Discover the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival in Ninh Binh, a vibrant cultural event held every year in the third lunar month at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. The festival attracts thousands of visitors to the former imperial capital, where they come to honor Vietnam’s ancient dynasties and experience traditional rituals, folk performances, and historical reenactments that reflect the spirit and heritage of the old capital. In this guide, Vietnamtour 247 brings you the highlights and cultural meaning of this unique festival.
Overview Of The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
Cultural and Historical Significance
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival is one of the oldest traditional festivals in Vietnam. Also known as the Truong Yen Festival or Co Lau Festival, it has been officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and is currently being proposed to be elevated to a National Ceremony due to its outstanding historical and cultural value.
Held annually in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu City, Ninh Binh Province, the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival honors the national hero Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang (Dinh Bo Linh). He was the founder of the Dinh Dynasty, the ruler who established the capital at Hoa Lu, and the leader who unified the country after a long period of fragmentation, creating the state of Dai Co Viet.
More than a traditional celebration, the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival vividly reflects the life, background, and achievements of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, while also highlighting important historical events during the Dinh, Early Le, and Ly dynasties. Historically, the festival was organized by royal courts as a state-level ceremony.
Today, the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival remains one of the most important cultural events in Ninh Binh. It preserves many unique folk traditions, rituals, and performances, while continuing to play a vital role in promoting Vietnamese history, cultural identity, and national pride.
History of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival has its roots deeply embedded in Vietnamese history. After Hoa Lu was no longer the royal capital and became the Ancient Capital, the festival gradually evolved into an important national ceremony. From that time on, the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival was considered a major ritual event. During each celebration, royal courts from Hue and Thang Long would send high-ranking mandarins to attend, making the ceremony extremely solemn and prestigious.
According to the historical record Kham Dinh Dai Nam Hoi Dien Su Le, the Nguyen Dynasty organized annual grand ceremonies to worship the temples of past emperors. Among them, four figures were regarded as especially significant: Kinh Duong Vuong, Lac Long Quan, Hung Vuong, and Dinh Tien Hoang. In addition, Emperor Minh Mang ordered the construction of a temple dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang in Duong Xuan Commune, Hue Imperial Capital. This further demonstrates the great importance attached to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival.
From that point forward, the royal court officially established annual worship ceremonies for King Dinh Tien Hoang, held twice a year during the Spring and Autumn seasons. These rituals expressed the deep respect and gratitude of the imperial court toward the founding emperor of the Dinh Dynasty. The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival as it exists today is the result of a long historical development. Over centuries, the festival has been shaped by a unique blend of historical events and rich Vietnamese folk legends, creating a cultural celebration that honors the origins of the Vietnamese nation and the legacy of the ancient capital.
Time and Location of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival is held annually from the 6th to the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month at the historic Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.
If you are planning a 4 days 3 nights itinerary in Ninh Binh during this time, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival, one of the most important cultural events in the region. Visitors can also combine their trip with the Trang An Festival, creating a memorable journey through the cultural and natural heritage of Ninh Binh.
Unique Highlights of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival is divided into two main parts: the Ceremonial Rituals and the Festival Activities.
Among them, the ceremonial rituals carry profound historical and spiritual meaning, preserving centuries-old traditions and honoring the legacy of Vietnam’s early dynasties.
Ceremonial Rituals of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
The ceremonial part of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival in Ninh Binh features a series of sacred rituals that reflect deep spiritual traditions and historical reverence. These include the Temple Opening Ceremony, Water Procession Ceremony, Incense Offering Ceremony, Sacred Fire Procession, Mộc Dục Ritual (Statue Bathing Ceremony), Offering Ceremony, Palanquin Procession, and Lantern Releasing Ceremony.
Among all these rituals, the Water Procession Ceremony is regarded as the most important and symbolic, drawing a large number of visitors and local residents each year. It represents respect for the ancient kings and highlights the strong cultural and spiritual identity preserved at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Temple Opening Ceremony
The Temple Opening Ceremony takes place at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and the Temple of King Le Dai Hanh one day before the official festival begins. After this ritual, visitors are allowed to enter the temples freely without purchasing tickets, which allows them to offer incense and pay tribute to the two great emperors.
Water Procession Ceremony
The Water Procession Ceremony begins early in the morning on the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month and marks the official opening of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival. The procession starts at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and moves toward the Hoang Long River, where sacred water is collected and brought back to the temple.
