Reviving historical and spiritual values
The night tour “The Bell of Tran Vu” was officially launched on the evening of May 28. Developed by the Management Board of the Quan Thanh Temple National Special Relic Site in collaboration with researchers and travel agencies, the tour aims to preserve and promote the cultural and spiritual values of the site while contributing to the development of tourism and the economy in Ba Dinh District.
As a new spiritual tourism product, the tour is held at Quan Thanh Temple – one of the sacred “Four Guardians of Thang Long” – and has attracted considerable attention from visitors.
Inspired by the traditional festival commemorating the divine descent and blessings of Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the night tour goes beyond a mere evening visit to a historical site. It offers an immersive cultural and artistic experience, helping to bring alive the historical and spiritual legacy of this land of millennia-old civilisation.
During a 45-minute theatrical performance, visitors are introduced to traditional folk festivals and intangible cultural values through vivid live-action scenes, re-enacting ancient processions, ceremonial offerings, and dramatic renditions extolling the virtues and achievements of the revered Saint.
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| A scene from the performance recounting the story of Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu. |
After the performance, visitors can explore and decode the mysteries of the temple, such as the pair of bronze reincarnation lamps and the ancient bronze bell known as Tran Vu Quan Khanh. The tour also introduces the traditional Truc Bach silk weaving craft, the lives of court ladies during the Trinh Lords era, and the famous Ngu Xa bronze casting village associated with the national treasure – the bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu.
Beyond the tour’s captivating activities, visitors can also experience cultural spaces dedicated to tea ceremony, calligraphy, and traditional costumes, as well as browse for souvenirs related to Quan Thanh Temple.
Tour director Ninh Quang Truong shared that the highlight of this unique tour lies in the historical narratives drawn from Ba Dinh District and the Quan Thanh Temple. Many of these stories, rich in cultural value and dating back hundreds of years, have been sourced from historical records and brought to life for audiences.
Director Ninh Quang Truong expressed confidence that, once operational, this new tourism product would receive strong interest, particularly from young people.
According to him, today’s younger generation is eager for novel experiences that are culturally rich and historically meaningful, but such experiences must also be fun and engaging.
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| Re-enactment of traditional rituals at the temple. |
Adding to Ha Noi’s Range of Night Tourism Products
Nguyen Tien Dat, Vice President of the Ha Noi Tourism Association and representative of AZA Travel, highlighted that Quan Thanh Temple is a long-standing and well-known historical site in Ha Noi. Launching a night tour here holds significant cultural and historical meaning, while also diversifying the capital’s portfolio of night-time tourism offerings.
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| Outdoor scenes staged in the temple courtyard. |
Dat also pointed out that the night tour offers several interactive activities, such as painting exhibitions, tea tasting, and trying on traditional costumes. The centrepiece is the “The Bell of Tran Vu” show – a captivating performance that vividly conveys the cultural and historical values of the temple. Given the prime location and compelling content, Dat believes this product will attract large numbers of both domestic and international tourists.
“The Bell of Tran Vu” is a new tourism product, piloted for the first time at the Quan Thanh Temple National Special Relic Site.
Each 90-minute programme will be held weekly, with a planned audience of around 100 participants per session.
After its preview on May 28 and 29, the tour is expected to officially begin serving visitors in August 2025.
