VietNamNet Bridge – The Tran Temple Festival will open in the northern Thai Binh Province from the 13th to the 16th of the first lunar month, or February 20 to 23.

Fun for all: Clay firecracker contests at Tran Temple in Thai Binh always attract a big audience. — Photo baomoi.com

The festival, one of the largest annual spring festivals in Viet Nam, will take place at the national historical complex of the Tran Kings' shrines and tombs in Tien Duc Commune, Hung Ha District.

It will begin with an incense-offering rite at the kings' tombs and a ritual for the opening of the gates of Den Thanh (Thanh Temple), Den Mau (Mother Temple) and the Tran Kings' shrines.

They will be followed by a ‘water procession', in which about 1,000 people will carry nine ornate palanquins with memorial plaques of the Kings of the Tran Dynasty and members of their royal families.

On the opening night, an hour-long performance entitled Sang Mai Mot Vuong Trieu (A Dynasty Shines Forever) will feature Tran Dynasty (1225-1440) milestones to pay tribute to the dynasty's service to the country.

A series of folk games will also be organised during the festival, such as a rice-cooking challenge, clay firecrackers, chung (sticky rice) cake wrapping and tug of war, alongside traditional performances and sport games.

The Tran Temple Festival was recognised as a national intangible heritage in 2014. The historical complex of the Tran Kings' shrines and tombs received special national relic status last year.

The Tran Dynasty repelled the Yuan-Mongols on three occasions, making it the most brilliant reign in Vietnamese history.

Thai Binh is considered the birthplace of the Tran Kings, while Nam Dinh was their first residential area. The festival is also held at the Tran temple complex in the neighbouring Nam Dinh Province during the first lunar month every year.

VNS