Multiplying the humanistic values ​​of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival

Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival is a cultural beauty in Huong Son ( Ha Tinh ). This is an opportunity for the younger generation to express their gratitude to their ancestors and demonstrate their continuous efforts to build their homeland and country.

On the occasion of the 69th anniversary of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27, 1955 - February 27, 2024), Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan and the working delegation and leaders of the province, industry and locality offered incense to commemorate Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac at the tomb of the Great Physician in Son Trung commune (Huong Son).

Hai Thuong Lan Ong - a famous doctor with both heart and talent

Le Huu Trac's pen name was Hai Thuong Lan Ong. When he was young, he was also known as "young master Bay". He was born on November 12, the year of the Dragon (1724) in his father's hometown, Van Xa village, Lieu Xa village, Duong Hao district, Thuong Hong prefecture, Hai Duong town (now Lieu Xa commune, Yen My district, Hung Yen province).

Born and raised in a period of historical turmoil, he understood the hardships of poor workers in times of turmoil. Therefore, he decided to leave his books, practice martial arts, study military books, and volunteer for battle to keep the country peaceful.

However, after the tragic news that his eldest brother died of a serious illness, he returned to his mother's hometown in Bau Thuong, Tinh Diem commune, Huu Bang canton (now Quang Diem commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province) to take care of his elderly mother and young grandchildren.

Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival is an occasion to show gratitude and commemorate the merits of the great physician Le Huu Trac.

In his mother's hometown, he devoted his time to studying medicine and curing people. With his extensive knowledge of medical theory, Le Huu Trac was able to diagnose diseases very accurately, prescribe good medicine and cure many incurable diseases. His reputation quickly spread far and wide, becoming a famous Great Physician, considered the founder of Vietnamese Oriental Medicine, the one who laid the foundation for the country's medical industry.

He died on the full moon day of the first lunar month of the year Tan Hoi (1791) in his mother's hometown in Bau Thuong (now Quang Diem commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province). After Hai Thuong Lan Ong passed away, every year, on his death anniversary, the people of Huong Son gathered to hold a ceremony to express their gratitude for the great physician's kindness.

Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival always attracts the participation of many people inside and outside the province.

From here, Huong Son people also created the Hai Thuong Lan Ong festival to remember the great physician Le Huu Trac. Spring competitions and games are also held on this occasion. In 2015, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 3465/QD-BVHTTDL recognizing the Hai Thuong Lan Ong festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Multiply the value of the festival

Every year, the Hai Thuong Lan Ong festival is held from January 13 to 15 with activities such as: incense offering ceremony at the tomb in Hai Thuong village (Son Trung commune), worshiping at the church in Bao Thuong village (Quang Diem commune) and praying for peace and health at Tuong Son pagoda (village 1, Son Giang commune).

People held a procession and worship ceremony at Le Huu Trac church (Bao Thuong village, Quang Diem commune) on the afternoon of January 13 (February 22, 2024).

Besides the ceremony, there is a festival with competitions such as: boat racing on Ngan Pho river, cooking banh chung, stick pushing game, arm wrestling, cross-country running race up Minh Tu mountain...

Boat racing festival on Ngan Pho River within the framework of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival 2024.

This year's Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival is one of the activities towards the 300th anniversary of the birth (1724-2024) and the 233rd anniversary of the death (1791-2024) of the great physician Le Huu Trac.

As an indispensable ritual at the Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival, the worship ceremony at the Great Physician's Temple in Bao Thuong Village (Quang Diem Commune) is always solemnly held by the ceremonial team. The ceremonial team includes the celebrant, assistant celebrant, inner minister, deacon and the person reading the blessing.

Mr. Tran Quoc Vo (Song Con village, Quang Diem commune) expressed: “This year, I was assigned to take on the role of “deacon” (in charge of offering incense, offering wine, delivering wishes, reading wishes...) at the Great Physician's death anniversary ceremony at the church. I am very honored to contribute to the organization of the festival. For our people, the Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival is a cultural beauty, and also an occasion to remind descendants to remember the merits of their ancestors.”

The Chung cake wrapping contest held at Hai Thuong Lan Ong Tomb in Son Trung commune this year had 11 participating teams.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Thich - Chairman of Son Trung Commune People's Committee, on January 12 (February 21), the commune organized the festival, including activities such as wrapping banh chung, stick pushing competition... attracting the participation of many people. To continue the activities towards the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Great Physician, the locality is quickly carrying out many tasks such as: repairing the parking lot, landscaping..., and at the same time organizing cultural, artistic activities, and sports tournaments to celebrate".

The Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival not only enriches the cultural life of the people of Huong Son but is also an opportunity for everyone to express their gratitude to their ancestors. This is also an opportunity to educate the next generation about patriotism and love for the people; to educate generations of doctors about medical ethics, medical practice, medical skills, and to take good care of the people's health.

People from all over come to offer incense and flowers on the occasion of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival.

Mr. Ho Thai Son - Vice Chairman of Huong Son District People's Committee said: "The organization of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Festival has contributed to helping the locality widely promote the image of Huong Son land and people. These days, hundreds of delegations of visitors have continuously come to burn incense to commemorate and pay tribute to the Great Physician, gradually proving the spread of this festival. To continue promoting the values ​​of the festival, the locality will step up propaganda activities about the life and career of the Great Physician. At the same time, continue to do a good job of preserving, embellishing and promoting the Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac Relic Complex. Strengthen the introduction of cultural and historical values ​​associated with the heritages that the Great Physician left behind. Build Huong Son with a friendly, impressive and hospitable image, becoming a destination for domestic and international tourists".

It is known that, according to the plan, in 2024, Huong Son district will continue to organize a series of activities towards the 300th anniversary of Hai Thuong Lan Ong's birth such as: culture, arts, and sports to welcome; Contest of processing traditional dishes associated with the medicinal herbs that the Great Physician wrote about in the book "Nu Cong Thang Lam"; Photo exhibition "Land and people of Huong Son"...

Mr. Thuy - Thu Cuc

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/nhan-len-nhung-gia-tri-nhan-van-cua-le-hoi-hai-thuong-lan-ong/262053.htm