Ba Vi district on the outskirts of Hanoi, received a certificate for the local Tan Vien Festival’s new status from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at a ceremony on February 25 or the 10th day of the lunar year’s first month, which is part of the festival. The festival was organized at a complex of Ha (Low), Trung (Middle) and Thuong (Upper) temples in Ba Vi from February 23-25. The annual event featured traditional rituals, an incense offering ceremony, folk games, sports and musical performances, attracting thousands of visitors. It also kicked off the year for Ba Vi Tourism under the theme of "Cultural Rendezvous." According to the legend in the Northern delta, Tan Vien, also called Son Tinh, was the God of the Mountain and governed all creatures on land. He taught people to grow crops, hunt animals, catch fish, practice martial arts and hold festivals. Opposite to Son Tinh was Thuy Tinh, the God of the Water, responsible for the rising water levels that damaged … [Read more...] about Mountain God Festival becomes national heritage