Cao temple ranked as national relic

Leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Hai Duong province, and Chi Linh provincial town offer incense at Cao temple

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien appreciated the efforts of Hai Duong provincial Party, authorities, and citizens in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

She suggested that the provincial authorities soon work out a plan to preserve Cao temple relic complex as a basis for long-term protection and promotion of relics' value; intensify propaganda of the historical value of the relic complex; attach special importance to renovating the items that have been deteriorating; maintain rituals at relic sites to turn heritage into cultural assets of the nation; efficiently exploit the potential of the relics; etc.

A drumming performance opens the ceremony

Located in An Lac commune (Chi Linh), Cao temple is a historical relic associated with majestic feats of arms of five generals of the Vuong family who helped King Le Dai Hanh beat Song invaders in the 10th century.

Cao temple relic complex was built on an area of nearly 1 km2. Despite many times of restoration, the traditional architecture of the relics is still retained, forming a harmonious complex with great historical, cultural, and artistic value.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien awards a national relic certificate for Cao temple relic complex to the province

On March 2, 2018, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism signed a decision ranking Cao, Ca, Ben Ca, and Ben Trang temples in Cao temple relic complex as historical relics and artistic structures.

The 2018 Cao temple traditional festival took place from March 9 to 11 (the 22nd - 24th day of the 1st lunar month).

After the ceremony, delegates and citizens take part in a procession ceremony from Cao temple to Lac Dao communal house

There were many special traditional ceremonies, such as proclamation,  deity statue cleaning, spring beginning offering, palanquin procession, etc., and festive activities like day and che kho cake making contests, musical and water puppetry performances, and traditional wrestling at the festival.

* On March 11, the Organizing Board of the Cao Temple Festival held the Traditional Wrestling Tournament 2018.

The tournament lured dozens of wrestlers from communes and wards of Chi Linh and the districts of Kinh Mon, Nam Sach, and Tu Ky.

The Traditional Wrestling Tournament of the Cao Temple Festival takes place attractively

The organizers also encouraged locals and visitors to register for participation.

Finally, wrestler Tran Van Dung (Nhan Hue commune, Chi Linh) won first prize. Tourist Phan Van Thin (Nam Dinh) was placed first in the event for visitors.

TIEN MANH