VI
EN
The Tich Dien Festival is held annually, through which Vietnamese people express their gratitude to their ancestors for their pioneering work in reclaiming and expanding farmland. It also emphasizes the concept of agriculture as the foundation for national and social stability. The Doi Son Tich Dien Festival is considered a beautiful aspect of community cultural life and has been recognized by the State as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The 2022 Doi Son Tich Dien Festival was held over three days, from February 5th to 7th (corresponding to the 5th to 7th days of the first lunar month of the Year of the Tiger). The 5th and 6th days featured spiritual rituals such as the announcement ceremony, the water procession to the altar, the purification ceremony, and prayers for peace at Doi Son Pagoda. The 7th day was considered the main day of the festival.
Scenes from the Doi Son Tich Dien Festival in 2022
The Tich Dien Festival has been recognized by the State as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The 2022 Tich Dien Festival took place with the presence of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. On the morning of February 7th, the President, along with leaders of various levels of government, performed the ritual of offering incense to King Le Dai Hành – the ancestor who founded the Tich Dien Festival – and then directly participated in the Tich Dien ceremony, plowing the first furrows of land, marking the beginning of a bountiful new planting season.
On this occasion, the President presented 200 gifts to the local people.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, dressed in farmer's attire, performs the Tich Dien ritual.
The ceremony also reenacted the scene of King Le Dai Hanh plowing the fields, performed by village elders, followed by village women sowing seeds. According to historical records, King Le Dai Hanh valued agriculture and, upon returning to the mountainous region of Doi and Chau rivers, initiated and personally plowed the fields at the beginning of the year. Since then, Tich Dien has been considered a national holiday, the largest plowing festival in the Northern Delta region, signifying encouragement of labor and production among the people.
The scene depicts King Le Dai Hanh plowing the fields.
The procession was accompanied by the lively sound of drums.
Dragon dance performance.
This year, to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control, the festival activities have been shortened, leaving only the buffalo decoration painting competition, the town's ornamental plant exhibition, and the display of stalls showcasing typical agricultural and handicraft products of Duy Tien town.
The number of buffaloes participating in the buffalo decoration competition at the Tich Dien festival has also decreased to only 10, and the artists invited to decorate the buffaloes for the festival are all from Ha Nam province.
Security outside was also tightened. Although many people came to watch the festival, they were only allowed to stand outside and observe.
