Kiep Bac Festival in Hanoi

Located in Hung Dao Commune, Chi Linh District, Hai Duong Province, Kiep Bac temple celebrates Kiep Bac Festival in Hanoi with much pomp and splendor. Millions of people throng the Kiep Bac temple to participate in the festivities. The festival takes place from the 15th to 20th days of the eighth lunar month, when autumn is in its full bloom. The temple is dedicated to Trân Quôc Tuân who put up a valiant show in three wars against the Yuan-Mongolian invaders in the 13th century. Many believed that he had magical healing powers and he came to be known as Saint Tran. Kiep Bac Festival in Hanoi is celebrated every year on the death anniversary of Saint Tran. The place was one of his hideouts and the temple was built in the memory of the saint.

Features of Kiep Bac Festival in Hanoi:

  -   Colorful processions start on the morning of the 20th day from Van Yen, Duoc Son and Con Son for the temple.
  -   After all the processions gather at the gateway to the temple at a definite time, the ritual of incense offering takes place.
  -   The head of the religious ceremony delivers a speech to commemorate the efforts of Tran Hung Dao and the history of the anti-Yuan-Mongolian struggle during the Tran regime. After the deliverance of the funeral oration by the officiant, people offer incense sticks.
  -   A vibrant ceremony characterized by a palanquin procession takes place after the completion of the incense-offering ritual.
  -   The blessed tablet of Saint Tran is kept in a red lacquered and gold gilded palanquin embellished with dragon and lion dancers around.
  -   The procession leaves the dock accompanied by enthusiastic drumbeats, gong and horn sounds and the zeal of the followers.
  -   A major attraction of the festival is the race of dozens of boats on the Luc Dau River.
  -   The enthusiastic people come from nearby Hanoi and other places beyond.
  -   All gather with the belief that Vietnam is a country that will never succumb to a foreign power.
  -   Notwithstanding the modern elements that have been incorporated to the festival, it has retained its traditional fervor. Trances and sacrifices are no longer the essential features of the festival. The festival is expected to encompass each and every person of the nation by 2010.

Season of Kiep Bac Festival in Hanoi: The festival is held to commemorate the valiant activities of the national leader Tran Hung Dao against the Chinese on from the 15th to 20th days of the Lunar month.

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