The festival takes place at a significant time, as five component relics in Hai Phong province are part of a world heritage site. These include Con Son Pagoda, Kiep Bac Temple, Thanh Mai Pagoda, Kinh Chu Cave, and Nham Duong Pagoda. The event includes activities commemorating the 726th death anniversary of national hero Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and the 584th death anniversary of world cultural figure Nguyen Trai. The main day of the festival falls on september 26 (the 16th day of the 8th lunar month).

For this year's festival, the organizing committee prepared 30,000 Kiep Bac temple seals for distribution to visitors from all regions. Kiep Bac Temple currently preserves four seal talismans of Saint Tran.

These are the Tran Trieu Hung Dao Vuong chi an, Quoc Phap Dai Vuong, Van Duoc linh phu, and Phi Thien Than Kiem linh phu, which are believed to pray for peace and dispel evil spirits and demons.

Alongside the seal distribution, traditional rituals will continue, such as the Cao Yet Ceremony, the Van Procession, the Seal Opening Ceremony, the Peace Prayer Ceremony, the Lantern Festival, the Walking Procession, the Sacrificial Ceremony, and the Commemoration Ceremony for Saint Tran.

Nghi Mon Gate of Kiep Bac Temple, where Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan is worshipped. Photo: Le Tan

Le Duy Manh, deputy head of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management Board, announced that a key highlight of the opening ceremony on the evening of september 26 will be the launch of the brand identity for the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac World Heritage Site Complex.

The brand identity is built upon three core values: "wisdom - harmony - spreading." Its main symbol features a chrysanthemum, reflecting Tran dynasty aesthetics, placed within a bodhi leaf, representing wisdom and enlightenment. This is combined with stylized chrysanthemum leaf patterns symbolizing the connection of cultural values. The launch of this brand identity aims to establish a unified image for the world heritage complex across Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Bac Ninh provinces.

This year's festival is organized with an open approach, prioritizing community service. The main festival area will accommodate approximately 5,000 seats, with 2,500 positions reserved for locals and visitors to attend freely. The spaces within the relic sites have been enhanced with additional miniature landscapes and check-in points.

Attendees can scan a QR code on the Smart Hai Phong platform to look up the festival program, traffic flow maps, parking areas, tourist attractions, and accommodation and dining services.

During the nine days of the festival, a Cultural, Tourism, and Trade Promotion Week will take place in the Kiep Bac Temple area. This week will showcase OCOP products and typical agricultural products, and offer experiential activities such as pottery making, calligraphy, water puppetry, and enjoying lotus tea. The organizing committee will also introduce tours connecting the five component world heritage relics in Hai Phong with destinations in Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh.

Le Tan