Sacred autumn space of Con Son – Kiep Bac
Every autumn, the sacred land of Con Son – Kiep Bac in Tran Hung Dao ward, Hai Phong city, comes alive with a festive atmosphere.
Nation’s soul
The Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival is held annually to commemorate the death anniversary of National Hero Tran Hung Dao. It is not merely a cultural and spiritual activity but also a day of gratitude and remembrance for the forefathers.
At Kiep Bac temple, the festive space is imbued with the fragrance of incense, the echo of drums and gongs, and the solemn chants of elders in flag processions and worship rituals. Traditional rites such as the seal-opening ceremony, peace prayers, flag and incense offering are solemnly reenacted, evoking the majestic image of Tran Hung Dao, Grand Commander-in-Chief of the nation.
At Con Son, closely linked to the life and career of National Hero and World Cultural Figure Nguyen Trai, pagoda and wooden bells resound. The incense-offering ceremony at Nguyen Trai’s temple is solemnly held to honor the great intellectual who devoted his life to the country. Visitors feel as though they are traveling back through glorious chapters of history, experiencing the nation’s very soul in each ritual.
“I was deeply moved during the road procession. The sight of hundreds of locals and visitors solemnly heading toward Kiep Bac temple made me truly feel the spirit of unity and national pride,” said Pham Thi Lien, a visitor from Ha Noi.
Connecting communities, spreading values
More than a remembrance of the forefathers’ contributions, the Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival is also a grand celebration for the people. For generations, locals have considered it an occasion for descendants from near and far to return to their roots with national pride.
During the festival days, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the site. The space around the Luc Dau river, Rong mountain, Phuong Hoang mountain, Con Son pagoda, etc. is filled with the colors of festivity. Alongside traditional rituals are folk games, traditional singing, etc., vividly reflecting the rich spiritual life of the Red River Delta’s people.
“What impressed me most was the intimacy of the festival. Here, locals are not just spectators but also participants and the true hosts of the celebration. I could feel the community bond and the pride in preserving and passing on traditions,” said Tran Van Hoang, a young visitor from Da Nang.
This year’s Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival carries special significance. It is the first major festival after the Hai Phong – Hai Duong merger, following the city’s first Party Congress, and the first celebration since the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. This further affirms the site’s outstanding global value and elevates the festival as a source of pride not only for the people of Hai Phong but also for the entire nation.
The event also contributes to the development of cultural and spiritual tourism, creating livelihoods for local people. Many families now offer homestay services and introduce traditional cuisine, both increasing income and helping preserve their cultural identity.
In the context of global integration, when traditional values face many challenges, the Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival serves as a spiritual anchor, a reminder that the Vietnamese people always honor their ancestors, cherish their heritage, and transform tradition into strength for the future.
LINH HUY