From April 17 - 19, 2026 (ie March 1 - 3 of the lunar calendar), at the World Heritage Site Thanh Mai Pagoda, Nguyen Trai Ward, Hai Phong City, the Con Son - Kiep Bac Relic Management Board organizes the Thanh Mai Pagoda Festival 2026, to celebrate the 696th anniversary of the death of Phap Loa (1330 - 2026).
The festival takes place in 3 days with many traditional rituals and rich cultural and tourism activities. On April 17 (ie March 1st of the lunar calendar), there are main rituals such as the Buddha worshiping ceremony, the Tổ worshiping ceremony to ask for permission to open the festival, the bộ procession ceremony, the memorial ceremony for the 696th anniversary of the death of the Second Patriarch Truc Lam Phap Loa, and the traditional opening ceremony.
On the same day, the organizers opened a thematic exhibition "Thanh Mai World Heritage - Outstanding Global Values", introduced the "Discovering Thanh Mai World Heritage" tour and organized experiential activities such as calligraphy, woodblock printing, baking, honey roasting.
On April 18th (ie March 2nd of the lunar calendar), the opening ceremony of the "Conquering Tam Ban peak" mountain climbing tournament will take place, announcing the decision to establish the Sen Kiep Bac Club, along with folk games such as tug-of-war and sack dancing. Exhibition activities, tour introductions and experiences continue to be maintained to serve tourists.
April 19th (ie March 3rd of the lunar calendar) is the main festival day with the death anniversary of the Second Patriarch Truc Lam Phap Loa Ton Gia and the Mong Son thí thực ceremony, and at the same time continues display, experience and tourism introduction activities.
Thanh Mai Pagoda Festival is organized to commemorate and show gratitude to the merits of predecessors, especially the Third Patriarch Truc Lam Phap Loa - who played an important role in inheriting and developing the Truc Lam Zen sect. Thereby contributing to raising the awareness of all levels, sectors and people in preserving and promoting the value of national cultural heritage.
