Tro Chieng - Discover the unique festival of Thanh Hoa Province

1. General Introduction to Tro Chien - Traditional Cultural Values of the Thanh Hoa Region

Tro Chien shines brightly in the treasure trove of Vietnamese folk culture as a special gem. The festival is mainly organized in Trinh Xa village, Yen Ninh commune, Thanh Hoa province, where procession rituals, worship ceremonies, and many performances reflecting the fighting spirit and labor of the Thanh Hoa region's residents converge. What makes Tro Chien unique is the intersection of spiritual elements, entertainment, tradition, and a modern touch.

What makes Tro Chien unique is the interplay between spiritual elements, entertainment, tradition, and a modern touch. (Source: Collected)

In 2017, Tro Chien was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This honor affirms the festival's special cultural characteristics and opens up many opportunities for preservation and promotion for future generations. Recently, Tro Chien is still organized on a large scale locally, preserving precious traditional values.

Tro Chien holds deep significance for the spiritual life of the people of Trinh Xa village. The festival is not only an occasion for entertainment but also a place to connect generations, preserve rural traditions, and nurture patriotism and community consciousness. Every season Tro Chien takes place, the whole village enthusiastically participates, contributing together to preserve the traditional spirit and cultural identity.

2. Historical Origin and Significance of Tro Chien

2.1. Tro Chien is associated with Tam Cong Trinh Quoc Bao and the Ly Dynasty

The origin of Tro Chien is linked to the general Tam Cong Trinh Quoc Bao under the Ly dynasty. He was not only talented in military affairs, leading the people to defend the borders, but also the initiator and teacher of Tro Chien for the local community. After completing his mission, he returned to his hometown and, with his descendants, maintained and developed the performances, laying the foundation for the traditional festival that has been passed down to this day.

The position of Tam Cong Trinh Quoc Bao in the Ly dynasty's culture is evident through the combination of strategic talent and cultural vision. He realized that community-connecting activities were essential to preserve unity and patriotism. Tro Chien became the crystallization of the wisdom and dedication of a general who was both resilient and culturally profound.

Through each ritual and performance in Tro Chien, people not only entertain themselves but also express gratitude to their ancestors and honor those who have contributed to the country. Each performance is a vivid history lesson, helping later generations better understand their homeland's traditions and their responsibility to the nation.

2.2. Historical, Educational Value, and National Pride

The Tro Chien festival contains educational lessons imbued with the spirit of love for learning and self-reliance. Performances such as "choosing a son-in-law" and "carp transforming into a dragon" clearly depict the tradition of valuing education, emphasizing the path of self-improvement through knowledge and Vietnamese resilience. The message about the important role of education is conveyed through these performances, which are both entertaining and highlight the value of knowledge in life.

The Tro Chieng festival contains educational lessons imbued with the spirit of studiousness and the will for self-reliance. (Source: Collected)

A special aspect of Tro Chieng is honoring the role of women and the spirit of protecting national sovereignty. The "choosing a groom" game demonstrates the active choice of happiness by women, affirming equal rights in traditional society. In many dialogues, phrases like "The land of Vietnam owes tribute to no one" express the spirit of independence, the will for self-determination, affirming national sovereignty against foreign invaders.

Tro Chieng is also an epic poem of national pride through each performance. The spirit of self-reliance and the will to rise up are conveyed in the games simulating the community's labor and combat life. Each performance carries positive values, encouraging people to live virtuously, to be cohesive and patriotic.

3. Unique Rituals and Games in Tro Chieng

3.1. Unique Organizational Structure: Thuong Soan and the "Cai"s

Tro Chieng is organized very systematically with a distinct structure. The leader is Thuong Soan, who commands the entire festival and coordinates many "Cai" groups. Each group is responsible for a performance such as Cai Cheo, Cai Voi, Cai Ngua, Cai Rong. The "Cai"s are responsible from preparing props and costumes to training performers, all according to strict traditional rules.

A highlight in the preparation of Tro Chieng is the rule ensuring the preservation of tradition. All items used are made from traditional materials such as bamboo, rattan, paper with characteristic colors, meticulously prepared using ancient methods. Especially, during the preparation days before the festival, the "Cai"s can enter any house in the village to borrow items for the performance, showing the community's cohesion and sharing spirit.

