The 2026 Do Temple Festival officially opened at the Special National Relic Site of Do Temple in Tu Son Ward, Bac Ninh Province, on May 1 (the 15th day of the third lunar month of the Year of the Horse), marking the 1,016th anniversary of the coronation of Ly Thai To (1010–2026).
The festival is an occasion to honour the great contributions of the Ly Kings, the dynasty established the capital in Thang Long, created a civilisation, and ushered in a glorious and prosperous period in the nation's history.
From the early morning, streams of visitors pour into the festival, immersing themselves in a heritage space with more than a thousand years of history. This year, the festival runs from April 30 to May 2 (the 14th–16th days of the third lunar month), coinciding with the public holiday period, thus drawing large numbers of visitors. The festival was also participated by representatives of the Ly clan lineage in the Republic of Korea and twined localities with historical ties to the dynasty.
A highlight of the festival is the solemn procession carrying palanquins of the Holy Mother and the Kings from Ung Tam Pagoda to Do Temple, and the ceremony of proclaiming the Edict on Relocating the Capital by King Ly Thai To, recreating a momentous historical event and evoking national pride
Nguyen Thom, a visitor from Ha Noi, shared that joining the festival by the “Ha Noi five-gate train” was a memorable experience, especially the journey across the century-old Long Bien Bridge over the Red River and the railway bridge spanning the Duong River before entering the lively festival atmosphere. She said she felt deeply moved and was proud to offer incense in remembrance of the Ly Kings, who chose and named the capital Thang Long.
Following the solemn ceremonial rites, festive activities take place with a variety of traditional cultural performances enthusiastically received by visitors, including Quan Ho singing on dragon boats at the semicircular lake, Dong Ngu water puppetry, rice cooking contests in clay pot, Phu The cake wrapping competitions, and traditional folk games.
Within the framework of the festival, various activities are also held, such as a pedestrian street around Ly Thai To Park, an OCOP product exhibition fair and tourism culinary festival, an antique exhibition at Nam Hong Royal Museum, and an ornamental creature exhibition.
On April 29, Tu Son Ward inaugurated phase 1 of the restoration and upgradation project for the Special National Relic Site of Do Temple. Launched in August 2025 with a total investment of more than 73 billion VND, the project includes 16 components.
Do Temple was built in the 11th century to worship eight Ly Kings and is located in Thuong Street, Tu Son Ward, Bac Ninh Province. In 2014, the tomb and temple complex dedicated to the Ly Kings was recognised by the Prime Minister as a Special National Relic Site.
