On the morning of the 10th day of the lunar new year (26/2), thousands participated in the Nghinh Than ceremony, a procession carrying the ancestral tablet of Duc Ong through central Bien Hoa city streets. This procession, stretching nearly one kilometer, is the main event of the 2026 Chua Ong Festival, which runs from the 6th to the 13th day of the first lunar month. Despite the rain, the procession moved along streets such as Cach Mang Thang Tam and Phan Chu Trinh.

The Nghinh Than ceremony is a ritual procession honoring folk deities and ancestors credited with pioneering and developing the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai region. Traditionally, this procession would travel by both water and land. However, this year, the Chua Ong Festival Organizing Committee opted to conduct only the land procession.

The traditional Chua Ong Festival received national recognition as an intangible cultural heritage from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 11/2023. This designation marks it as the first national intangible heritage of Dong Nai province.

Girls sang and danced in the street during the parade. "Our group traveled from Long Khanh to Bien Hoa last night, joining the community to wish everyone a happy new year," said Huan Nghi, a female member of the dance troupe.

Many horse mascots, symbolizing the Year of the Horse, featured prominently in the street procession. The organizing committee also included actual horses, drawing significant public attention.

Despite the heavy rain, the parade troupe continued to dance and sing cheerfully for the new year. "Rain is a blessing. Although it presents more challenges than sunny weather, we always strive to complete our duties during the festival," said Hung, a member of the dragon dance troupe.

Beyond traditional Chinese attire, many participating groups this year wore Vietnamese costumes in the parade. This cultural blend is a distinctive feature of the Chua Ong Festival in Dong Nai, showcasing the harmonious interaction between Chinese and Vietnamese cultures.

Residents flocked to the streets to capture the parade atmosphere during the Nghinh Than festival this morning. "Every year, my entire family makes sure to come out to watch and offer prayers for a peaceful new year," said Nga, a resident on Cach Mang Thang Tam street.

Each time they reached an assembly hall along the road, the parade troupes paused to sing and dance traditional songs, delighting local residents.

Residents paid respects to Duc Ong along the road near Bien Hoa market. "As the procession passed, I offered my wishes to Duc Ong, praying for peace, prosperity, and successful business for the people," said Nguyen Thi Ha, a merchant at Bien Hoa market.

Beyond the street parade, this year's Chua Ong Festival features a range of cultural and sports activities, including: Don ca tai tu (southern Vietnamese folk music) performances, classical opera, Chinese chess exchanges, lion and dragon dances, and the releasing of flower lanterns on the Dong Nai river.

Phuoc Tuan