Travelling to Quan Lan (Van Don district, Quang Ninh provine), tourists not only have chances to enjoy the beautiful beach with majestic woods of Casuarinas but also are fascinated by the ancient beauty of Quan Lan village where there are many ancient communal houses and temple, court ministry clerk worshiping to adore the ancestors having contribution in the village establishment.
The village communal house was built in Hau Le empire (about XVII century) with the mast made by Man Lai wood which was harder than ironwood, bigger than the joining hug of two to three persons. On every buc con (bức cốn), lever, dau du (đầu dư), cau dau(câu đầu), sagged down gate…, there are images of dragon, male phoenix, flower, leaves that are sophisticatedly carved in different status. The communal house includes five rooms, two lean-tos, three ong muong (ống muống) compartments and one shrine lean-tos.
Different from other village communal houses, Quan Lan village communal house worships to adore King instead of Deity. The communal house worshiping to adore Ly Anh Tong king who establish Van Don trading port, a big foreign trading port on the coast of Mang river (now it’s Quan Lan area) 800 years ago (1149).
Every year, Quan Lan villagers held a festival in June 18th (lunar calendar) to memorize the victory against Nguyen Mong army and chiến công of Tran Khanh Du. The festival’s location is Quan Lan communal house. Regatta is the most featured activity which is also the main one of the festival.
The villagers have divided themselves in two team which are Dong Nam Van and Doai Bac Vo to practice since June 13rd. In 16th, they implement the deity picking ceremony: present the offering to take the ancestral tablet of Tran Khanh Du from the court ministry clerk to the communal house. In June 18th afternoon, all boats gather and do the performance symbolizing the three-time victory against Nguyen army then they sacrifice in the temple. After ceremony, the regatta starts.
The festival of Quan Lan village is a traditional festival which demonstrates the virtual art spirit of Vietnamese against the outside enemy to protect the sovereignty of country.
Tags: 