In commemoration of the 726th anniversary of the passing of Grand Commander Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, the traditional 8th lunar month festival of the Year of the Fire Horse will be held at Tran Temple, Thap Pagoda, and Bao Loc Temple, Nam Dinh Ward, Ninh Binh Province. The festival honors the legacy of Duc Thanh Tran, promotes patriotic tradition, and celebrates the cultural values of the Tran Dynasty.
At Bao Loc Temple, the main activities will take place from September 20 to 30, 2026. The highlight falls on September 25 (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month), featuring a traditional palanquin procession from the temple to the mausoleum and back, accompanied by Dragon and Lion dances and a traditional eight-tone music ensemble; the festival's opening ceremony will take place in the afternoon.
September 30 (the 20th day of the 8th lunar month) marks the main commemoration day, observing 726 years since the passing of Hung Dao Vuong. At Bao Loc Temple, a morning incense-offering ceremony will be followed by an afternoon memorial rite. On the same day, at Tran Temple, rituals will include ceremonial drumming, incense offerings at Thien Truong, Co Trach, and Trung Hoa temples, and the Nam Quan memorial rite.
Alongside the solemn ceremonies, the festival will also feature a range of traditional cultural and sporting activities, including Dragon, Lion, and Qilin dances, martial arts performances, wrestling matches, human chess, cockfighting, water puppetry, and traditional folk performances, creating a vibrant cultural space for local residents and visitors alike.
With its solemn ceremonial program and rich array of cultural activities, the 8th lunar month traditional festival of the Year of the Fire Horse stands as one of the key events contributing to the preservation of Tran Dynasty heritage, the promotion of patriotic tradition, and the wider promotion of Ninh Binh's cultural and tourism image. Visitors are encouraged to plan a trip to Nam Dinh Ward in the final days of September to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and reconnect with cultural values passed down through generations.