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Hung Yen
Area: 923.5 sq. km.
Population: 1,142.7 thousand habitants (2006)
Capital: Hung Yen Town.
Districts: My Hao, Van Lam, Yen My, Khoai Chau, Van Giang, An Thi, Kim Dong, Phu Cu, Tien Lu.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Nung, Tay.
Introduction: Geography, Tourism, Transportation.
Attraction:
- Historical & Cultural Vestiges: Chu Dong Tu Temple.
- Cultural Travel: An Xa Village Festival, Ban Village Yen Nhan Festival, Chu Dong Tu Festival, Co Le Hamlet Festival, Duong Phuc Festival, Ghenh Temple Festival, Hien Street, Kim Dang Festival, Mai Vien Festival, Man Tru Commune Festival, Minh Tap Commune Festival, Nam Tri Festival, Ngoc Lich Hamlet Festival, Phu Ung Festival, Thanh Sam Festival, Tho Hoang Hamlet Festival, Tram Nhi Festival, Tu Phap Pagoda Festival.
Geography
 Located in center of Red River Delta, Hung Yen shares border with Bac Ninh Province on the north, Ha Nam Province on the south, Hai Duong, Thai Binh provinces on the east, Ha Tay Province and Hanoi on the west.
Terrain in Hung Yen is quite event and flat with many rivers. Hong, Luoc, Cuu An, Ke Sat rivers surrounds three sides of province. In addition of that, there are Kim Nguu, Nghia Ly, and Bac Hung Hai rivers.
Climate: Hung Yen belongs to monsoon - tropical climate area. There are clearly two seasons: the hot and the cold seasons. Cold season is dry, from November to April next year. In hot season, it rains a lot from May to October. The annual average temperature is about 23ºC.
Tourism
The famous site in Hung Yen is Pho Hien relic group, including Van Mieu, Hien, Chuong pagodas, Mau Temple. Other popular sites are Kim Chung, Huong Lang, Thai Lac, Ne Chau pagodas, Chu Dong Tu, Phuong Hoang, Dau An, Da Hoa temples.
Hung Yen is home of famous people like Nguyen Binh, Hoang Hoa Tham, Doan Thi Diem, Le Huu Trac, Chu Manh Trinh, Vu Trong Phung, Nguyen Cong Hoan, To Ngoc Van, Pham Huy Thong.
Coming to there, visitors enjoy traditional songs such as cheo, a dao, trong quan or take part in Chu Dong Tu, Tu Phap, An Xa Village, Ghenh Temple, Co Le, Tho Hoang hamlets festivals.
Especially, Hung Yen's cape-longan is very well-known. This sweet longan with a thick pulp and a thin peel, used to be offered to kings only.
Transportation
Hung Yen Town is 60km from Hanoi.
Hung Yen locates on National Highway No.5: Hanoi - Hung Yen - Hai Duong - Haiphong.
There is National Highway No.39 linking from My Hao District to Hung Yen Town and then Thai Binh.
National Highway No.38 connects to Bac Ninh.
Hanoi - Haiphong railway also comes over Hung Yen.
Attraction
1) Historical & Cultural Vestiges
Location: Located in Binh Minh Commune, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, about 25km from Hanoi along the Red River.
Characteristics: This temple worships Saint Chu Dong Tu, who has been honoured as one of four immortal Vietnamese spirits, and his wife, Princess Tien Dung, who was the daughter of 18th King Hung.
Also called Da Hoa Temple, the temple is located on a rectangular, even, wide and high area of 18,720m², facing the west. Its Ngo Mon Gate (Principal Gate) consists of three doors. The main door leads to a wide and high three-partitioned house with a top engraved with two dragons flanking a moon. This door is only opened on special occasions. The two side doors receive visitors at any time.
Passing through the yard visitors will arrive Dai Te, Thieu Huong House, De Nhi Palace, De Tam Palace and finally the Sanctuary. The Thieu Huong House was built in a solemn spacious architectural style. The ending of  the upper rooftop and the edge of the roof are carved in detail and colourfully modeled with many decorative shapes such as dragons and lions. The door at De Nhi Palace is carved with a phoenix, huge blooming chrysanthemums and other kinds of fruits flowers painted in vermilion and gilt. There are also beautiful bronze statues of Saint Chu Dong Tu and his wife.
Today, Da Hoa Temple still preserves many precious relics, among which is an invaluable pair of Bach Tho vases (Bach Tho here refers to one hundred Tho Chinese characters engraved on the bodies of the vases in various different styles).
2) Cultural Travel
Time: The 1st day of the twelfth lunar month.