The clear division of labor helps the Tro Chieng festival ensure quality and creates opportunities for all village members to participate. Elders and children, everyone contributes effort for the festival's success, thereby fostering community cohesion.

3.2. Procession of the Village Guardian Deity - The Soul of the Tro Chieng Festival

The ritual of parading the tutelary deity is considered the soul of the Tro Chien festival. (Source: Collected)

The ritual of parading the tutelary deity is considered the soul of the Tro Chien festival, opening with a solemn and vibrant atmosphere. The procession includes teams of elephants, horses, dragons, Bat Am (eight-sound) ensembles, flags, and villagers, creating a lively scene full of color and music. The sound of drums and gongs spreads throughout the village, bringing a sense of excitement and pride.

The tutelary deity procession not only holds aesthetic value but also conveys spiritual beliefs. Each step of the procession is a hope for a year of peace, health, and prosperity. The villagers of Trinh Xa always believe in the tutelary deity's protection bringing good fortune to every household.

Besides its ritualistic significance, the tutelary deity procession is also an occasion for the community to express solidarity. Regardless of age or position, everyone participates in that solemn atmosphere. It is thanks to this unity that Tro Chien can continue for generations.

3.3. Notable performances: Choosing a groom, elephant fighting, dragon fighting

The "choosing a groom" performance is one of the most unique performances of Tro Chien, simulating the tradition of testing the talents, virtues, and beauty of young men, while highlighting the proactive role of women in choosing their happiness. The dialogues in the performance always convey messages of patriotism, affirming national sovereignty, harmoniously connecting personal feelings with love for the homeland.

In the "elephant fighting" scene, elephants made of bamboo and rattan are skillfully carried and controlled by strong young men, recreating the image of military strength and the community's will to unite. The image of the elephant in Vietnamese culture is associated with strength and victory, and is also a symbol for praying for children's luck, as many believe that crawling through the elephant's belly will bring blessings.

Performances like "dragon fighting" and "carp transforming into a dragon" demonstrate the symbolic nature and creativity in Tro Chien. The dragon is an image of power and prosperity, while the carp transforming into a dragon symbolizes the spirit of studiousness and the aspiration to rise. All these figures are handcrafted from bamboo, rattan, and paper with unique traditional shaping techniques, possessing both rich aesthetic value and evoking folk beauty.

3.4. Minor performances and interspersed entertainment activities

Not only focusing on major performances, Tro Chien also features many diverse minor performances such as tau ma (horse racing), bringing a lively atmosphere, demonstrating martial spirit and the skillful horsemanship of ancient times. Competitions in making nhan cakes and rang bua leaf cakes not only increase excitement but also contribute to promoting the unique specialties of Thanh Hoa region.

Entertainment activities intertwined in the festival help strengthen interaction and bonding among villagers. (Source: Collected)

Entertainment activities intertwined in the festival help strengthen interaction and bonding among villagers. Elders have the opportunity to tell stories, pass on experiences, while children learn and participate in traditional skills. A joyful atmosphere spreads, creating a community picture full of humanistic colors.

Besides entertainment, the side games in Tro Chien also have educational value, helping children understand more about the traditions, professions, and lives of their ancestors. Thanks to this, cultural values are naturally passed down, continuing through generations.

4. Organization scale and the role of Tro Chien in modern community

4.1. Three levels: grand scale, medium scale, small scale, preserving 1,000 years of tradition

Tro Chien is organized with three different levels, each level carrying its own characteristics and meaning. The grand scale is the largest, held on important occasions, where the entire community of Trinh Xa village mobilizes all resources, with the participation of a large number of residents and visitors.

The medium scale has a moderate size, still maintaining traditional rituals but with fewer performances and participants than the grand scale. The small scale is often associated with minor occasions throughout the year, organized more simply but still preserving the continuous value of tradition.

This hierarchical organization method helps Tro Chien maintain a rhythm suitable for each moment and specific conditions of the village. Thus, for over 1,000 years, the festival has retained its vitality, appeal, and profound meaning for the community. This also testifies to the wisdom of our ancestors in building a festival with timeless endurance.

4.2. Tro Chien is a bridge for unity, a rest after the harvest season

In modern society, Tro Chien is not just a traditional festival, but also an occasion for the entire community to bond and relax after diligent days of labor in the fields. The festival usually takes place after the harvest season, when everyone has finished their work and has time to participate in community cultural activities.

