The annual Tran Temple Festival opened in Nam Dinh City on September 20 (the twentieth day of the eighth lunar month) to commemorate the 716th death anniversary of General Tran Hung Dao, who was born Tran Quoc Tuan.
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Participants at the incense offering ceremony (Photo: phapluatplus.vn)
The festival opened with an offering of incense followed by cultural and sporting events including lion, kirin and dragon dances; wrestling; cock fighting; and a water puppetry performance.
The activities took place at Tran and Bao Loc Temples and Thap Pagoda in Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City.
The Tran Temple Festival, one of the largest festivals in Nam Dinh Province, is held to commemorate the exploits of the Vietnamese people’s ancestors and to encourage people to promote the fine tradition of their ancestors’ contribution to national construction and defence.
Born in Tuc Mac Village, My Loc District, Nam Dinh Province, General Tran Hung Dao (1228-1300) was a brilliant military strategist in Viet Nam’s history for his leading role in the national struggle against the Yuan Mongol invaders in the 13th Century.
He was also a bright example of patriotism and a man of culture who authored many masterpieces on literature and military matters.