Opening ceremony of Giam Pagoda Traditional Festival 2026

On the morning of April 1 (the 14th day of the second lunar month), at the Special National Relic Site of Giam Pagoda in Cam Giang Commune, Hai Phong, the Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Site Management Board, in coordination with the People’s Committee of Cam Giang Commune and the Giam Pagoda Management Board, held the opening ceremony of the 2026 Giam Pagoda Traditional Festival to commemorate the 626th anniversary of the passing of the great physician and Zen master Tue Tinh (1400–2026).

The opening ceremony was held in a solemn and respectful atmosphere to commemorate the great contributions of Tue Tinh, regarded as the founding father of traditional Vietnamese medicine. It also expressed deep gratitude to the patriarchs worshiped at the pagoda. The event served as an opportunity to inspire national pride, strengthen the spirit of unity and self-reliance, and continue preserving and spreading valuable heritage values—especially traditional medicine—in contemporary life.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of central agencies, traditional medicine organizations, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha of Hai Phong, leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, local authorities, representatives of medical institutions and training establishments, as well as numerous monks, nuns, Buddhists, residents, and visitors from across the country.

Giam Pagoda (or Nghiem Quang Tu) was originally built during the Ly Dynasty and has undergone several restorations and renovations. Today, it features a large-scale architectural complex arranged in the traditional layout. The pagoda preserves many distinctive historical and cultural values, most notably the Cuu Pham Lien Hoa Tower—a National Treasure dating back to the 17th century, which stands as an outstanding example of Vietnamese folk architecture and sculpture.

Giam Pagoda is not only a well-known religious center of the Xu Dong region but is also closely associated with the life and career of Zen master Tue Tinh. Born into difficult circumstances, he was raised at the pagoda, developed an early connection with Buddhism, and devoted his entire life to the study of medicine. With the philosophy: Vietnamese herbs cure Vietnamese people, he researched and developed the nation’s traditional medicine. He left behind many valuable works such as “Hong Nghia Giac Tu Y Thu” and “Nam Duoc Than Hieu,” which helped lay the foundation for Vietnamese traditional medicine.

The Giam Pagoda Festival is held annually and has become a meaningful spiritual and cultural event that attracts a large number of local residents and visitors. Since 2017, Giam Pagoda, together with the Xua Temple and Bia Temple complex, has been recognized as a Special National Relic Site.

Notably, from July 1, 2025, the Giam Pagoda relic site was transferred to the Con Son – Kiep Bac Relic Site Management Board for management, helping enhance conservation efforts and strengthen connections in promoting the value of the city’s notable historical and cultural heritage complexes.

Following the ceremonial drum and bell signals marking the opening of the festival, representatives of the Festival Organizing Committee formally presented the life and career of the great physician and Zen master Tue Tinh.

Following this, in a solemn atmosphere, delegates together with monks, nuns, Buddhists, and local residents respectfully performed the incense-offering ritual at the main hall of Giam Pagoda. Each stick of incense symbolized deep gratitude to the nation’s great physician, while praying for peace and prosperity for the country and health and well-being for the people.

The incense-offering ceremony was conducted in accordance with traditional rituals, ensuring solemnity and contributing to highlighting the distinctive spiritual and cultural values of the festival.

Through its various activities, the festival helps honor heritage values and widely promote the traditional Vietnamese medical philosophy associated with the nation’s identity. It also supports the goal of proposing that Tue Tinh be recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Celebrity by 2030.

The festival is not only an occasion to pay tribute to a distinguished historical figure, but also contributes to affirming the significance of Vietnam’s traditional medicine. At the same time, it helps promote the image of Giam Pagoda relic site to a wide audience both domestically and internationally.

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