Ky Yen Festival at Thoai Ngoc Hau Communal House in An Giang
The Thoai Ngoc Hau communal house is located at Sam Mountain, Nui Sam ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province. It is one of the most important historical and cultural relics in the Mekong Delta region. The communal house not only worships the mandarin Thoai Ngoc Hau and his two wives but also serves as the center for the traditional Ky Yen festival.
Thoai Ngoc Hau and the Southern Land Reclamation
Thoai Ngoc Hau, born Nguyen Van Thoai (1761-1829), was a native of Quang Nam province. He was an outstanding military commander under the Nguyen dynasty who made significant contributions to protecting and developing the southwestern frontier region.
In 1817, King Gia Long appointed him as the governor of Vinh Thanh citadel (present-day Chau Doc). In 1818, he directed the excavation of the Vinh Te Canal connecting Chau Doc to Ha Tien, a crucial irrigation and military project that facilitated land reclamation and border security. The canal, over 90 kilometers long, was dug mainly by manual labor under extremely harsh conditions.
He also had the Thoai Ha Canal dug to promote trade. For these achievements, the king bestowed upon him the name Thoai Ngoc Hau. He also built many religious structures around Sam Mountain, including the communal house in 1826.
Architectural and Worship Space
The communal house retains its ancient architectural features typical of Southern Vietnamese village communal houses. The main hall houses the spirit tablet of Thoai Ngoc Hau in the center, with tablets of Lady Chau Thi Te on the left and Lady Truong Thi Mien on the right. This arrangement reflects the humane cultural value of honoring women who accompanied him in pioneering the new land.
The site preserves many precious artifacts, including royal decrees from Nguyen dynasty kings and valuable decorative objects.
Ky Yen Festival: Rituals and Process
The Ky Yen festival is held annually from the 14th to 16th of the fourth lunar month, with the main ceremony on the 15th.
Day 1 (14th): The ceremony committee performs the ritual of inviting the spirit tablets to the ceremonial area. In the afternoon, the Tuc Yet ceremony takes place with incense and wine offerings. In the evening, traditional music performances entertain the community.
Day 2 (15th): This is the most important day. A procession carrying royal decrees goes around neighboring areas with flags, parasols, and palanquins. After returning, the main ceremony is conducted with various steps including invoking the deity, offering wine, and reading prayers for national peace and prosperity.
Day 3 (16th): The Hoi Sac ceremony escorts the deity back to the inner sanctum, followed by prayers for community well-being and offerings to wandering souls, reflecting the compassionate spirit of Southern people.
Cultural Significance and Preservation
The festival serves multiple purposes: expressing gratitude to the pioneer, transmitting intangible cultural values such as traditional rituals and folk arts to younger generations, and strengthening community bonds, especially important in this border region.
The communal house was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1998. The festival is maintained annually, attracting many visitors. Preservation efforts focus on maintaining the authenticity of traditional rituals while developing spiritual tourism around Sam Mountain. Educating youth about the historical significance of the festival and Thoai Ngoc Hau's contributions remains an important task for sustaining this precious cultural heritage.
