The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recently issued decisions recognizing 36 practices as part of Vietnam’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Among them, two belong to Nghe An Province: the Yen Luong Temple Festival (Cua Lo Town) and the Nguyen Canh Hoan Temple Festival (Do Luong District).

With these new additions, Nghe An now boasts a total of nine intangible cultural heritages recognized at the national level.

Previously recognized heritages include the Con Temple Festival (Hoang Mai Town), Qua Temple Festival (Do Luong District), Chín Gian Temple Festival (Que Phong District), Bach Ma Temple Festival (Thanh Chuong District), Thanh Liet Temple Festival (Hung Nguyen District), Ong Hoang Muoi Temple Festival (Hung Nguyen District), and the Xang Khan Ritual of the Thai ethnic people in western Nghe An.

Yen Luong Temple Festival: A coastal cultural legacy

Also known as the “Phuc Luc Ngoat” Festival, the Yen Luong Temple Festival takes place in mid-June of the lunar calendar at Yen Luong Temple in Nghi Thuy Ward, Cua Lo Town. The name “Luc Ngoat” refers to the number six – symbolizing both the sixth lunar month and six key ceremonial acts (including rituals for heaven and earth, spirit invocation, procession, fish blessing, ancestral worship, and thanksgiving). The term “ngoat” implies the cyclical and unalterable nature of the event.

This large-scale coastal festival, held once every three years in the years of the Rat, Horse, Cat, and Rooster, spans three days (14th to 16th of the sixth lunar month). It is one of the most prominent and distinct traditional festivals in coastal Nghe An, drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike.

Nguyen Canh Hoan Temple Festival: Honoring a loyal warrior

Held in Trang Son Commune (Do Luong District), this festival pays tribute to Thai Pho Tan Quoc Cong Nguyen Canh Hoan and other deified ancestors of the Nguyen Canh family.

Born in 1521 (Year of the Snake), Nguyen Canh Hoan was a brilliant and virtuous figure who served under the Le dynasty during turbulent times. A brave and strategic general, he earned his place in history through numerous victories against the Mac dynasty, becoming a symbol of patriotism and loyalty to the people.

Binh Minh