Igniting the resilient spirit from the legacy of the Trung Sisters
WVR - On February 22 (the 6th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse), at the special national relic site of the Trung Sisters Temple in Me Linh Commune, the 1,986th anniversary of the Trung Sisters' uprising and the opening of the 2026 Trung Sisters Temple Festival took place solemnly and reverently, attracting a large number of locals and visitors from various regions.
Latest
 |
| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and delegates from the Central Government and Hanoi City offer incense at the Trung Sisters Temple. (Source: VNA) |
Attending the ceremony were Central Party Secretary, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, along with representatives from central agencies and Hanoi City.
Speaking at the ceremony, Me Linh Commune Party Secretary Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized that the anniversary and festival are not only significant cultural and religious activities of the locality but also hold profound meaning in preserving and spreading the nation's valuable heritage; promoting the image of Me Linh – a land rich in revolutionary tradition, dynamic in development and integration.
According to local leaders, in recent years, the special national relic site of the Trung Sisters Temple has been carefully restored and renovated, with many components becoming increasingly grand and sustainable; the relic space has been expanded, the landscape beautified, and infrastructure synchronously invested. In the future, Me Linh Commune will continue to comprehensively complete the relic according to the approved plan, linking the preservation and promotion of cultural and historical values with sustainable tourism development.
Expressing deep gratitude for the immense contributions of the Trung Sisters, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Tuyen emphasized that nearly 2,000 years ago, under the harsh domination of the Northern feudalists, the Trung Sisters raised the flag of rebellion, rallying heroes from all directions to rise and gain independence for the nation. Although the uprising did not last long, it initiated a tradition of resilient and indomitable struggle, affirming the strength of patriotism, self-reliance, and the spirit of great national unity.
 |
| The ceremony of bringing the ancestral tablets into the Temple. (Source: VNA) |
According to Nguyen Thi Tuyen, the Trung Sisters' uprising is a brilliant symbol of patriotism and a vivid testament to the role, position, and strength of Vietnamese women in the history of nation-building and defense. The anniversary is an occasion to express reverence and gratitude to the Trung Sisters and predecessors; to educate on the tradition of patriotism, instill national pride, and awaken the aspiration to rise in every citizen.
On this occasion, the Vietnam Women's Union hopes that women in the capital, Me Linh, and across the country will continue to uphold the traditions of the Trung Sisters' homeland; promote innovation, actively participate in emulation movements, contributing to building Hanoi into an increasingly cultured, civilized, and modern city.
The 2026 Trung Sisters Temple Festival takes place over three days, from February 22 to 24 (the 6th to 8th day of the first lunar month), comprising two parts: the ceremonial and the festive. The ceremonial part is organized solemnly following traditional rites with activities such as incense offering, commemorative rallies on the day the Trung Sisters raised the flag of rebellion, and traditional rituals.
Highlighting the event is the procession of the Trung Sisters' palanquins along with related processions, recreating the image of the Sisters returning to their homeland, demonstrating the people's reverence for their ancestors. From the 4th day of the first lunar month, after the "presentation ceremony", two palanquins are carried from the temple to Ha Loi village communal house with a well-organized procession. The procession includes flag bearers, female guards, white elephants, pink horses, and white horses, creating a sacred space rich in cultural identity.
 |
| The ceremony of palanquin procession into the Trung Sisters Temple. (Source: VNA) |
The "palanquin exchange" ceremony – changing the position of the Sisters' palanquins at each procession stage – continues to be maintained, carrying profound meaning about sisterhood and family and national order in Vietnamese cultural tradition. During the procession, the palanquins perform the action of changing positions over the head, creating an undulating effect like a dragon winding through the flag-bearing formation, accompanied by the sound of drums, gongs, and vibrant traditional music. This is a unique feature of the Trung Sisters Temple Festival in Me Linh, contributing to the festival's allure in this land of extraordinary people.
Alongside the solemn ceremonial part is the lively festive part with cultural, artistic activities, and folk games, bringing a joyful and exciting atmosphere in the early days of spring. Through this, the image of the Trung Sisters – a symbol of patriotism, resilient spirit, and the role of Vietnamese women – continues to be honored and widely spread within the community.
 |
| Drum performance at the anniversary. (Source: VNA) |
To ensure the festival is conducted solemnly, safely, and traditionally, Me Linh Commune has proactively implemented comprehensive plans for security, traffic safety, environmental sanitation, and fire prevention; thoroughly reviewed the program script, rituals, and festival activities; organized meticulous rehearsals for the procession teams, preparing costumes and ceremonial items according to regulations.
The organization of the 1,986th anniversary of the Trung Sisters' uprising and the traditional festival in 2026 not only aims to commemorate the great contributions of the two national heroines but also contributes to preserving and promoting cultural heritage values; building a civilized lifestyle in festivals; linking preservation with sustainable cultural tourism development in the locality and Hanoi.
Tags:
