Viet Nam News
HA NAM — Visitors to Doi Son Commune in northern Ha Nam Province this weekend will have the chance to enjoy the Long Doi Son Pagoda Festival that recently commenced in the area.
The festival pays tribute to those who had made significant contributions to the country, such as Buddhist monk Thich Chieu Thuong, General Ly Thuong Kiet and Emperor Ly Nhan Tong.
The festival, a unique cultural event of the commune in particular and the province in general, includes a variety of activities. The highlight is a palanquin procession from the foot of Long Doi Mountain to Long Doi Son Pagoda as well as ceremonies to express gratitude to ancestors.
Other activities include contests of rice cooking, cloth weaving, boat rowing, traditional singing and dancing, in addition to traditional sports such as wrestling and human chess.
The festival is expected to attract many visitors and pilgrims to the region. It will conclude this Sunday (May 6).
As a major landmark of the province with significant cultural, historical and architectural values, Long Doi Son or Doi Son Pagoda was recognised as a special national relic by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in December last year. A ceremony to grant the title certificate was organised on Thursday by the People’s Committee of Ha Nam Province.
The pagoda was built on top of Long Doi Mountain in 1054 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, covering a total area of two hectares. It was expanded between 1118 and 1121 during the rule of King Ly Nhan Tong, along with the construction of Sung Thien Dieu Linh Tower.
In the early 15th century, both Doi Son Pagoda and Sung Thien Dieu Linh tower were completely destroyed when the Ming aggressors invaded the country. Later, under the Le, Mac and Nguyen dynasties, the pagoda was rebuilt and its architecture was gradually restored.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien asked Ha Nam Province authorities to work out an overall planning scheme for the long-term preservation of the relic site.
The relic site management board should install landmarks surrounding the pagoda, promote the dissemination of knowledge about its historical, cultural, scientific and artistic values, prepare plans for restoration and upgrading as well as maintain traditional festive rituals, she said.
Lien also suggested the provincial authorities to uphold the values of local festivals in a bid to further promote tourism in the province. — VNS