Tran temple, situated on Tran Thua street in Nam Dinh ward, Ninh Binh province (formerly part of Nam Dinh), is a complex of shrines honoring the Tran kings and meritorious officials who served the dynasty. The seal opening ceremony originates from the Tran dynasty, linked to the victory over the Yuan-Mongol invaders at Thien Truong palace. Following this victory, King Tran Thai Tong held a celebratory feast, bestowing rewards upon his generals and soldiers who had protected the nation's borders.

People receive Tran temple seals in the rain

Today, this site is a popular pilgrimage destination, drawing numerous visitors and devotees, especially on the 15th day of the first lunar month, when the seal opening ceremony takes place. The event commences on the night of the 14th day of the first lunar month with incense offerings and palanquin processions. The seal opening ritual at Thien Truong temple, held at the Ty hour (23h), is considered the most important and sacred moment.

The Tran temple seal opening festival in 2026, scheduled from 27/2 to 4/3 (the 11th-16th days of the first lunar month), is one of the major early spring festivals in the northern region. It embodies the spiritual cultural values and the "Dong A spirit" of the Tran dynasty, which defeated the Yuan-Mongol forces three times. The ritual carries traditional significance for the new year, reflecting humanitarian philosophies on governance and human conduct. The phrases "Tran trieu dien co" (ancient Tran dynasty codes) and "Tich phuc vo cuong" (accumulate endless blessings) inscribed on the seal serve as a reminder across generations to accumulate virtues, maintain traditions, and uphold community responsibility.

Visitors often arrive at the Tran temple area on the afternoon of 2/3 (the 14th day of the first lunar month) to check into hotels, dine, and explore nearby attractions before the ceremony begins. The ceremonial part starts from 22h15 to 22h40, with the Nam Dinh ward People's Committee presiding over the incense offering ceremony, initiating a series of activities to show gratitude to ancestors and pray for national prosperity and peace for the people.

At 23h15, the seal opening ritual is performed within the inner sanctuary of Thien Truong temple—the most sacred moment eagerly awaited by locals and tourists. The series of activities includes the Ngoc Lo Palanquin procession, water procession, fish offering, and releasing fish into the Red River, incense offerings, the Seal Palanquin procession, returning the palanquin to Co Trach temple, Thuong Nguyen ceremony, and the offering of a ceremonial prayer to return to the palace. The festival also features an ornamental plant exhibition, a photo exhibition on the Tran dynasty and Ninh Binh tourism, and the introduction of an "antique market".

From 5h on 4/3 (the 15th day of the first lunar month), the organizing committee begins distributing seals at Giai Vu house, the exhibition house, and Trung Hoa temple. Visitors should plan their time and follow flow directions to avoid overcrowding. According to the organizing committee, receiving a seal is a beautiful cultural practice to pray for blessings and peace at the beginning of the year, but the core value of the festival remains the spirit of returning to one's roots and preserving traditions within the solemn space of the relic site.

**Getting there**

Ninh Binh does not have an airport, so visitors should fly to Hanoi and then travel by road. Tran temple is approximately 90 km from Hanoi, with convenient access via the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway. Travel time is about two hours by oto. Visitors can choose bus companies such as Nam Dinh Limousine, Phuong Trang, or Phiet Hoc, with ticket prices ranging from 100.000 to 150.000 VND per person. Approximately 10 daily trains depart from Hanoi, stopping at Nam Dinh station. Visitors can check schedules and purchase tickets according to their itinerary, with one-way fares starting from about 100.000 VND.

**Accommodation**

The area around Tran temple in Nam Dinh ward offers many accommodation options convenient for visitors attending the festival. Visitors can choose hotels like MD, Wiltons, Nam Cuong Nam Dinh Hotel, or Ruby hotel, with prices ranging from 500.000 VND to one million VND per night. More budget-friendly guesthouses and hotels are available, with prices typically ranging from 150.000 VND to 300.000 VND.

