Tien Luc commune, Lang Giang district in northern province of Bac Giang is home to the unique 1,000-year old camphor tree (Da huong) in the world. Tien Luc festival takes place in late spring when the camphor tree is in full blossom. This year, the festival was held at district-level scale in line with the announcement of the Decision of the provincial People’s Committee recognizing the relic cluster of 1,000 year-old camphor tree, communal house, temple and pagoda of Tien Luc commune as a “tourist site”. 

A unique relic cluster

The 11-km road from Voi town to Tien Luc commune improved beautifully and widely, paved with asphalt led us to the camphor tree. Chairman of the communal people’s committee expressed his happiness to share about the heritage camphor tree attached to Lien Luc festival. The tree was ranked national heritage and recognized by UNESCO as the world natural heritage, which is a spectacular symbol of the nature, cultural landscape and soul of Tien Luc commune. It has attracted numerous visitors thanks to its impressive beauty and uniqueness.

Tien Luc Festival 

Tien Luc relic cluster has been recognized the national architectural and artistic relic since 1989 including the camphor tree, Vien Son communal house, Phuc Quang pagoda, Thanh Ca (or Tien Luc) temple and Thuan Hoa communal house. These relics cover an area of about 1 square kilometer with poetic surrounding, spacious hilly and mountainous landscape, which features the countryside in the northern midland. In order to promote the values of this heritage tree in line with the relic cluster of architecture and art of the communal house, temple and pagoda, this year, the festival was held at district-level scale in line with the announcement of the Decision of the provincial People’s Committee recognizing the relic cluster of 1,000 year-old camphor tree, communal house, temple and pagoda of Tien Luc commune as a “tourist site”. 

Coming to Tien Luc festival, visitors can admire the magnificence of the ancient camphor tree of up to 36 meters height, large canopy, and its trunk equivalent to a circle made by nearly ten people. The tree leaf is green all year round with flower scent spreading the whole area. As seeing the little bunches of light yellow flowers with sweet fragrance, feel the soul of the ancient tree, listen to the stories about this heritage tree and discover the unique spiritual culture, tourists will find a unique tourism product of this countryside.

Vien Son communal house is located on a low hill near the ancient Camphor Tree. The communal house was built in the 18^th century (in Le dynasty) which worships 2 gods of the village named Cao Son and Quy Minh who devoted in the fights against invaders to keep peace of the nation. The communal house is not very big but it has special lucubrated carving art. Phuc Quang pagoda is situated on the top of the pine hill which was built in the 18^th century. The pagoda has total 35 compartments built under the architectural style that all open into one another on the inside. Many old precious statues are preserved in this pagoda.

Thanh Ca temple (or Tien Luc temple) is also situated on the pine hill, about 30m away from Phuc Quang pagoda, worshipping the gods Cao Son and Quy Minh who were ordinated by King Le Canh Hung. Another must-visit destination is Thuan Hoa temple built in the 18^th century, which is about over 1,000m from the pine hill and close to a big almond tree. Currently, several precious offerings with historical values are preserved in this temple.

Since 2016, the communal house, temple and pagoda here have been invested with 34 billion VND from the state budget and 2.7 billion VND contributed from the community to improve and embellish them. The traffic to this relic cluster is very convenient with separated parking lot. The stadium of the commune has been also improved.

The festival enlisted as national intangible heritage

Tien Luc festival has long existed as the last spring festival of the district. According to Nguyen Huy Luy, Director of the Center of Culture, Information and Sports of Lang Giang district, the festival takes place annually on the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th of the Lunar March. This year, the festival took place on the occasion of the Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1), thus it lured a large number of visitors. Besides, this is the first year Tien Luc festival was organized at district level when some sports within the district sports festival were held at this event.

In order for a successful Tien :Luc festival luring a large number of visitors, the People’s Committee of Lang Giang district paid high attention to prevention against Covid-19 pandemic, ensure environment and landscape protection, traffic safety and food safety during the festival. Besides, the district strengthened propaganda to introduce the traditional cultural values and uniqueness of the festival while preserving and promoting the local cultural values. The district made a dossier to request for recognition of Tien Luc festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The 1000-year old Camphor tree

As planned, the festival is organized for 3 days, including evenings (April 29 and 30 and May 1) at the locations belonging to the relic complex. The rituals will include water procession, palanquin procession, dragon and lion dancing, incense offering and god worshipping, among others. Festive activities will feature traditional folk games such as cuop cau (competing for a ball), bit mat bat de (blind man’s bluff), and bat vit (duck catching), Chinese chess, human chess. Besides, 3 sports events within the district Sports Festival were also competed at Tien Luc festival (stick pushing, tug of war and volley ball) with participation of 21 communes and town.