Chem Temple now belongs to Thuy Phuong ward, Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi, worshiping Monsignor Ly Than, also known as Ly Ong Trong, and his wife, Lady Bach Tinh Cung - the daughter of King Tan Thuy Hoang.
According to historical records, the Chem Temple Festival is held for three days, from the 14th to the 16th of the 5th lunar month every year, to commemorate the day of victory, open festivals to celebrate merits and pray for the souls of the martyrs. General and soldier of Ho Chi Minh Ong Trong in the resistance war against the Northern invaders. But more profound is the ritual of praying for favorable weather and good harvests for the agricultural residents of the Red River Delta.
The festival is divided into two parts: Ceremony and Festival. The Ceremony part is performed through very solemn processions such as: water procession, horse procession, literature procession, Moc Duc ceremony (bathing saint statues), speech ceremony (worshiping Buddha),...
The water procession for the Moc Duc ceremony is the largest and most solemn procession. Those participating in the water procession must wear festive costumes and carry offerings, walk 3km up the Red River, then get into three dragon boats and row down to the temple gate. Here, the water collection ceremony takes place, three boats row and rotate three times, water is scooped up, poured into a container and alum is beaten. The water intake was completed just in time for the three boats to make three complete revolutions as prescribed. After getting water, the whole group of boats sailed down the river to Ma's house, about 1km from the temple gate, then went to Ngu wharf. At this time, the foot procession - water procession, horse procession begins. Leading the procession are elephants and horses, followed by palanquins with hats and shirts; Next is adjusting the water and setting up drums and gongs. The procession stopped in the middle of the temple yard to hold the Moc Duc ceremony. The funeral procession (oration) is held later, around evening. The performance ceremony recounting the merits of Ly Ong Trong was conducted on the full moon night, with solemn rituals.
The Festival part of the Festival includes many folk games, attracting a large number of visitors to participate such as: swimming competition, tug of war, kite flying, bird flying, and duck catching competition. Among them, the swimming competition is the most fun game in the festival. Chem Temple Festival is a unique traditional festival associated with the nation's history, very representative of popular cultural activities among wet rice agricultural residents of the Red River Delta; At the same time, it aims to arouse national pride and love for the homeland of Vietnamese people.
From 19/06/2024 - 21/06/2024