The Sacred Mystery of Tam Thanh Pagoda

Lang Son, a frontier land at the nation's northern gateway, draws visitors from near and far, not only with its many scenic landmarks and historic sites, but also with its rich traditional culture and hundreds of unique festivals, especially in spring. In the first month of the new year, visitors coming to Lang Son around mid-month can enjoy its famous festivals, including the Tam Thanh Pagoda Festival, held in Tam Thanh Ward, Lang Son City. The Palanquin procession at the Tam Thanh Pagoda Festival is taking place now. Joining the procession are elders, ceremonial mediums, local people, and visitors from across the country. Leading the way is a lion dance troupe, followed by the national flags, festival flags, yellow royal flags, and red flags. The musicians play as they march along the streets. Gong and drum teams, ceremonial weapons, sacred regalia, and parasols walk on both sides of the palanquin. Bringing up the rear are hammock bearers, parasols, officials, and local people. Amid resounding festival drums, lively music and the fragrant smoke of incense, young men and women, elders and locals dress in colorful traditional ceremonial clothes, their faces bright with joy and excitement. People and visitors lining the streets watch the palanquin procession with delight and enthusiasm, creating a lively atmosphere that is both sacred and wonderfully close to everyday life, clearly expressing the community spirit in their faith and procession. And leaving a deep impression on visitors from near and far. I didn't know the festival was held on the full moon day. We're so happy and lucky to be here during the festival. And to have such an interesting experience at the start of the year. Throughout the nation's history of building and defending the country, Lang Son is a strategically important region. So every feudal dynasty appointed officials to govern and defend it, including Governor-General Ngo Tse. Historical records say that in 1777, Ngo Tse was appointed Governor-General of Lang Son. He was a farsighted, visionary statesman, deeply committed to reforming the politics of his time and creating a stable society where people could live and work in peace. During his tenure in Lang Son, he discovered and restored many scenic sites and wrote poems and prose praising the beauty of the region. The Ni Tan and Tam Thanh Scenic Sites are two of the eight beauties of the region And important cultural heritage sites discovered and restored by Governor-General Ngo Tse. In 1779, Governor-General Ngo Tse discovered and restored Ni Tan Cave. It is a natural cave over 600 meters long, with a jade spring flowing through it. The cave walls bear many inscriptions carved by Governor-General Ngo Tse. In particular, a portrait relief of Ngo Tse stands before the cave entrance, commissioned by him. Beneath it is a eulogy he composed and inscribed himself, titled Titled The Portrait Eulogy. It reveals in detail both his appearance and his character. No T.C. had his words carved into the cliff first out of his deep affection for the cave he discovered, restored, and named. He also wished to draw close to and become one with the region he had devoted himself to. He expressed this wish in the poems and prose inscribed on the cave walls. Visitors to Ni Tan Cave, viewing the portrait and the poetic inscriptions on the cliffs, still feel deeply moved by this humble yet learned man, whose noble spirit was devoted wholeheartedly to his people and country. Beside Ni Tan Cave stands Tam Jiao Pagoda, built by Noh Thi Si to honor Confucius, Laozi, and Shakyamuni Buddha. Tam Tan Pagoda is quite extraordinary, as it lies inside a cave. Its roof and worship arrangements are formed by the natural rock of Tam Tan Cave, part of the Cat To Cave complex in Tam Tan Ward. In Dainom Notbong Chee, a historian of the Nguyen dynasty wrote that the pagoda was built during the Lu dynasty. The pagoda lies in a limestone cave in Vinh Tre commune, Philt Lang district. With a clean, peaceful entrance adorned with stalactites, untouched by worldly dust. Locals and Minh Hung people worshiped a Buddha statue here, it is also known as Tan Tien Pagoda. Researchers say Tam Tan Pagoda was originally a place of Taoist worship. Hence Tam Tan refers to Yuching, Shangqing, and Taiching. These are the three highest celestial palaces, regarded as three fairy realms. Each ruled by a deity. Later, as Taoist influences faded from local people's beliefs, Buddhist elements became the main focus of worship at the site. Today, the only remaining trace of Taoism is the name Tam Tan. The Tam Tan Pagoda Festival is held every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Tam Tan Pagoda is a famous tourist attraction in the region. Every spring, it draws thousands of visitors to sightsee and worship. Many visitors who come during the festival enjoy experiencing its culture, entertainment, spiritual activities, and one of Lang Son's finest scenic spots. I am a descendant of Noh Tse from Toh Ton Oai, Ton Tri, Hanoi. Today, at Tam Tan Cave, the organizers invited the Noh family descendants here. Seeing everyone welcome our ancestor so solemnly and joyfully makes me very happy. The Governor-General Noh Tse Palanquin procession begins in the morning at Tam Chau Pagoda, proceeds from Nhat Tan Cave to Tam Ton Pagoda and Tam Ton Cave, then returns in the afternoon. Along the way, the procession passes through Nhat Tan, Tran Dang Ninh, Lo Hong Phong, and Tam Tan streets. At intersections or temples, the procession stops on the officiant signal, and the palanquin rotates one to three times before moving on. The rotating palanquin is a spiritual folk tradition seen during early spring festivals. It is the most lively part, bringing joy to the people and inviting visitors to join in. Along the procession route, residents prepare solemn offerings of local specialties to welcome the palanquin. The atmosphere is even more exciting when lion and dragon dancers visit families to wish them a happy new year. We hope