Thousands of visitors and pilgrims flocked to the 2023 Phu Day Festival, which officially kicked off in Kim Thai Commune, Vu Ban District, the northern province of Nam Dinh on April 22 (the third day of the third lunar month).
An art performance at the opening ceremony for Phu Day Festival.
This is the first time the festival, which symbolises the Mother Goddesses worshipping belief, takes place following three years of hiatus, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The opening ceremony for the festival featured the processions from temples, palaces, pagodas and mausoleums, in the complex of Phu Day historical and cultural relics.
The complex of Phu Day historical and cultural relics consists of nearly 20 temples, palaces, pagodas and mausoleums, spanning nearly 10km, with a history and culture of hundreds of years. There are three relics recognised as national cultural and historical relic sites that are dedicated to the Mother Goddess, Lieu Hanh — one of the four immortal gods in Vietnamese folklore.
This is the first time the festival takes place following three years of hiatus due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with Chau Van (spiritual) Singing, the Phu Day Festival was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage. In addition, the Vietnamese worship of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms was recognised by UNESCO, as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
A large number of visitors flock to the festival.
In addition to traditional rituals such as the procession of the Mother Goddesses, drawing words and torch relay, the festival features many cultural and folk-art activities, as well as unique sports games including Chau Van and Cheo (traditional opera)singing performances, dragon dance, human chess and wrestling competitions.
Source: https://en.nhandan.vn/