Place: An Xa Village, Toan Thang Commune, Kim Dong District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Village's tutelary god Anh Lang - Duc Van Royal Highest in the reign of Hung Due Vuong who had merit of helping people in the region to escape famine.
Characteristics: Ceremony of recalling the embodied day of the An Xa village's tutelary god.
- Ban Village Yen Nhan Festival
Time: 11th day of the fourth lunar month.
Place: Ban Town, Yen Nhan Village, My Hao District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: General Doan Thuong (Dong Hai Royal Highest) of Ly Dynasty.
Characteristics: Procession, boi chess, cock fighting, hau dong, sortilege.
Time: From the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month.
Place: Da Hoa Temple and Da Trach Temple, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Chu Dong Tu and his two wives: Princess Tien Dung and Princess Tay Sa.
Characteristics: The procession of 9 communes from communal houses to Da Hoa Temple; the water procession from Hong River (Red River) to Da Trach Temple of 8 other communes; trong quan singing.
Chu Dong Tu is one of four immortal gods in the Vietnamese pantheon. The festival annually takes place from the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month at two temples, Da Hoa and Da Trach, in Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province.
Starting from Ha Noi, visitors can travel downstream on the Red River by boat or canoe, or go by motorbike along the dyke of the Red River for 20 km. During the festival, pilgrims in colourful dress converge on the two temples, Da Hoa and Da Trach.
At Da Hoa Temple
In the early morning of the 10th, the inhabitants of nine communes hold a long procession along the dyke of the Red River to Da Hoa Temple. Marching in the van of the procession is Hoang Trach Commune. Following are Dong Que, Bang Nha, Phu Thi, Phuc Trach, Thiet Tru, Nhan Thap, Da Hoa communes, and finally Me So Commune.
When the procession reaches the temple, palanquins and offerings are placed at a stipulated place. Then, the members of the procession and pilgrims begin the opening ceremony at the courtyard.
As the opening ceremony and incense presenting ceremony end, people participate in traditional games that take place during day and night.
At Da Trach Temple
In the morning of the 10th, residents of Da Trach, Ham Tu, Yen Phu, Dong Tao and Tu Dan communes, Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province hold a procession from Da Trach Temple to the Red River to get water.
The water procession is preceded by a 20 meter-long dragon. Thirty strong young men carry the dragon and dance in the rhythm of drumbeats, which makes the procession jubilant. Following are two rows of women in colorful dresses holding flags, gongs and drums, and parasols. Young women perform a dance with conical hats and castanets with coins stringed. Young men carry palanquins holding a jar, and a profusely decorated stick and conic hat - the two magic articles bestowed on Chu Dong Tu by the Buddha. Then come three palanquins containing the tablets of Chu Dong Tu and his two wives. The end is God of Carp palanquin " Be ngu than quan". Notable men in traditional dresses go after the procession.
When the procession arrives at the riverbank, the boats of Khoai Chau District sail downstream the Red River to meet the procession of Mai Dong Commune (Hung Yen Province), Khai Thai and Tu Nhien Communes (Ha Tay Province). They join into a long procession and row to middle of the river to get water. The procession brings water to the temple at 11.30 a.m and the opening ceremony begins.
After the water palanquin is placed in the temple, palanquins of gods are placed in the courtyard, then the dragon dancing group comes to the temple's door worship god; senh tien dance and conical hats dance are performed on Tien Bridge.
After the opening ceremony, various games and activities are organized such as wrestling, human chess, and traditional and religious dances.
Time: The 10th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Place: Co Le Hamlet, An Thi District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Village's tutelary gods - three meritorious officials (Tuan, Chieu, Minh) in the reign of Hung Due Vuong, who had merit of fighting Thuc troops.
Characteristics: Singing and chess playing.
Time: 16th day of the eleventh lunar month.
Place: Kim Dong District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Village's tutelary god Trinh Phuc Tu Hoa Doan Trang Thanh Mau Royal Highest who died but always appear with supernatural power in helping villagers to avoid robbery danger.
Characteristics: Commemoration of the embodied day of the village's tutelary god.
Time: From the 5th to the 16th day of the third lunar month.
Place: Nhu Quynh Town, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Queen mother Y Lan (the wife of King Ly Thanh Tong and the mother of Ly Nhan Tong), had merit of putting the court in order and reigning the country when the King himself conduct the battle.
Characteristics: Sacrifices -offering ceremony, a big procession.
 Location: In Hung Yen Town today, 60km from Hanoi.
