Photo reportage
Tich Dien Festival
An elderly man dressed as King Le Dai Hanh ploughs the field to start the festival.

An elderly man dressed as King Le Dai Hanh ploughs the field to start the festival.

Dragon dance performance to open Doi Son Tich Dien Festival 2012.

Dragon dance performance to open Doi Son Tich Dien Festival 2012.

Elderly people sing and dance to pray for good harvests.

Elderly people sing and dance to pray for good harvests.

The women’s drum band of Doi Tam Village participates in the festival.

The women’s drum band of Doi Tam Village participates in the festival.

The elders of Doi Son Village attend the Tich Dien festival.

The elders of Doi Son Village attend the Tich Dien festival.

State President Truong Tan Sang ploughs the field to encourage the farmers.

State President Truong Tan Sang ploughs the field to encourage the farmers.

Young girls follow behind to sow seeds in the furrows.

Young girls follow behind to sow seeds in the furrows.

Many farmers plough the field at the festival.

Many farmers plough the field at the festival.

Plough machines also work in the field to encourage the movement of new rural areas.

Plough machines also work in the field to encourage the movement of new rural areas.

The Tich dien festival attracts the special attention of correspondents from all parts of the country.

The Tich dien festival attracts the special attention of correspondents from all parts of the country.

  • An elderly man dressed as King Le Dai Hanh ploughs the field to start the festival.
  • Dragon dance performance to open Doi Son Tich Dien Festival 2012.
  • Elderly people sing and dance to pray for good harvests.
  • The women’s drum band of Doi Tam Village participates in the festival.
  • The elders of Doi Son Village attend the Tich Dien festival.
  • State President Truong Tan Sang ploughs the field to encourage the farmers.
  • Young girls follow behind to sow seeds in the furrows.
  • Many farmers plough the field at the festival.
  • Plough machines also work in the field to encourage the movement of new rural areas.
  • The Tich dien festival attracts the special attention of correspondents from all parts of the country.

On January 29, 2012 (the 7th of January of the lunar year in the Year of the Dragon), the Tich dien (going to the field to plough) festival was held at a field in Doi Son, Doi Tam Commune, Duy Tien District, Ha Nam Province.
The Tich dien festival was held for the first time in spring in the year 987 (the 7thThien Phuc Year) during the dynasty of King Le Dai Hanh. It was a custom of a country with a tradition of farming like Vietnam, with the aim of praying for good weather and bumper harvests. Since then, the festival has become a traditional event honoured by all dynasties and is organized at the beginning of the year to remind people of the role and significance of agriculture.
After a period of having no festivals, in 2009 the festival was restored and is organized annually by the residents of Ha Nam Province. The festival not only has historical significance but also educates people from all walks of life, especially young people to show gratitude to their ancestors and develop agricultural production.
During this year’s festival, State President Truong Tan Sang attended and ploughed three furrows to encourage the farmers to work hard to develop agriculture.
 
By Tran Thanh Giang