Dong Nhan Temple Festival – Hanoi

Dong Nhan Temple Festival is held annually from the 4th to the 6th day of the second lunar month in Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi. The main festival occurs on the 5th day when there is a ceremony for bathing the statues, opening the back palace, making sacrifices, and light dancing.

The temple was established in honour of Hai Ba Trung (Two Trung Sisters) who were proclaimed the heroines of Vietnam as they greatly contributed to the defeat of the Dong Han invaders and to the glorious pages of the history of the country.

A solemn procession of the statues from the temple to the Hong River is followed by many exciting activities at the completion of the bathing ceremony, including the altar-light dance. This dance is performed by 12 young beautiful girls in colourful dresses holding two lights in their hands. The festival is finished with an incense burning ceremony.