Characteristics: There is still a whole architectural complex of 60 historical vestiges, 100 engraved stelae, and many temples and pagodas in Hien Street
Many Vietnamese are familiar with the saying "One should first visit Thang Long and then Hien Street". From Hanoi, take road 5 to Pho Noi, then road 39A through corn and rice fields and luxuriant gardens of longan trees to finally reach the Hien Street port. Hien Street is located 60km from Hanoi.
Hien Street gave up its position as a commercial port to Haiphong, and kept only its ancient cultural  significance. Today in Hien Street, there is still a whole architectural complex of 60 historical vestiges, 100 engraved stelae, and many temples and pagodas. The cage-longan (the name comes from the technique of covering the longans with cages to protect them from the birds) is a specialty of Hien Street that is famous throughout the country. The cage-longan has a thick pulp and a thin peel and is very sweet. The cage-longans of Hien Street used to be offered to kings. Do not forget to visit the Hien Street market when coming to Hien Street.
Time: The 17th day of the eleventh lunar month.
Place: Kim Dong District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Village's tutelary god - Te The Ho Quoc, and his wife Moi Nuong Trinh Thuc, who assisted Dinh Tien Hoang in quelling 12 vassals.
Characteristics: Commemoration of the embodied day of the village's tutelary god.
Time: 2nd day of the eighth lunar month.
Place: Kim Dong District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: The village's tutelary gods (Two princesses - Ao Do Dai Vuong mandarins).
Characteristics: Offerings are black pig, steamed glutinous rice, wine, and singing.
Time: The 2nd day of the seventh lunar month.
Place: Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Seven Royal Highest mandarins (Hai, Linh, Long, Loi, Luong, Nhao, Son) in the reign of Hung Vuong, who had merit of quelling a revolt in Hung Hoa.
Characteristics: The offerings include buffalo, goat, pig; and entertainment.
- Minh Tap Commune Festival
Time: The 2nd day of the eleventh lunar month.
Place: Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Village's tutelary god - Uy Muc Oai Linh Dai Vuong (in the reign of Hung Due Vuong) who had merit of fighting Thuc troops and his soul always appear with great power in helping King Ly Nam De fight against drought and give famine relief for people.
Time: The 4th day of the sixth lunar month.
Place: An Thi District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Three village's tutelary gods: Bao, Lang, Bien (the 2nd century BC), who had merit of fighting cruel people, making medicine to cure people.
Characteristics: Offerings include chicken, steamed glutinous rice, rice wine.
- Ngoc Lich Hamlet Festival
Time: The 3rd day of the seventh lunar month.
Place: Ngoc Lich Hamlet, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Three Royal Highest mandarins - village's tutelary gods: Lam Lang, Linh Lang, Ngoc Luyen, who had talent in fighting the aggressors (in the reign of Hung Vuong).
Characteristics: Slaughtering buffalo for offering to worship.
Time: 12th to the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Place: Phu Ung Commune, An Thi District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Pham Ngu Lao (famous general of Tran Hung Dao).
Characteristics: Incense-offering ceremony.
Time: The 2nd day of the fifth lunar month.
Place: Kim Dong District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Tutelary god Huong Thien, Dao Quang (the reign of Hung Due Vuong), who had merit of fighting Thuc troop.
Characteristics: The festival recalls the embodied day of tutelary god.
- Tho Hoang Hamlet Festival
Time: The 1st day of the tenth lunar month.
Place: Tho Hoang Hamlet, An Thi Town, An Thi District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Tutelary god of hamlet Bui Dao Vuong Phuc Than who had merit of assisting Trieu Quang Phuc in fighting Luong troops.
Characteristics: Offerings are incense and flower, vegetarian meal, banh day; singing and fun games.
Time: The 4th day of the fifth lunar month and the 12th day of the eleventh lunar month.
Place: An Thi District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: The village's tutelary god - Princess Lien Hoa (daughter of King Dinh Tien Hoang), who had put down a revolt of 12 vassals with her father.
Characteristics: The vegetarian offerings of put on the upper table. Pork, chicken, steamed glutinous rice, wine, all put on the lower table.
Time: The 8th day of the fourth lunar month.
Place: Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province.
Objects of worship: Four female deities: Phap Van (Cloud Deity), Phap Vu (Rain Deity), Phap Loi (Thunder Deity) and Phap Dien (Light Deity).
Characteristics: Festival of exchanging visitors and helpers in some villages, a great procession of villages that worship Ladies but only processions of three Ladies Van, Vu, Loi come to Lady Dien. The villagers believe that if Lady Dien is taken out of the pagoda, the village will fire.
(Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) |