**Combined tours and attractions**

**Pho Minh Pagoda**

This is the only architectural structure from the ancient Thien Truong royal palace that remains almost fully intact today.

The pagoda dates back to the Ly dynasty, expanded in 1262, and served the Buddhist worship needs of the Retired Emperor and Tran dynasty princes and nobles. Besides Buddha worship, the pagoda houses statues of Emperor-monk Tran Nhan Tong and Zen masters Huyen Quang and Pho Loa, who founded the Truc Lam Zen sect.

**Nam Dinh Flagpole**

The Nam Dinh Flagpole, also known as the Thanh Nam Flag Tower, is one of the region's prominent architectural symbols. Constructed during the Nguyen dynasty within the former Nam Dinh ancient citadel, its design resembles the Hanoi Flagpole. The tower features three stacked square bases, topped by a tall, rising pillar, creating a striking focal point in the urban landscape. Despite historical changes, the flagpole remains preserved as an important relic of the Thanh Nam region. It is a familiar attraction for visitors to old Nam Dinh, often combined with exploring the ancient streets and the Tran temple complex.

**Nam Dinh Textile Museum**

Located on Tran Dang Ninh street, this museum is a destination for history enthusiasts. Here, visitors can journey back in time to learn about the lives of textile factory workers during the resistance war against the French, through hundreds of artifacts preserved to this day. Visitors can also combine this visit with a trip to Vi Xuyen Lake, then stroll through central streets like Hang Sat, Hang Dong, Hang Tien, and Hang Cap to admire the remaining ancient houses of old Thanh Nam.

**Vi Khe Ornamental Plant Village**

This village, located in Dien Xa commune, is about 5 km southeast of central Nam Dinh. The village has a history of over 700 years and is often jokingly referred to as the "billionaire village" by visitors. Ornamental plant artisans here continue their craft through generations, passed down from father to son. According to local artisans, many ornamental plants in their gardens have been cultivated over two, three generations, only reaching their intended artistic completion in their current generation. Some trees planted today will only take shape in their children's or grandchildren's generations. For these artisans, each plant is not just an artwork but also nurtured like a child in the family.

Visitors can design a tour to visit famous churches in old Nam Dinh, combining it with European-style photography. The journey could begin at Bui Chu Bishop's Palace, followed by Kien Lao Holy Temple and Phu Nhai Basilica, one of Vietnam's largest churches. Additionally, visitors can visit Thanh Danh Parish, Nam Dinh Grand Church in central Nam Dinh ward, and Khoai Dong Church. Most of these destinations are concentrated in Xuan Truong commune.

**Cuisine**

**Enjoying Pho**

Nam Dinh is renowned for its famous beef pho. The "Pho Homeland" is located in Giao Cu village, Nam Dong commune, 14 km from Nam Dinh city. Giao Cu is a long-standing village specializing in making pho noodles.

The ingredients include seasonal rice from the previous harvest, aged to remove stickiness, then ground with a stone mortar and thinly spread over a pot of charcoal-fired water. The pho noodles here are white, chewy, and fragrant. The pho broth is simmered from beef bones, quality fish sauce, sa sung (peanut worms), and dried shallots. In central Nam Dinh, visitors can find popular local pho eateries such as Pho Cu Tang (Hang Tien), Pho Co (Ly Thuong Kiet), Pho Co Beu (Hai Ba Trung), and Pho Mai (Dien Bien Phu).

**Ca Up Chau**

This rustic dish is associated with the Nam Dinh countryside, often appearing at family gatherings or during festivals and Tet. The fish chosen is typically fresh carp, common carp, or snakehead fish, cleaned but kept whole, then marinated with salt, galangal, lemongrass, and traditional spices.

The unique aspect of this dish lies in its preparation: the fish is placed on a layer of dry straw, covered with an aluminum or iron pot, and then the straw around it is lit. The even heat slowly cooks the fish, crisping its skin to a golden brown and imparting a distinctive smoky aroma, while the flesh inside remains tender and sweet. Ca up chau is typically served with fresh herbs, vermicelli, or white rice, dipped in ginger fish sauce or chili garlic fish sauce. The dish is appealing not only for its flavor but also for evoking the atmosphere of the northern delta countryside.

