The Minh Khanh Pagoda Festival in Thanh Ha town this year is more crowded than every year because it takes place right at the time the town is expanded when it merges with Thanh Khe commune.
Minh Khanh Pagoda in Thanh Ha town, in addition to worshiping Buddha, also worships Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong - the founder of Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. During the third resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders, King Tran Nhan Tong and his soldiers came to Binh Ha area (now Thanh Ha town). Seeing that this place had a difficult terrain of rivers and water, he decided to build a command base to fight the invaders.
After becoming a monk, Emperor Tran Nhan Tong returned to Huong Dai village and visited Minh Khanh pagoda. He left a wish that after his death, a portion of his ashes would be sent to the pagoda. His nine relics (bone ashes) are still preserved at Minh Khanh pagoda today.
In 1990, Minh Khanh Pagoda was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic.
Minh Khanh Pagoda still has many ancient relics such as 8 stone pedestals in front of the door (also known as altars), a system of Buddha statues, ancient towers, 16 steles and 13 royal decrees from the Le - Nguyen dynasties.
Minh Khanh Pagoda Festival takes place with many rituals and activities such as: royal edict procession, bathing ceremony, offering tray procession, offering ceremony, performing arts, singing Quan Ho folk songs on boats, chess competition, table tennis, judging trays of food, and closing ceremony.