Glowing requiem and lantern festival at Con Son - Kiep Bac
HAI HAU - THANH CHUNG•29/09/2026 08:44
The Organizing Committee of the 2026 Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival solemnly held a requiem and lantern festival at Van Kiep Wharf by the Luc Dau River on the evening of September 28.
The requiem and lantern festival are held to commemorate National Duke and Supreme Commander Tran Quoc Tuan, pay tribute to heroic martyrs, and express wishes for a peaceful country, favorable weather and happiness for every family. In the photo: The Kiep Bac Temple and Van Kiep Wharf areas are illuminated with brilliant lights.The solemn prayer altar by the Luc Dau River stands out against a space illuminated by thousands of lanterns.The nine-story altar tower symbolizes the harmony between heaven and earth, yin and yang. Motifs bearing the imprints of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism converge, creating distinctive features in the ceremonial space.From early on, crowds of people from many localities flock to Kiep Bac Temple, joining the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony night. Each person brings their own wish, all turning toward the sacred space beside the Luc Dau River.From the elderly to young children, multiple generations gather for the requiem and lantern festival. This continuity contributes to the vitality of a cultural and spiritual ritual preserved across generations.In the reverent atmosphere, Buddhists and local residents clasped their hands toward the prayer altar, listening to prayers and chants.The offerings are carefully prepared and solemnly arranged before the ceremony. Each offering conveys sincerity and gratitude to ancestors and those who sacrificed for the country.Youth Union members carefully light each lantern, preparing to hand them to local residents and visitors. The young people help carry on the traditional ritual with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility.Security forces and members of the Organizing Committee urgently arrange and inspect the lantern area before the ceremony.Female visitors from Ha Noi respectfully release lanterns onto the Luc Dau River, joining thousands of people attending the festival. The lights carry the participants’ wishes for peace and happiness. For many visitors, this is a special moment to return to a spiritual and cultural space rich in tradition.Nguyen Thi Linh and Ngo Thi Hoai An, students of Thanh Hoa Medical College, capture a memorable moment at the lantern festival. For young people, attending the ceremony is also an opportunity to explore and experience a traditional cultural value.Fireworks light up the night sky. The lights above blend with thousands of lanterns along the Luc Dau River, creating an impressive moment during the festival.Children attentively watch the colorful fireworks over Kiep Bac. The excitement of the younger generation adds a cheerful touch to the traditional festival night.The illuminated space creates an impressive, sacred and vibrant finale to the festival day.
