Hoa Da Trach Temple

Hoa Da Trach Temple, also called Da Trach Temple, is located in Yen Vinh village, Da Trach commune, Khoai Chau district. The temple is dedicated to Chu Dong Tu, Princess Tien Dung and Princess Hong Van. Hoa Da Trach Temple is said to have been built on the former high platform of Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung's castle and citadel, after they had returned to the Heaven.

At the end of the 19^th century, the temple was restored thanks to the contributions of people in Vinh canton and Dr. Chu Manh Trinh, who was in leading charge of the restoration.

Hoa Da Trach Temple remain many ancient objects, such as nomination certification boards, horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, parallel sentences, particularly a conical hat and a walking stick – the magical objects that Chu Dong Tu used to help people. A carp statue, which is called "Mr. Be" or "Be ngu than quan", depicts a carp turning into a dragon. There is also a bell cast in the 14^th year of King Thanh Thai (1902) and engraved with the temple's restoration process.

It is said that when the Ming troops invaded our country and the Ho dynasty fell down, Nguyen Trai made offerings at Hoa Da Trach Temple and a deity omened that he had to go to Lam Son to help Le Loi in the fighting against the Ming invaders.

In the relic complex, there remains Da Trach swamp – a relic of the former large Da Trach swamp – where Trieu Quang Phuc troops garrisoned to fight against the Liang invaders in the 6^th century and gained victory over the enemy.

Every year, Hoa Da Trach Temple celebrates four ceremonies on January 4^th (In lunar year) – on Princess Tien Dung's birthday anniversary, February 10^th – on Princess Hong Van's birthday anniversary, August 12nd – on Chu Dong Tu's birthday anniversary, and November 17^th – on the Saint’s death anniversary. The temple's main festival is held on Princess Hong Van's birthday anniversary, from 10^th to 12nd February.

The festival is opened by procession carrying water from the Red River to the temple. The majestic procession is led by golden-dragon dancers, flag carriers, drummers, an octet of instrumental players, eight carriers of valuable offering things, “sinh tien” dancers, the King’s palanquin, water big-bellied jar palanquin, conical hat palanquin, walking stick palanquin and three palanquins carrying statues of Chu Dong Tu, Tien Dung and Princess Hong Van. When the procession arrives in the Red River, at the same time, a dragon boat from Tu Nhien alluvial plain (In Tu Nhien commune, Thuong Tin district, Ha Tay province) comes to join in the procession. On the river, flags fluttering in the wind, golden dragon effigies waving and the bustling sound of drums, singers and musical instruments make the procession splendid and ebullient. An old man of the village carefully picks up some dippers of water then pours it into the big-bellied jar carried by a palanquin.

Every three years, an exchange procession from Da Trach Temple to Tu Ho Temple is held on January 11st (In lunar year). The procession, from Da Trach Temple to Tu Ho Temple, makes offerings at Tu Ho Temple and stays there for a night. The procession comes back to Da Trach Temple next morning. If the procession comes from Da Trach Temple to Tu Ho Temple in this festival, it will come from Tu Ho Temple to Da Trach Temple in the next three years. The procession will make offerings at Yen Temple, which is in Tu Ho temple. Yen Temple is said to be the place where Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung had a party before going to Da Trach. The procession goes through Duc Nhuan village, Dong Kim and drops by corn and sugar-cane fields and Da Trach swamp to commemorate the former castle and citadel of Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung.

Many activities, such as trong quan singing, quan ho singing, ca tru…, and traditional games (Earthenware pot beating, Kieu bridge passing, catching ducks in the pond and blindman’s buff…) are held during the festival.