The festival commemorating the 905th anniversary of Saint Hoang Phuc Trung’s passing took place on November 12 at Vinh Phuc Communal House (Lieu Giai Ward, Ba Dinh District).

The ritual ceremony commemorates Saint Hoang Phuc Trung's passing. Photo: Viet An/The Hanoi Times

The festival honors and expresses gratitude to Nguyen Quy Cong (also known as Hoang Phuc Trung or Hoang Le Mat), a figure from Le Mat Village (Viet Hung Ward, Long Bien District).

He was known for his loyalty to the nation, selflessness, and compassion for the people. The saint has remained a shining example, revered through royal decrees from the Ly, Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties.

Saint Hoang Phuc Trung is credited for developing the fertile agricultural hub in the western region of Thang Long Citadel, known as Thap Tam Trai (the Thirteen Villages). This area historically included locations such as Thu Le, Van Phuc, Thuy Khue, Hao Nam, Kim Ma Thuong, Kim Ma, Ngoc Khanh, Lieu Giai, Cong Vi, Cong Yen, Vinh Phuc, Xuan Bieu, Ngoc Ha, Huu Tiep, Dai Yen, and Giang Vo, which are now part of Ba Dinh District.

The Thap Tam Trai served both as a strategic military zone protecting the ancient Thang Long and as a thriving agricultural and artisanal center supplying essential goods to the capital.

For instance, Ngoc Ha Village was known for silk weaving and flower cultivation, Huu Tiep Village specialized in carpentry and flowers, Hao Nam Village was popular for vegetable farming, and Dai Yen Village was widely known for traditional medicine.

The festival, held on the 11^th and 12^th day of the 10^th lunar month, featured solemn ceremonies such as the water procession, offering rituals, and incense dedication. A traditional art performance on the night of first ceremonial day, with the participation of people from Thap Tam Trai, added to the event’s success.

Concurrently, other communal houses dedicated to Saint Hoang Phuc Trung, including Vinh Phuc 2 (Vinh Phuc Ward), Cong Vi (Cong Vi Ward), Lieu Giai (Lieu Giai Ward), and Le Mat Temple (Viet Hung Ward, Long Bien District), also held their own commemorative ceremonies.

The district’s officials, Party members, and residents are committed to maintaining their achievements, and striving to meet the 2024 targets for Party building, economic, cultural, and national defense development, said Chairman of the Ba Dinh District People’s Committee, Ta Nam Chien.

“The district will continue to foster unity, stability, and peace, worthy of its role as the administrative and political center of the nation and as a heroic district of Hanoi,” he said.

With a spirit of dedication and responsibility, the district’s chairman called on all Party committees, authorities, and organizations to continue implementing patriotic emulation movements, achieve outstanding results, and fulfill their political missions. This, he said, would contribute to building a refined, civilized Hanoi and a dignified, compassionate Ba Dinh community.