Awarding the title of National Intangible Cultural Heritage to the temple, one of the four Hoa Lu towns.

The traditional festival of Saint Nguyen Temple in Ninh Binh is a unique cultural event, rich in history, deeply associated with the life, career and legend of Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong presented the certificate of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Saint Nguyen Temple Festival to representatives of local authorities. Photo: NB

Attending the ceremony were Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Vice President of the National Assembly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vice President - General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

At the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong presented the Certificate of recognition of the Nguyen Temple Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage to a representative of Tien Thang commune, Gia Vien district.

On December 10, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 3986, officially recognizing the Nguyen Temple Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pham Van Tam - Chairman of Gia Vien District People's Committee, head of the organizing committee of the 2025 Saint Nguyen Temple Festival - said that Saint Nguyen Temple in Dam Xa village has long been known as one of the most sacred temples, honored as one of the four gods of Hoa Lu. The historical and cultural relic of Saint Nguyen Temple has been ranked as a national architectural and artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism since 1989.

According to Mr. Tam, in order to show respect to the Ly Dynasty's National Teacher, every year local people hold a festival on the 8th, 9th and 10th of the third lunar month as a beautiful tradition preserved through many generations.

In recent years, with the people's respect for Saint Nguyen, the Saint Nguyen Temple Festival has been held regularly every year and has been raised in scale, content, and organization space.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh - Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, along with leaders of ministries, central agencies, and Ninh Binh province, paid tribute, remembered, and celebrated the 960th anniversary of Saint Nguyen's birth. Photo: NL

The Nguyen Temple Festival is a unique cultural and spiritual event, associated with the life and career of Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong - who was honored as the Nam Duoc Thanh Y. The festival has an important meaning in the spiritual life of the community, demonstrating the connection and cultural creativity through many generations.

Preserving and promoting the value of the festival is not only to preserve a precious cultural heritage, but also to preserve the sacred soul of Gia Vien land rich in historical traditions. The Party Committee, government and people in the district always respect, are proud of, and create conditions for the festival to take place solemnly, safely, and imbued with national cultural identity.

At the opening ceremony, delegates and people enjoyed a special art program with the theme: The Legend of Ly Quoc Su Minh Khong's Eternal Appearance - Gia Vien Shines a Bright Countryside.

This year, the Festival has many highlights such as exploring the architecture of the Later Le Dynasty of the Nguyen Temple, learning about the medicinal herb garden of Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong, participating in the ceremonial space with 13 traditional ceremonies honoring the Saint, along with many rich and attractive folk cultural activities.

In particular, the Organizing Committee distributed 960 bags of herbal medicine to locals and tourists, and presented 960 yellow camellia flowers - the flower considered the Holy Flower of Ninh Binh - to the Management Boards of relics, craft villages, hospitals, medical facilities and places related to traditional medicine in Gia Vien.