The inter-village festival of Tam Duong and Van Dai villages in Thai Binh province’s Hung Ha district celebrate solidarity and friendship between the two villages that have been established since 700 years ago.
The festival is held twice a year with many solemn processions. The festival usually takes place from 14th to 16th of the 2nd and 9th lunar month with many traditional rites and folk games.
According to the history, the festival of Tam Duong and Van Dai villages commemorates and pays tribute to Princess Huyền Trân and Princess Diệu Dung – the daughters of King Trần Nhân Tông.
When the Mongol invaders invaded, Princess Huyen Tran was married to Champa King as part of a promise made by her father. After the death of Champa King, Princess Huyen Tran returned to her hometown in Thai Duong village and helped her father fighting against the Nguyen invaders. When Princess Huyen Tran died, local people of Thai Duong village built a temple to praise her merits and commemorate her death anniversary on the 15th of the second lunar month. Thai Duong village is now part of Tam Duong village.
Princess Diệu Dung reclaimed a large area of Duyen Ha and Tien Hung (known as Hung Ha district now), built dykes to prevent floods, and produced food for the army services. Princess Dieu Dung is also a great contributor in establishing Van Dai village. Recommending great contributions of Princess Diệu Dung, residents of Van Dai villages commemorate her death anniversary in the 15th of the 9th lunar month each year.
Since then, the two villages of Tam Duong and Van Dai have established the sisterhood relation and local people of the two villages usually celebrate a twining festival in order to commemorate affection and great contributions of the two princesses in the country.
PH (baothaibinh.com.vn)