Before the festival, a tall bamboo pole is placed in the Hoang Long River with a yellow banner attached at the top. The banner carries sacred prayers expressing gratitude to the mythical Golden Dragon believed to have helped Emperor Dinh in the past. This solemn ceremony reflects the Vietnamese tradition of “Remembering the source when drinking water,” symbolizing gratitude toward ancestors and national heroes.
Moc Duc Ritual (Statue Bathing Ceremony)
The Moc Duc Ritual is the sacred act of bathing the statues of the kings. This ceremony is conducted at midnight on the opening day of the festival. Before performing the ritual, the temple guardian must present prayers to request permission from the kings to carry out the ceremony and perform the royal dressing ritual.
Sacred Fire Procession
The Sacred Fire Procession is a symbolic ceremony performed at the two temples dedicated to King Dinh. The journey begins at the birthplace of Dinh Bo Linh and ends at the place where he ascended the throne as Emperor, representing the transformation from a heroic childhood to the unification of the nation.
The sacred flame is taken from the Temple of Dinh Bo Linh in Gia Phuong Commune, Gia Vien District. After performing offerings and sacred rituals to Heaven and Earth, the torch procession moves along King Dinh Road toward the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District. The sacred fire is then used to light ceremonial flames throughout the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival.
Main Worship Ceremony
After the Water Procession returns to the central stage of the festival and the symbolic dragon-release ceremony takes place, the main worship ceremony begins at the temples of King Dinh and King Le. Delegations from many regions participate in the ritual processions. Palanquins carrying sacred relics and incense from temples dedicated to historical figures of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties are brought to the two main temples.
Many delegations travel long distances and transport their ceremonial palanquins by decorated festival vehicles to Hoa Lu. The worship ceremonies take place both during the day and at night at the two temples, praising the contributions of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh. During this time, visitors can enter the temples to offer incense and pay their respects.
Festival Activities at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
In addition to sacred rituals, the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival features vibrant cultural performances and traditional games that attract thousands of visitors every year.
Festival Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony is a large-scale modern stage performance broadcast live on television. After the introduction of guests and official speeches from national and local leaders, the festival begins with the powerful Hoa Lu Drum Performance.
The program continues with historical reenactments staged by the Ninh Binh Cheo Theater, depicting significant events such as:
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The coronation of Emperor Dinh Bo Linh
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The reign of Emperor Le Hoan
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The victory against the Song Dynasty invasion
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The relocation of the capital to Thang Long
The ceremony concludes with the symbolic release of dragon balloons into the sky, creating one of the most spectacular moments of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival.
Co Lau Military Training Performance
The Co Lau Military Training Performance is a traditional folk reenactment that illustrates the childhood training of the national hero Dinh Bo Linh. The performance features around 60 teenagers aged 13 to 15. The most charismatic boy is chosen to portray Dinh Bo Linh, wearing a straw imperial crown and holding a reed flag decorated with golden and purple tassels.
Accompanied by drums, gongs, and traditional instruments, the performers recreate scenes of young warriors practicing military formations, symbolizing determination and leadership.
Thai Binh Letter Formation Performance
Another unique performance is the Thai Binh Letter Formation, which commemorates the royal era name declared by Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang after ascending the throne. This name was also used for the first currency issued in Vietnam.
The performance features 120 young women dressed in traditional Tu Than costumes holding flags. Following rhythmic drum beats, they run in formation to create the characters “Thai Binh.” The coordinated movements form the elegant strokes of the characters, creating a visually impressive display.
Additional Cultural Events
During the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival, visitors can also enjoy a variety of cultural and sporting activities such as:
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Hoa Lu Beauty Contest
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Traditional Cheo Singing Competition
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Hoa Lu Volleyball Cup
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Cultural exhibitions promoting tourism
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Various sports tournaments and community events
These activities help promote the rich cultural heritage of Ninh Binh while attracting both domestic and international visitors to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Question about Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
What is the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival?
The Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival is one of the oldest traditional festivals in Vietnam. It honors Dinh Tien Hoang, the founder of the Dinh Dynasty and the first ruler to unify the country after a long period of division.
Where is the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival held?
The festival takes place in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, located in Truong Yen Commune, Ninh Binh Province.
When does the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival take place?
It is held annually from the 6th to the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month.
Why is the Hoa Lu Festival important?
The festival preserves Vietnam’s historical and cultural heritage, commemorating early dynasties such as the Dinh, Early Le, and Ly. It is also officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Conclusion
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