Hung Yen: Temples, Festivals and History

The cultural highlights of Hưng Yên include historic temples and landmarks, recurring festivals, and regional dishes. If you are looking for hotels in Hung Yen, you can match these highlights to the purpose of your trip. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish the annual festival dates in the lunar calendar from activities associated with a spring visit or a religious sightseeing trip.

Cultural Sites and Historical Traces

The Phố Hiến special national heritage site comprises 16 significant monuments. Phố Hiến was once a famous trading port. Merchants from more than ten countries, including the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Portugal and China, traded there, bringing together diverse architectural and cultural influences.

At Văn Miếu Xích Đằng, there are nine stone steles: eight were erected in 1888 and one in 1943. Together, they record 161 successful candidates from the former province of Sơn Nam. Đền Mây dates back to the period from the Đinh dynasty to the early Lê dynasty, was restored during the Nguyễn dynasty, and is dedicated to Phạm Bạch Hổ, a distinguished Vietnamese military leader and national hero.

Đền Kim Đằng is dedicated to General Đinh Điền and his wife Phan Thị Môi Nương. Đền Trần, in turn, is dedicated to Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn, a Vietnamese national hero and prominent politician. The architecture also offers contrasting styles: Chùa Chuông is a historic structure with distinctive architecture and a collection of striking old statues. Chùa Phố stands on Trưng Trắc Street in Phố Hiến district; its Thiêu-hương hall is strongly influenced by Catholic church architecture and has a vaulted roof.

A more than 300-year-old longan tree stands on the grounds of Chùa Hiến. The longan variety has thick flesh and especially aromatic fruit; in the past, the fruit was presented to the emperor. Đền Mẫu is on Bãi Sậy Street in Quang Trung district. In front of the temple is Bán Nguyệt Lake, with the Red River dyke in the distance. The temple grounds are also home to a fused tree formed from Đa, Sanh and Si trees, estimated to be more than 700 years old. According to legend, the three trees together form a three-legged structure that arches over the temple.

Festivals According to the Lunar Calendar

The festival at Đền Mẫu takes place every year from the 10th to the 13th day of the third lunar month; it includes, among other events, a water procession from the Red River. The Phố Hiến folk culture festival begins each year on the sixth day of the same lunar month. Its games include tug-of-war, flying kites or wind kites, and Đi cầu Kiều; traditional ceremonies are also reenacted on site. The dates offer two separate points of reference within the same lunar month. Since they are given according to the lunar calendar, check the specific festival dates against the calendar for the year of your trip.

During a spring visit and religious sightseeing at Văn Miếu Xích Đằng, visitors can ask older calligraphers to write calligraphy and experience the traditional art of Ca trù singing.

Regional Specialties

Culinary experiences in Phố Hiến include Hưng Yên longans, lotus tea, Bún thang with eel, and simple dishes made with river fish, river prawns, or field crabs. The dishes offered by individual vendors may vary by season and vendor. At the Phố Hiến folk culture festival, visitors can sample Hưng Yên specialties such as Bún thang and lotus tea with longans, and watch them being prepared.

Discover more destinations: Thôn Đào Viên.

Back to the main travel overview: Hưng Yên.