Leading the procession is a general with an imposing appearance, also known as the "flag general." The costume style in the Tho Ha village festival reflects classical Vietnamese opera, featuring heavily painted faces, colorful costumes, and stylized performance gestures.

On the morning of 9/3, residents of Van Ha ward celebrated the recognition of the Tho Ha communal house, pagoda, and temple complex as a special national relic. These cultural, religious, and spiritual structures possess outstanding value, evident in their historical, cultural, artistic, architectural, and sculptural aspects. Bac Ninh province currently has 43 sites across 10 special national relics or relic clusters.

The event was held as part of the 2026 Tho Ha traditional festival. The festival spans three days, from 8 to 10/3 (the 20th to 22nd day of the first lunar month), taking place at the central area of Tho Ha communal house, pagoda, and temple.

The three immortals of prosperity, emolument, and longevity (Phuc, Loc, Tho), Ngoc Nu carrying a peach, and Tieu Dong carrying Van village wine walk in the procession.

From early morning, in a family in Hamlet 2, Tho Ha village, both seniors and children were busy preparing their costumes for the village festival.

Tho Ha village is situated along the north bank of the Cau River, with three sides bordered by the river. It was once one of three renowned ancient pottery centers of the Vietnamese people, alongside Phu Lang village (Bac Ninh) and Bat Trang (Hanoi), flourishing from the 14th century. From the 1990s, the pottery craft gradually declined, replaced by the production of banh da nem (rice paper for spring rolls) and rice vermicelli.

A person dressed as a general, carrying an imperial sword, also known as the "sword general," walks in the middle of the procession.

The procession commenced at 10h. The festival serves as an occasion for villagers to express gratitude to the ancestral master Dao Tri Tien, who is believed to have taught pottery to the villagers in the 12th century.

To this day, the festival continues with many traditional rituals, contributing to the preservation of distinct intangible cultural heritage values.

Offerings to the deity include one roasted ox covered in silk fabric, along with many other offerings presented by hamlets, clans, and families to the sacred spirit.

Residents in the alleys stand waiting to watch the procession pass by their homes.

The procession of sacred palanquins and ancestral palanquins, along with an altar for the enthroned deity, is accompanied by a coin dance troupe. Tho Ha is one of the quintessential villages that retains many imprints of the ancient Kinh Bac region. The village space still features familiar images such as banyan trees, water landings, communal house courtyards, along with a system of old houses and small moss-covered alleys. All these elements create an architectural and landscape complex imbued with an ancient charm, characteristic of a Northern Vietnamese village.

The procession route from the hamlets to Tho Ha communal house is only a few hundred meters long. However, the groups take about two hours to reach their destination due to numerous rituals performed along the way.

When the procession arrives at the communal house, the chief priest, dressed in traditional attire, stands on the three-tiered steps to welcome the group. Once positions are stable, the ritual ceremony begins. This ceremony expresses reverence, invites the Saint to join the villagers in the festival, and prays for a new year of good health, prosperous business, peaceful village life, and family happiness.

Giang Huy