Traditional ploughing festival wishes for bumper harvests
The traditional Tich dien (ploughing) festival was held in Doi Son commune of Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam, on February 11 to pray for bumper harvests and prosperity for all.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (front, right) takes part in the ploughing ritual at the Tich dien festival on February 11 (Photo: VNA)
Ha Nam (VNA) – The traditional Tich dien (ploughing) festival was held inDoi Son commune of Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam, onFebruary 11 to pray for bumper harvests and prosperity for all.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh took partin the ploughing ritual at the event.
According to historical records, the first Tichdien ceremony of Vietnam was organised at the foot of Doi Mountain by King Le DaiHanh in the spring of 987. This ceremony has become a tradition practiced inevery spring since then.
The festival features the procession of thememorial tablet of King Le Dai Hanh from Long Doi Son Pagoda to the foot of DoiMountain, where it merges with the processions of the local tutelary god andthe founder of the Doi Tam drum making craft. The joint procession then movesto the paddy area believed to be the venue of the first Tich dien ceremony soas to carry out rituals praying to the Agricultural God for bumper harvests andprosperity.
Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Binhsaid the annual Tich dien festival in Ha Nam province – part of the nationalintangible cultural heritage – has become a highlight of the local culture.
He spoke highly of the restoration andorganisation of this festival, noting that this is a practical move to helppreserve and uphold cultural values, encourage agricultural and ruraldevelopment, and popularise Vietnam’s image.
He noted with satisfaction that Vietnameseagriculture has made great strides when its growth rate surpassed 3.7 percent in2018 – a seven-year record high, and the country has not only ensured its foodsecurity but also become one of the 15 leading agricultural exporters in theworld. Meanwhile, rural areas have gained a facelift with over 42 percent ofthe total communes and 61 district-level localities recognised as new-stylerural areas.
At the Tich dien festival, a number of culturaland sports activities were also held, including drum performances, buffalodecoration, traditional wrestling and tug of war.
On this occasion, the Ha Nam People’s Committeealso presented new-style rural area certificates to 13 communes in theprovince.-VNA
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Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (front, right) takes part in the ploughing ritual at the Tich dien festival on February 11 (Photo: VNA) 
