the fields below are brilliantly golden. Not only attractive for its landscape, Hang Mua also offers a gentle sense of conquest and is a top check-in spot in Ninh Binh.
4.3. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital preserves the glorious imprints of the Dinh and Le dynasties, offering tourists a memorable journey back in time. Ancient temples, moss-covered stone walls, and the surrounding limestone mountains create a rare solemn atmosphere. Every step here evokes the nation's heroic period of nation-building.
4.4. Sun World Ha Nam
Sun World Ha Nam is a modern entertainment complex that helps tourists unwind after exploring the scenic spots. The vast water park features many modern slides, wave pools, and landscapes inspired by Northern Vietnamese culture, creating a vibrant yet familiar atmosphere. It is an ideal choice for young groups or families seeking relaxation and fun on their trip.
Tourists enjoy themselves to their heart's content at Sun World Ha Nam. (Source: Cong Ly Newspaper)
Thai Vi Temple Festival is not just a journey back to the historical memory but also an opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in the traditional culture and the natural beauty of Ninh Binh. Each ritual, each activity carries a sacred value, evoking national pride and leaving an unforgettable impression. If tourists are looking for a destination rich in identity, full of emotion, and full of experiences, plan to visit the festival in the upcoming season to personally feel the unique beauty of the ancient capital Hoa Lu.
