Surprisingly, Tran Temple this year, after only 15 minutes of issuing the seal, there were no people.

Nhiều người dân có mặt từ tối 14 tháng giêng, phải đứng ở vòng ngoài - Ảnh: NAM TRẦN — Many people were present since the evening of January 14, had to stand in the outer circle - Photo: NAM TRAN

Previously, sharing with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Tran Duc Binh, head of the management board of Tran Temple - Thap Pagoda relic, said "it's cold and rainy but the number of visitors is still expected to be very large".

Why is the Tran Temple seal distribution ceremony deserted after only 15 minutes this year?

The reason Mr. Binh made the above prediction is because in previous years, even the rain and wind could not stop the "sea" of people flocking to Tran Temple to ask for the seal of fortune.

As in previous years, the Tran Temple's seal opening ceremony took place at the hour of Ty, the night of January 14 to the morning of January 15 (the night of February 23 to the morning of February 24) in the grounds of Thien Truong Temple, reserved for delegates.

The ceremony of distributing seals to people and tourists from all over the world started at 5am on the 15th day of the first lunar month, at the three Giai Vu houses and the exhibition house of Trung Hoa temple.

Lễ khai ấn đền Trần 2024 diễn ra trong quy củ, trật tự - Ảnh: NAM TRẦN — The Tran Temple Seal Opening Ceremony 2024 took place in a disciplined and orderly manner - Photo: NAM TRAN

Both the opening ceremony and the seal distribution ceremony took place in drizzly and cold weather.

However, if in the past, people from provinces and cities braved the rain and stayed up all night waiting for the time to distribute the seals, this year, according to the reporter's records, the number of visitors from all over the country has decreased a lot.

"Maybe after many years of waiting to get the seal, this year people learned their lesson and did not gather on the evening of the 14th and early morning of the 15th," a police officer from Nam Dinh province shared.

Số lượng người dân và khách thập phương dự lễ hội khai ấn đền Trần năm nay so với những năm trước thì không bằng - Ảnh: NAM TRẦN — The number of people and visitors attending the Tran Temple opening ceremony this year is not as high as in previous years - Photo: NAM TRAN

As two of the early recipients of the seal, brothers Tran Huu Thu and Tran Duc Hanh (Dai Hoang village, Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province) drove to Nam Dinh at 11:00 a.m. on January 14.

The two brothers went out to celebrate the spring festival, then waited for the time to distribute the seals. "I only wish for good health for the family in the new year. I can't ask for much luck," said Thu.

The two brothers "have a tradition" of going to Tran Temple to ask for a seal of blessing. According to Mr. Hanh, in previous years the organizers distributed the seals right after the opening ceremony, which was somewhat chaotic and crowded.

But this year, it was almost dawn, and many people waited in line for the time, but it was more orderly. Those who came at 3 or 4 o'clock also got their stamps very early.

Đứng trong mưa chờ nhận ấn - Ảnh: NAM TRẦN — Standing in the rain waiting to receive the seal - Photo: NAM TRAN

Ms. Thuy Linh (Hung Yen) and her family arrived at Tran Temple at 7:00 p.m. last night. The family only planned to come to worship, attend the New Year's ceremony and then return home early, but Ms. Linh's uncle said "we have to wait to receive the seal of blessing", so the whole family waited until dawn this morning.

"My uncle is 76 years old now. Every time he went to Tran Temple festival, he complained about the crowds, jostling, and chaos, but this year when I went, I didn't see too many people coming," she said.

At the beginning of the new year, when going to ask for a seal, Ms. Linh just wished for her family to "be safe".

Lễ phát ấn diễn ra sớm hơn dự kiến - Ảnh: NAM TRẦN — The seal distribution ceremony took place earlier than expected - Photo: NAM TRAN

According to the announcement, the seal distribution ceremony will take place at 5:00 a.m. on January 15.

However, at around 4:50, the three Giai Vu houses and the Trung Hoa temple exhibition house began to distribute seals.

At 5:10, Tran Temple began to gradually empty of people.

Accordingly, the organizing committee will serve all needs of the people and tourists, from offering incense, attending ceremonies to receiving jade seals at the beginning of spring until the end of January.