Location: Located in Binh Minh Commune, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, about 25 from Hanoi along the Red River.
Characteristics: The temple worships Saint Chu Dong Tu, who has been honored as one of four immortal Vietnamese spirits, and his wife, Princess Tien Dung, who was the daughter of 18th King Hung. He is in charge of teaching Vietnamese people how to do business, weaving and fishing to get a prosperous and joyful life.
Chu Dong Tu is one of the four immortals in traditional mythology of Vietnam, who is in charge of teaching people to do business, fishing and weaving in order to have a joyful and prosperous life.
Each year, Chu Dong Tu festival is organized within three days, from the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month at two beautiful temples of Da Hoa and Da Trach. During the festival, pilgrims in colourful dress converge on the two temple.
At Da Trach Temple
The legend has it that Da Trach Temple was built on the former high platform of Chu Dong Tu and Princess Tien Dung’s castle and citadel, after they returned to the Heaven. Once a year, villagers in traditional ao dais and sarongs make their way to the temple of Chu Dong Tu to make offerings of incense, flowers and candles. They say prayers for the soul of the famous fisherman and for their friends and family who risk their lives by fishing out at sea.
Pilgrims in colourful dress converge on the temples
The majestic procession is led by golden-dragon dancers, flag carriers, drummers, an octet of instrument players, eight carriers of offering weapons, sinh tien dancers, long dinh palanquin, water big-bellied jar palanquin, conical hat palanquin, walking palanquin and three palanquins carrying statues of Chu Dong Tu and Princess Tien Dung.
When the procession arrives in Red river, at the same time, a dragon boat from the Tu Nhien (Nature) alluvial plain comes to join the procession. On the river, flags fluttering in the wind, golden dragon effigies waving and the bustling sound of drums make the procession splendid and ebullient.
At Da Hoa Temple
In the early morning of the 10th, the inhabitants of nine communes hold a long procession along the dyke of the Red River to Da Hoa Temple. Marching in the van of the procession is Hoang Trach Commune. Following are Dong Que, Bang Nha, Phu Thi, Phuc Trach, Thiet Tru, Nhan Thap, Da Hoa communes, and finally Me So Commune.
The majestic procession is led by golden-dragon dancers, flag carriers, drummers, an octet of instrument players,
When the procession reaches the temple, palanquins and offerings are placed at a stipulated place. Then, the members of the procession and pilgrims begin the opening ceremony at the courtyard. As the opening ceremony and incense presenting ceremony end, people participate in traditional games that take place during day and night.
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