Saint Nguyen Temple Festival underway in Ninh Binh

The 2024 Saint Nguyen Temple Festival is taking place at Saint Nguyen Temple in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, with various activities to commemorate Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong (1073-1141).
An art performance at the opening ceremony of the festival
An art performance at the opening ceremony of the festival

According to legend, Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong was the head monk of the Ly dynasty in Vietnamese history. He was the first person to apply treatment methods with Vietnamese herbs and acupuncture.

He is also honoured as the ancestor of bronze casting and is worshiped in long-standing bronze casting villages in Nam Dinh, Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen, and Bac Ninh.

He passed away in August 1141, being venerated as Saint Nguyen.

The Saint Nguyen Temple Festival is observed annually from the eighth to the tenth days of the third lunar month.

The festival features an incense offering and rituals to pay tribute to Saint Nguyen.

This year’s festival also includes art performances, folk games, sporting events, a cuisine corner, and a fair displaying agricultural and tourist products of Gia Vien District.

NDO