Soc Son district in Hanoi played host to the launch of the Soc temple festival on January 30, the sixth day of the first lunar month, with a mix of thousands of Buddhists and festival goers in attendance.
The annual Soc temple festival is held as a means of honouring Thanh Giong, a mythical hero, god, and saint. Thanh Giong is credited with defending the country from hordes of Chinese invaders, in addition to being worshipped as the patron god of the harvest, national peace, and family prosperity
Due to its significant cultural impact, the festival is recognised as an intangible aspect of global cultural heritage by UNESCO
Chairman of the Soc Son district People’s Committee Phạm Văn Minh beats the drum to signify the opening of the Soc temple festival
Director of the relic management centre in Soc Son district Nguyễn Nam Nho delivers a speech to those in attendance at the opening ceremony
Taking part in this year’s festival is a procession of eight communes, with each one carrying unique characteristics of the festival, including flowers, paper horses, and paper elephants
The festival is scheduled to run until February 1, the eighth day of the first lunar month
Source: vov.vn
