On the morning of March 3, at Thuong Temple, thousands of people and tourists attended the spring opening ceremony, opening a series of unique spiritual and cultural activities of the border city.
From early morning, the relic site grounds in Lao Cai ward were crowded with people coming to offer incense and worship. The festival atmosphere was bustling with elaborately staged art programs, gathering many singing, dancing, and skits recreating the history and culture of highland ethnic groups.
The outdoor stage continuously echoed with drums and gongs, creating a colorful spring picture at the forefront of the Fatherland.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Nhat - Chairman of Lao Cai Ward People's Committee - emphasized that the Thuong Temple Festival 2026 is a cultural and religious activity held annually on the full moon of the first lunar month, expressing the morality of "drinking water, remembering the source", expressing gratitude for the merits of Tran Quoc Tuan - a national hero who made great contributions to the cause of national defense.
According to Mr. Nhat, after many decades of maintenance, the festival not only carries the traditional activities of the province but also increasingly affirms its position as a typical cultural and spiritual tourism destination. Every spring, this place welcomes a large number of tourists from all directions, contributing to promoting the image of friendly and rich in identity Lao Cai.
This year's festival takes place in 3 days, from March 1st to 3rd (ie, from the 13th to the 15th of the first lunar month), with many rich rituals and activities such as palanquin processions, ceremonies, incense offerings, art performances, camps, folk sports competitions and displays of cultural products.
Not only is it a pilgrimage at the beginning of the year, the festival also creates a space for exchange, community connection, and spreading traditional values amidst modern life. In the warm spring weather, the stream of people flocking to the temple has shown the sustainable vitality of a long-standing festival in the northern border.