next year brings smoother work, good health, peace, and prosperity. It's also a chance for people living far from home to reunite with their families. Neighbors come together to meet, share their joy, and wish one another a peaceful, happy new year. This mid-January festival, organized by both the ward and the city, is truly magnificent. Our family gathers at home to enjoy the festival, and we hope it will continue every year. This year was especially joyful. As the procession passed by, we welcomed the palanquin and prayed for peace, blessings, favorable weather, and good health for everyone. May everyone stay healthy. The Governor-General Noh Tse Palanquin Procession from Tam Chau Pagoda to Tam Ton Pagoda and back Traditional rituals revived in recent years to preserve and honor our intangible cultural heritage. The procession recreates the traditional spiritual practices of local residents, honoring the contributions of Governor-General Noh Tse while enriching folk cultural activities during the early New Year. It awakens pride in our national history and cultural traditions, and teaches unity and gratitude toward those who came before us. This activity is enormously and makes a significant contribution to teaching history. So future generations remember their roots and national history and cherish their ancestors' traditional cultural heritage. In traditional festival processions, those who carry the palanquin and join the procession are usually carefully selected young men and women aged 17 or 18. They must be healthy, capable, virtuous, and free of any serious criticism in the community. Everyone chosen for the procession feels honored, both personally and as a source of pride for their family. As a student, I'm very happy to take part in the Tam Ton Pagoda Palanquin Festival. It honors Noh Tse, who created many beautiful works in Lang Son, and this tradition inspires me to study history and learn more. At the Tam Ton Pagoda Festival, besides the lively palanquin procession through the streets, visitors pass through Tam Quang Gate and enter the pagoda inside the cave, where they feel as if they have entered a mysterious, otherworldly spiritual realm. Inside the cave are many Buddhist shrines, each with its own location and arrangement. On the festival day, organizers gather at Tam Quang Gate's incense courtyard. They chant sutras and strike bells and drums, praying for favorable weather, peace, and good health in the new year. Besides the main spiritual rites, chanting at the Three Jewels Sanctuary and offerings at the Ton Mau Sanctuary, the Tam Ton Pagoda Festival also features other religious activities, such as ceremonial offerings, prayers for abundant harvests, favorable weather, and a warm, happy life. The festival program also offers delegates, residents, and visitors special artistic performances and lively lion dances rich in ethnic character. They can also enjoy cultural exchanges, traditional sports competitions, and folk games. One of the main attractions is a historical reenactment featuring Governor-General Noh Tse. Mr. Huan, who portrays Governor-General Noh Tse, Feels honored and proud to contribute to the festival's success. It is also an opportunity for him and the people of Lang Son to honor and remember Governor-General Noh Tse's contributions as an official who defended and developed the border region. He left behind a rich literary legacy praising Lang Son's beauty, and discovered and restored Nha Thanh Cave. The cave was named after his religious name, Nha Thanh Cave, as was Tam Thanh Pagoda and Tam Thanh Cave. I feel proud and very happy to have taken part in Noh Tse reenactments for many years. This expresses our culture, our appreciation, and our respect and gratitude for the great cultural figure Governor-General Noh Tse in Lang Son. Personally, I hope to contribute even more to the festival's success. Alongside Tam Thanh Pagoda's traditional rituals, the organizers have also created activities to bring people together. The festivities here are extremely diverse, with many folk games and performances by local residents. Amid the lively drums welcoming a new festival season, the lion dance is especially impressive, combined with the graceful traditional dances of young men and women. Together, they create a bustling festival scene suited to the atmosphere of spring. Although it does not fall on a weekend this year, the fine weather has drawn many local residents and visitors to the Tam Thanh Tam Giao Pagoda Festival. People have come from both within and outside the province. Organizers estimate that more than 5,000 people attended the festival. Like festivals elsewhere, every program at the Tam Thanh Pagoda Festival is carefully prepared and thoroughly reviewed by the organizers, because this is not merely a custom or tradition. Carefully prepared and thoroughly reviewed by the organizers, because this is not merely a custom or tradition, but it promotes the image of the ancient pagoda and its cultural heritage at home and abroad. Detailed plans ensure security and order, environmental protection, and urban management, so the festival can take place safely. Transparently, responsibly, and joyfully for residents and visitors. The Tam Tam Pagoda Festival holds immense spiritual and cultural significance, not only for the people of Lang Son, but also for visitors from far and wide. Holding the festival preserves national cultural values and helps people understand local customs and traditional rituals. Through history's ups and downs, the traditional palanquin procession has been created, maintained, and preserved by the community, becoming a distinctive folk tradition. It fosters community solidarity in preserving and honoring national cultural identity, making it an ideal destination for anyone who loves exploring spiritual beauty and majestic nature. If you have the chance, come and experience the peace and serenity of this beautiful land. With its unique architecture, long history, and sacred atmosphere, Tam Thanh and Tam Giao Pagodas