**Do Quan Bridge Baguette**

This baguette is a local favorite, found right at the foot of Do Quan Bridge, priced from 10.000 VND per piece. It features a crispy baguette shell filled with pate and shredded pork. Visitors can also add fillings like omelet with pate and char siu. You can enjoy it right at the stall with a glass of soy milk.

**Sticky Rice with Char Siu (Xoi Xiu)**

Traditional Nam Dinh xoi xiu is unique because it is not served with dried shallots or pickled vegetables, and uses char siu instead of braised pork. Xoi xiu stalls usually do not have fixed prices; diners can order the desired amount of sticky rice and request additions or subtractions of toppings. The sticky rice is kept hot in a pot, then scooped into a bowl when served, with dry ingredients added sequentially, followed by a generous pour of sauce.

The white sticky rice forms a base for the red of Chinese sausage, the pale yellow of shredded pork, and the rich brown of char siu and its sauce. The sticky rice grains are plump and chewy, not mushy. The char siu is tender and flavorful, blending with a thick sauce that balances sweet and savory notes. The shredded pork is light and slightly chewy, and the creamy pate creates a harmonious blend of colors and flavors.

**Xiu Pao Pastry**

This dish has been a local specialty since Chinese immigrants introduced it long ago. It looks like a fried bun, but its filling resembles a baked pastry, and its outer crust is similar to Soc Trang's pia pastry. The main ingredients include wheat flour, meat, eggs, pork fat, and specific spices, depending on family recipes.

To make a delicious pastry, pork loin is typically marinated with minced garlic, five-spice powder, oyster sauce, and honey, then fried until golden brown and fragrant. The char siu pork is diced and mixed with wood ear mushrooms, pork fat, and half a boiled chicken egg for the filling. When baked, the pastry is brushed with a layer of oil and egg to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. The pastry maker must also be meticulous and skilled to create thin, layered crusts.

**Giao Thuy Fermented Pork Roll (Nem Nam Giao Thuy)**

To create this authentic nem, one must select high-quality pork, free of tendons and excess fat. After purchasing, the meat is briefly dipped in boiling water to partially cook it and retain its sweetness. The roasted rice powder (thinh) must be perfectly toasted, with a beautiful golden color. The pork skin is thoroughly scraped clean of hair, boiled until cooked, then thinly sliced like noodles. Once all necessary ingredients are ready, the pork, skin, and thinh are mixed with quality fish sauce, garlic, pepper, and chili. This mixture is kneaded until well combined, then rolled into small balls and wrapped. It can be stored for several days without refrigeration. When eating, take a small amount, wrap it in fig leaves and "dinh lang" leaves, creating a bite-sized piece.

If staying for several days, visitors can combine their trip with a visit to Quat Lam Beach, one of old Nam Dinh's famous beaches, about 15 minutes from the temple area. Here, visitors can buy fresh seafood and either have it prepared or dine at beachfront restaurants like Bien Xanh Restaurant, Huong Ha Restaurant, Hai Dang Restaurant, or Hung Oanh Restaurant, which offer diverse menus and spacious settings. Afterward, the journey can extend to Thinh Long Beach to experience another coastal destination in the area.

**Notes**

Locals wishing to receive a seal at Tran temple should choose the morning of the 15th day of the first lunar month to avoid overcrowding on the night of the 14th, when the seal opening ceremony takes place.

In previous years, the large number of people led to many being unable to enter the inner area, forcing them to stay awake or sleep outdoors in cold, rainy conditions, which affected their health. The organizing committee advises people to queue in an orderly manner and maintain a civilized attitude when receiving seals. Typically, each person is given two seals to prevent excessive requests, which can cause unfairness and unnecessary congestion.