TL;DR: The Do Temple Festival commemorates the merits of 8 Ly Dynasty kings, held annually on the 15th day of the third lunar month in Từ Sơn ward, Bắc Ninh. The festival recreates the palanquin procession and the reading of the Edict on Moving the Capital, along with many unique cultural activities and folk games.
What is Do Temple and its festival?
Do Temple, also known as Lý Bát Đế Temple or Cổ Pháp Điện, is an important historical relic complex located in Thuong quarter, Từ Sơn ward, Bắc Ninh province. Built in the 11th century, the temple worships 8 Ly Dynasty kings: Lý Thái Tổ, Lý Thái Tông, Lý Thánh Tông, Lý Nhân Tông, Lý Thần Tông, Lý Anh Tông, Lý Cao Tông, and Lý Huệ Tông. In 2014, the mausoleum complex and temples of Ly Dynasty kings were recognized as Special National Relics by the Prime Minister, affirming the site's great historical and cultural value.
Every year, on the 15th day of the third lunar month, locals, pilgrims, and descendants of the Ly family gather for the Do Temple Festival. The festival commemorates the coronation of King Lý Thái Tổ (in 1010), honoring the Ly Dynasty kings who established the capital at Thăng Long, built a civilized foundation, and opened a brilliant and prosperous era in the nation's history.
Summary table of the kings of the Lý dynasty worshipped at Đền Đô and festival information.
| King | Other name | Main contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Lý Thái Tổ | Lý Công Uẩn | Founded the dynasty, moved the capital to Thăng Long |
| Lý Thái Tông | Lý Phật Mã | Consolidated the country, expanded the territory to the South |
| Lý Thánh Tông | Lý Nhật Tôn | Changed the national name to Đại Việt |
| Lý Nhân Tông | Lý Càn Đức | Reigned the longest, opened the first imperial examination, built the Temple of Literature and Quốc Tử Giám |
| Lý Thần Tông | ||
| Lý Anh Tông | ||
| Lý Cao Tông | ||
| Lý Huệ Tông |
What is the origin and historical significance of the Do Temple Festival?
How did the Ly Dynasty establish the capital at Thăng Long?
The Ly Dynasty was founded in 1009 when Lý Công Uẩn ascended the throne, adopting the reign title Thuận Thiên. One of his most important decisions was moving the capital from Hoa Lư (Ninh Bình) to Đại La, later renamed Thăng Long (now Hanoi). This event is recorded in the Edict on Moving the Capital, a famous historical document showing strategic vision and the desire to build a sustainable and prosperous capital for generations.
What did the Ly Dynasty kings contribute?
The Ly Dynasty lasted over 200 years with 8 kings, each contributing to national development. Lý Thái Tổ (Lý Công Uẩn) founded the dynasty, laying the foundation for a strong centralized government. Lý Thái Tông (Lý Phật Mã) continued to consolidate the country and expand territory southward. Lý Thánh Tông (Lý Nhật Tôn) is known for changing the national name to Đại Việt, reflecting strong national consciousness. Lý Nhân Tông (Lý Càn Đức) reigned the longest, during which culture and education flourished with the first imperial examination and the construction of Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám.
Later kings, such as Lý Thần Tông, Lý Anh Tông, Lý Cao Tông, and Lý Huệ Tông, also made certain contributions, although the dynasty gradually weakened in its final period. The Do Temple Festival is an occasion for people to remember and honor the collective merits of these kings.
When and where is the Do Temple Festival held?
The Do Temple Festival is held over 3 days, from the 14th to the 16th of the third lunar month annually, with the main day on the 15th. The main venue is the special national relic site of Do Temple in Từ Sơn ward, Bắc Ninh province. In recent years, the festival often coincides with the major holiday period (April 30 - May 1), thus attracting many visitors from everywhere.
For example, the 2026 festival runs from April 30 to May 2 in the solar calendar, i.e., from the 14th to 16th of the third lunar month in the year of Bính Ngọ. This marks the 1016th anniversary of King Lý Thái Tổ's coronation (1010 - 2026). The scale has been expanded with a fair and pedestrian streets outside the relic, in the ward center, offering rich entertainment and experiences.
What rituals and activities happen at the Do Temple Festival?
Ritual part: Solemn and sacred ceremonies
The ritual part includes many important ceremonies steeped in tradition and spirituality. A highlight is the palanquin procession of the Holy Mother and kings' palanquins from Ứng Tâm Pagoda to Do Temple. The procession involves many locals, visitors, and representatives of the Ly clan from Korea and twinned localities, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.
An indispensable ritual is the reenactment of King Lý Thái Tổ's Edict on Moving the Capital. This ceremony recreates the historic event when Lý Công Uẩn decided to move the capital from Hoa Lư to Thăng Long, evoking national pride and educating younger generations about patriotism. The ceremony takes place in the temple's solemn space, attended by delegates, provincial and ward leaders, and many people.
Festival part: Lively and rich in identity
After the solemn rituals, the festival becomes lively with cultural activities and folk games. Visitors can enjoy Quan Ho folk singing on dragon boats at the crescent lake, a typical art form of the Kinh Bắc region. Water puppet performances of Đồng Ngư also attract large audiences.
Folk games such as clay-pot rice cooking contests, banh phu the wrapping contests, chess matches, to tom diem, and traditional wrestling are held widely, creating a joyful atmosphere. These activities are not only entertaining but also help preserve and promote traditional cultural values.
What side activities and tourism experiences are there?
Within the festival, many side activities offer richer experiences. Pedestrian streets around Lý Thái Tổ Park open, along with an OCOP product fair and a culinary tourism festival. Visitors can explore exhibitions of antiques at the Nam Hồng Royal Museum or the opening of a ornamental creature exhibition.
Another interesting experience is the Hanoi 5-city-gate train, taking visitors from the capital to Bắc Ninh, crossing the over-100-year-old Long Biên Bridge over the Red River and a railway bridge over the Duong River. This journey helps visitors immerse in the festival atmosphere and enjoy historic architectural structures.
What are the cultural and spiritual values of the Do Temple Festival?
The Do Temple Festival is not only a time to remember the Ly kings' merits but also a symbol of the tradition of "remembering the source when drinking water," a long-standing cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people. The festival fosters national pride and educates youth about the nation's glorious history.
For locals and visitors, participating also expresses reverence and prayers for peace and luck for themselves and families. The temple's sacred space and solemn rituals create a profound spiritual experience, connecting people with their roots.
How is the Do Temple relic organized and preserved?
The festival is organized with increasing professionalism. The organizing committee sets up subcommittees with specific tasks, focusing on security, traffic safety, fire prevention, food safety, and environmental hygiene. Propaganda encourages civilized lifestyles, cleanliness, and protection of the relic landscape.
Restoration and embellishment of Do Temple are also prioritized. In 2026, Từ Sơn ward completed phase 1 of restoration with a total investment of over 73 billion VND, covering 16 items such as the communal house, pre-ritual house, relay house, rear palace, stele house, mother worship house, votive burning hut, side gates, palanquin and horse house, and technical infrastructure. Designs respect the original elements, making Do Temple more spacious and majestic while retaining its ancient and sacred character.
