Happy thoughts: The week-long Huyen Tran Festival is being held at Huyen Tran Temple on Ngu Phong Mountain in Hue's An Tay Commune. — VNS Photo Thai Loc

HUE — A traditional festival to pray for peace and happiness began yesterday at Huyen Tran Cultural Centre in Hue.

The Huyen Tran Temple Festival begins on the ninth day of the first month of the lunar new year, featuring three cultural events that highlight the historic royal city's culture and lifestyle.

The annual event's opening ceremony included a prayer and ritual ceremony featuring Buddhist monks from the board of the Buddhist Association of Thua Thien – Hue Province to pray for peace and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon.

During the festival, dozens of traditional theatre, music and song programmes will be staged by members of professional and amateur art troupes.

Traditional games such as chess and martial arts will feature several hundred people as well as masters of kung fu.

Visitors will also enjoy open-air culinary and flower-arranging activities.

A poetry night festival will be organised on the event's last day, attracting dozens of veteran and young artists in Hue and neighbouring provinces.

Thua Thien-Hue first hosted the Huyen Tran Temple Festival in 2008.

The temple worships both Princess Huyen Tran, and her father, King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308).

It is located in Princess Huyen Tran Cultural Centre, about 7km from Hue City at Ngu Phong Mountain in An Tay Commune.

The festival is expected to attract 50,000 visitors. — VNS