(BNP) – On the morning of March 24 (the 6th day of the second lunar month, Year of the Horse), the opening ceremony of the 2026 Temple Festival honoring the Female Founder of Quan Ho folk songs (Diem Village Festival) was held in Viem Xa residential quarter, Kinh Bac Ward.
This event is part of a series of activities celebrating the UNESCO recognition ceremony for Dong Ho folk painting as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding; the announcement of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex as a World Cultural Heritage Site; and the festival “Coming back to the Heritage Region – 2026.”
Viem Xa residential quarter (commonly known as Diem Village) in Kinh Bac Ward is one of the 49 original Quan Ho villages of the ancient Kinh Bac region (now Bac Ninh). It is the only place that houses a temple dedicated to the Queen Mother (Vua Ba) of Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs. According to legend, Vua Ba was the daughter of a Hung King. During her travels, she stopped in the ancient land of Viem Trang, reclaimed land, established the village, taught the people agricultural practices, and especially created and passed down the lyrical and profound Quan Ho melodies. After her passing, the villagers built a temple in her honor and revered her as the village’s tutelary goddess.
Therefore, every year on the 6th day of the second lunar month, local people organize the traditional festival to commemorate her contributions, featuring many distinctive rituals that create a unique cultural space of the Quan Ho region. The festival also aims to preserve and promote the enchanting beauty of Quan Ho folk singing, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The 2026 Diem Village Festival is the first to be held after the implementation of the new two-tier local government system, and it also marks the 10th anniversary of its inclusion in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This year’s festival takes place from March 23 to 25, featuring a variety of ceremonial and festive activities such as: temple opening rituals, incense offerings, processions, reenactments of the Vua Ba legend, flag running and ball-seizing games, lion dances, and traditional drum performances.
A highlight of the festival is the grand procession involving hundreds of participants in traditional costumes, moving from the temple to the communal house, then around the village to collect sacred water from Cung Temple – Ngoc Well, which is brought back for worship at the Vua Ba Temple.
Visitors to the festival can explore unique cultural spaces at historical sites and immerse themselves in Quan Ho singing sessions performed by skilled artisans. These include traditional call-and-response singing, guest performances, and especially ceremonial singing in the distinctive “La Rang” style, unique to Diem Village - the cradle of Bac Ninh Quan Ho melodies. Visitors can also enjoy Quan Ho performances at various locations such as Quan Ho houses, dragon boats, stages, and festival huts, representing the traditional styles of all 49 Quan Ho villages.
In addition, visitors can participate in various cultural, sports, and folk activities such as ball-seizing games, swinging contests, wrestling, chess competitions, badminton, table tennis, and many other traditional games.
The annual Temple Festival honoring the Queen Mother of Quan Ho not only pays tribute to ancestors and prays for favorable weather, good harvests, and prosperity, but also fosters pride in cultural traditions and raises community awareness of preserving and promoting the unique values of Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs. It is also an opportunity to promote and sustain this cultural heritage, ensuring that Quan Ho continues to thrive and spread widely.
