Promoting the value of Tran Temple Festival in socio-economic development

Tran Temple, Tien Duc Commune (Hung Ha) was ranked as a special national monument by the Prime Minister according to Decision No. 2408/QD-TTg, dated December 31, 2014. Every year, the festival is held from January 13 to 17 with many diverse activities, attracting a large number of people and tourists from all over. This is a source of pride, encouragement and motivation for the people to continue to preserve and pass on the Dong A spirit, while opening up opportunities for local socio-economic development.

Tran Thai Binh Temple has many unique cultural features that attract many tourists from all over the world.

Hung Ha is a land of "spiritual land, outstanding people", a sacred land with a rich tradition of culture, civilization, patriotism and revolution, where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges, the origin and establishment of the Tran Dynasty - the most powerful dynasty among the feudal dynasties of Vietnam, a dynasty associated with a glorious, glorious and illustrious historical period, a majestic dynasty with outstanding predecessors, "born as generals, died as gods", who had the merit of founding and glorifying the country. The special national monument of the mausoleum and temple of the Tran Dynasty kings is the eternal resting place of the ancestors of the Tran Dynasty and the first kings of the Tran Dynasty (Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong, Tran Nhan Tong); at the same time, this is also the place with sacred temples and shrines worshiping the first kings of the Tran Dynasty, queens, queen mothers, princesses and many talented generals, outstanding figures in history. That is why in recent years, Tran Temple has had hundreds of thousands of people from all over come to offer incense, remember and show gratitude for the merits of the Tran Dynasty kings.

Mr. Bui Hong Thai, Co Nhue Ward, Hanoi City said: Tran Temple is one of the famous spring travel destinations in Thai Binh in particular, and the North in general. This is not only a place for us to express our gratitude to the Tran Dynasty kings for their contributions to building and defending the country, but also an opportunity for each citizen to better understand and be more proud of the heroic history of the nation. Every time I come here, I feel a sacred emotion rising up so that when I leave, I feel at peace with the belief in a lucky and successful new year.

Not only preserving and maintaining the historical and cultural values of Tran Temple, Tran Temple Festival is also an opportunity for the locality to promote economic development through commercial service activities. Currently, Tien Duc commune has more than 200 service businesses with a variety of products, meeting the needs of people for enjoyment and gifts. During the festival, the number of tourists will increase, the demand for services will be higher, thereby contributing to increasing the income of local people.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Suu, Tien Duc commune said: I have been selling goods at Tran temple for more than 10 years now, mainly fish cakes and peanut candy because these are specialties of Thai Binh, so they attract a large number of customers. Each festival season, we have an income of 10 - 20 million VND.

Mr. Hoang Dinh Nhung, Chairman of Tien Duc Commune People's Committee, said: Thanks to the Tran Temple Festival, people's lives have improved, and the homeland is increasingly prosperous. In 2023, the commune's economy increased by 10.92%; average income per capita is estimated at 66.9 million VND; the poverty rate is 1.93%. In the coming time, we aim to develop peanut candy products and some agricultural products of the commune into specialty products with the desire to promote local products to tourists, gradually contributing to economic development and improving people's lives.

The road to Tran Temple has been upgraded to facilitate visitors to visit and worship. The stalls are neatly and scientifically arranged.

In recent years, Hung Ha district has focused on investing in tourism infrastructure, forming tourist routes associated with key relics, combining the construction of tourism products to attract domestic and foreign tourists, gradually turning tourism into an important economic sector. At the same time, strengthening promotion, linkage, and cooperation in tourism development; promoting the attraction of businesses to invest in tourist areas, entertainment areas, etc. In addition, linking Hung Ha tourism with tourism of the province, the region and the whole country; promoting propaganda and mobilizing people to practice a civilized lifestyle, creating a good impression on tourists; perfecting the apparatus, improving the efficiency of management and exploitation of relics, etc., soon turning Hung Ha into a key tourist destination of the province.

Mr. Dinh Ba Khai, Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, said: Hung Ha has proposed many policies, solutions, and specific goals, striving for the period of 2021 - 2025, with a vision to 2030, the number of tourists will increase by an average of 10 - 15% per year; build 2 - 3 routes and tours associated with historical and cultural relics and key tourist areas inside and outside the district; each spiritual cultural tourist spot and other tourist spots in the district will have a team of tour guides to guide visitors. This will be a condition to promote the image and elevate the festival, creating momentum for the socio-economic development of the district. Tran Temple Festival is where spiritual rituals, games, and folk performances take place. This is an opportunity for people from all walks of life in the province, compatriots, and visitors from all over to gather on this sacred land, burn incense to commemorate and pay tribute to the Tran Dynasty kings. The Party Committee and people of Hung Ha will continue to preserve and promote the value of the cultural heritages of the Tran Dynasty, turning the glorious Dong A spirit of the Tran Dynasty into a great source of endogenous strength, contributing to promoting the cause of socio-economic development, implementing the industrialization of agriculture and rural areas, building Hung Ha to be increasingly developed, rich, beautiful and civilized.

In tourism development in Thai Binh, spiritual tourism, especially associated with traditional festivals, is a national intangible cultural heritage with great potential for exploitation. For the Tran Temple Festival, the organization of the festival not only meets the cultural and spiritual needs of all classes of people, but also many diverse activities taking place during the festival contribute to preserving traditions and bringing unique features that always attract a large number of local people and tourists from all over the country to learn and explore during the festival days. In the coming time, the trend of spiritual tourism will continue to develop. With the attention of all levels, sectors, local authorities, and the active participation of all classes of people, it is believed that the Tran Temple Festival in Thai Binh will always be an attractive destination for spiritual tourism for domestic and foreign tourists.

Mr. Tran Ba Phuc

(Vice President of Provincial Tourism Association)

Thanh Thuy

Source