The ceremony was attended by leaders of the Hai Phong Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee; leaders of departments, agencies and localities; as well as a large number of officials, residents and visitors from across the country.

Local residents take part in the traditional procession.

From early morning, local residents’ processions proceeded with flags, palanquins, canopies, ceremonial tablets, ceremonial weapons and offerings, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere on the main day commemorating Saint Tran. The processions made their way to the Kiep Bac Temple Relic Site to conduct incense-offering and worship rituals.

The traditional procession

The procession is one of the important traditional rituals of the Con Son–Kiep Bạc Autumn Festival and has been preserved and practiced by the community over generations. The ritual is associated with local customs observed on the death anniversary of Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn, while also recreating the solemn atmosphere of historical military marches and campaigns. According to materials from the Côn Sơn–Kiếp Bạc Relic Management Board, the traditional procession involved residents from Van Yen and Duoc Son villages, with elaborate offerings prepared for Saint Tran.

City leaders offer incense in commemoration of Hung Dao Dai Vuong.

Following the procession, the groups proceeded to the Mam Xai Mountain area behind Kiep Bac Temple to conduct the death anniversary ceremony for Saint Tran. The site is associated with legends concerning the final days of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and is a sacred space within the Kiep Bac relic complex. Here, delegates, residents and visitors respectfully offered incense in commemoration of the national hero, praying for national peace and prosperity and a peaceful and prosperous life. The ritual at Mam Xoi Mountain has also been maintained as part of the Saint Tran death anniversary ceremony in recent years.

Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn was an outstanding national military commander who made major contributions to the Tran Dynasty’s efforts to lead its army and people in defeating the Mongol–Yuan invaders three times in the 13th century. He died on the 20th day of the eighth lunar month in the Year of the Rat (1300) in Van Kiep. Following his death, the Tran Dynasty ordered the construction of a temple on the site of his former residence, which is the location of Kiep Bac Temple today. Over the centuries, the image of Saint Tran has become an important symbol in the cultural and religious life of the Vietnamese people.

Residents and visitors offer incense in commemoration of Hung Dao Dai Vương.

Alongside the traditional procession and death anniversary ceremony, the commemorative worship ceremony for Saint Tran was held solemnly in accordance with traditional rituals. Delegates, residents and visitors respectfully offered incense to commemorate the contributions of Hưng Đạo Đại Vương, expressing the Vietnamese tradition of “drinking water, remembering its source” and gratitude to previous generations who made significant contributions to the nation.

The procession, commemorative ceremony and death anniversary ceremony for Saint Tran are among the central rituals of the Côn Sơn–Kiếp Bạc Autumn Festival 2026. According to the program announced by the Organizing Committee, September 30 (the 20th day of the eighth lunar month) featured this series of ceremonies at the Kiep Bac Relic Site, following earlier activities including the announcement ritual, festival opening ceremony, commemoration of the 726th death anniversary of Hưng Đạo Đại Vương, the seal-opening ceremony, the Hau Thanh ritual performance, the Prayer for Peace ceremony and the lantern festival on the Luc Dau River.

The Con Son–Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2026 takes place from September 26 to October 4 within the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Scenic Landscapes, a World Cultural Heritage site inscribed by UNESCO in 2025. This year’s festival continues to place traditional rituals at its center while expanding cultural, artistic, heritage-experience, tourism-promotion and trade-promotion activities, helping bring the historical, cultural and religious values of Côn Sơn–Kiếp Bạc closer to residents and visitors.

City leaders distribute blessed gifts to residents and visitors.

Hai Phong Party Committee Secretary Le Ngoc Chau distributes blessed gifts to residents and visitors after the death anniversary ceremony.

Maintaining traditional rituals within the World Heritage site not only meets the community’s religious and cultural needs but also contributes to preserving and passing down cultural values that have been formed and nurtured over generations. In this way, the outstanding values of Côn Sơn–Kiếp Bạc can continue to be promoted while heritage conservation is linked with community life and sustainable tourism development.