1. Brief summary of Bach Dang festival
-Β Β Origin of Bach Dang festival
Bach Dang Festival, also known by locals as the Battle Death Festival, is an annual traditional cultural activity held to commemorate and express gratitude to the people of Quang Yen in particular and the Vietnamese people in general with national heroes. At Bach Dang River, history recorded three heroic battles of our people, winning against the Northern invaders. This place is a shining mark in more than 4,000 years of national history, a place that marks the marks of the heroes who fell to keep the country's borders in peace. Therefore, even after dozens of centuries, the people of Quang Yen still organize festivals every year to show gratitude to their ancestors.
-Β Β Time and location of Bach Dang festival
Bach Dang Festival is held periodically on the 6th to 9th day of the third lunar month every year. There are also five longer festivals, up to four days and nights. The festival space is held at the historical relic complex - the place marking the Bach Dang victory. The main locations where festival activities take place include Tran Hung Dao temple, Vua Ba temple, Trung Ban communal house, Dien Cong communal house, Trung Coc temple and the festival center at Yen Giang communal house.
-Β Β Meaning of Bach Dang festival
All activities of the Bach Dang festival are associated with the Bach Dang river - the legendary river that has recorded the resounding victories of our nation. According to ancient documents, Bach Dang River is located at the gateway of the North, surrounded by a system of dangerous mountains and many caves and forests, so this special terrain is extremely favorable. Let our troops arrange defense. That is also the reason Bach Dang River has gone down in history with 3 great victories in the long history of building and defending the country of our people:
The festival recreates the resounding victories of our people on the Bach Dang River
In 938, Ngo Quyen - the first king of the Ngo Dynasty commanded our army and people to crush the Southern Han invaders to end more than 1,000 years of Northern domination and affirm the nation's right to independence.
The second time was in 981, under the command of General Le Hoan, once again our army and people completely defeated the Song Dynasty invaders to firmly protect our country's borders.
The third time, in 1288, Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, with his strategic talent, together with the two Tran kings and our army and people, destroyed and captured all the powerful naval forces of the Yuan invaders. Butt. O Ma Nhi, the leader of the Mongol Yuan army, expanded its territory throughout the Asian countries at that time, but had to hastily retreat after being defeated on the Bach Dang River, and was captured alive by our army and people.
When it comes to our country's history, we have countless prides, in which the victories on the Bach Dang River always remain forever, making generations of descendants of dragons and fairies proud of a small country like Vietnam, but With the spirit of national solidarity, we have always won and repelled the invasions of the most powerful empires of that time, maintaining national sovereignty.
The heroic and fiery atmosphere of the Bach Dang festival
For the people here, the victories on the Bach Dang River are not only the merit of talented generals but also of all our soldiers and people, who were ready to sacrifice for the glorious victory and independence of Vietnam. nation. This is what creates the humanity and unique value of this traditional festival.
2. Activities of Bach Dang festival
Mother Mary's death anniversary - praying for the souls of soldiers who died in battles is held at King Ba temple (only women of the country who have contributed to helping our troops fight the enemy). Along with that, an activity that many people enjoy and look forward to is the procession of statues from Tran Hung Dao temple to Yen Giang communal house and vice versa. On the 7th day of the lunar calendar, the statue of Saint Tran will be placed on the throne along with the statues of the First and Second Vuong Co (his two daughters) to be taken from the temple to the communal house to hold the ceremony, with the hope of The people's prayers are to receive the protection and protection of the village tutelary god, to have good health and luck. On the 8th day, the statue will be brought back to the temple for worship.
What is quite interesting is that the people of Quang Yen have a long-standing custom of letting children pass through the palanquin to process the tutelary god, with the wish of being blessed with good health, good study, and high scores. Wherever the procession goes, people will gather and join the party there, everyone will come out to burn incense and respectfully pay respect to the Monsignor.
3. Bach Dang Festival is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage
In 2012, Quang Yen town compiled a file and was approved by the Prime Minister with Decision No. 1419 classifying the Bach Dang Victory Monument complex as a special national monument. On February 18, 2013, the Prime Minister continued to sign Decision No. 322 for the Master Plan to Preserve and promote the value of the Bach Dang Victory Historical Relic Area. In 2021, in order to preserve long-standing traditional cultural values, preserve festivals and customs expressing the spirit of solidarity, when drinking water, remember its source, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has signed a decision to include Bach Dang festival in the list of national intangible cultural heritage. This is an affirmation of the position, role and meaning of this festival, motivating the locality to take steps to preserve and further develop its historical significance as well as create a highlight in Ha Long tourism.
Bach Dang Festival is held every year to pay tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of previous generations, while affirming the spirit of solidarity and patriotism of our nation. This has contributed significantly to educating the younger generation about traditions and responsibility to the nation, to be worthy of the heroic history that their ancestors have woven. So if you have the opportunity to come to Quang Ninh in the third lunar month, don't miss the opportunity to experience this unique festival!