Friday, 16/10/2026

Friday, 16/10/2026

Phu Day torch procession: sacred flame at the heart of living heritage

Wednesday, 05:06, 22/04/2026

VOV.VN - Each year in the third lunar month, Vu Ban in Ninh Binh becomes especially vibrant with festival drums and vivid colours. The torch procession on the night of the fifth day is the climactic moment, forming a symbol of faith.

Festival drum performance

By day, Phu Day is solemn and ancient; by night, the torch procession turns it into a sea of fire. The flame, taken from the inner sanctuary of Phu Tien Huong, is believed to carry the light of the Mother Goddess.

The main torch’s flame is passed to thousands of torches held by locals and visitors, creating streams of light along the streets.

Joining the torch procession is not just attending the festival, but bringing home the Mother Goddess’s blessing of light.

Torchlight dispels darkness, drives away misfortune and kindles hopes for a year of favourable weather and peace and prosperity.

The procession, led by dragon and lion dances and bát âm (traditional eight-instrument ensemble) music, is followed by tens of thousands carrying blazing torches through temples across the complex.

Phu Tien Huong shines brightly at night.

A winding line of people carrying torches glows through the night, like a fire dragon moving across the heritage site.

From the main flame, thousands of torches held by villagers and visitors are lit, turning the whole countryside into a giant fire dragon.

Festival drums resound as flickering torchlight fills the air, creating a deeply immersive spiritual atmosphere.

Leading are lion and dragon dance troupes, followed by village elders and ritual teams, and finally a stream of torchbearers moving along amid cheers and the lively sound of drums and gongs.

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