Tro Chieng is an occasion for the entire community to bond and relax after days of hard work. (Source: Collected)

Tro Chieng is an occasion for generations in the village to meet, exchange, and learn life experiences. Elders pass down values and skills to their descendants, while the younger generation brings new vitality to traditional values. From preparation to organization, everyone works together, strengthening village solidarity.

The educational significance of the festival is increasingly evident in modern life. Through performances and rituals, the younger generation accesses history, deeply understands traditions, and good behavioral values. Tro Chieng is like a living history book, bringing visitors closer to their roots, fostering national pride, and a sense of community belonging.

5. Activities for preserving, developing, and spreading the values of Tro Chieng

5.1. Preservation efforts and the Tro Chieng festival in modern times

Local authorities and descendants of the Trịnh family have closely cooperated in the preservation and development of the Tro Chieng festival. Collaborating with stakeholders to organize events, restore traditions, and promote the festival to the public. This support helps the festival become increasingly professional while fully preserving its inherent traditions.

Local authorities cooperate closely in the preservation and development of the Tro Chien festival. (Source: Collected)

The Tro Chien Festival is organized regularly, attracting the participation of many young people, tourists, and cultural researchers. This is an opportunity to innovate and expand the festival's reach. Besides traditional performances, creations that align with contemporary spirit are also incorporated, creating highlights for the festival.

Preservation efforts are also reflected in the recording, archiving, and teaching of traditional skills. Elderly artisans are invited to impart their experience to the younger generation. Images, documents, and videos about Tro Chien are also collected and preserved, creating valuable resources for long-term preservation.

5.2. The Position of Tro Chien in Vietnam's Heritage Treasury

Compared to many festivals in Thanh Hoa, such as the Dong Co Temple festival, the Tro Chien festival stands out due to its diversity and unique, distinctive characteristics. The scale of the palanquin processions, the rich performances, and the profound educational value have created a special position for Tro Chien on the map of traditional Vietnamese festivals. Researchers note that the Tro Chien festival is a "living museum" of Thanh Hoa's culture.

The Tro Chien festival has been associated with the nation's history for over a millennium, witnessing many changes but still maintaining its unique identity. This demonstrates the strong vitality and profound significance of Tro Chien for the community and national culture.

Not only confined to the local scope, the value of Tro Chien also spreads nationally and internationally. The festival conveys the spirit of solidarity, patriotism, the tradition of valuing learning, and the aspiration for development of the Vietnamese nation. These values enrich the country's diverse cultural landscape.

6. Suggestions for Combining Tro Chien Experience with Thanh Hoa's Tourism Ecosystem

Tourists wishing to experience Tro Chien can depart from Thanh Hoa city center or Sam Son tourist area to Yen Dinh by road. The journey of about 50 km is an opportunity to explore the countryside and unique cultural stops of Thanh Hoa. Along the way, tourists can visit Co Linh Temple, Ba Trieu Pagoda to explore more of the local history and culture.

Combining sightseeing with resort activities at Sam Son beach square will bring visitors a complete experience. (Source: Collected)

Combining sightseeing with resort activities at Sam Son beach square will bring visitors a complete experience. After moments filled with the colors of traditional festivals, visitors can relax by the beach, enjoy fresh seafood, and experience high-quality tourism services. The interplay between traditional cultural features and modern beach tourism creates an unforgettable impression.

The journey to explore Tro Chien can also be combined with visiting the Hoa Lu Tam Coc scenic spot in Ninh Binh and many other tourist destinations in the North Central Coast region, helping visitors gain a more comprehensive view of the culture, history, and natural landscapes of the northern region. When participating in the Tro Chien festival, visitors should not forget to enjoy Thanh Hoa specialties such as nem chua, banh mi nem nuong, cha ca la vong to fully appreciate the culinary quintessence of this place.

Tro Chien represents the enduring values and cultural identity of the Vietnamese nation. The festival embodies the tradition of valuing education, patriotism, solidarity, along with creativity and unique folk art. Tro Chien is not merely an entertainment festival but also a bridge between the past, present, and future, an endless source of inspiration for generations of Vietnamese people. Come and participate in the Tro Chien festival to preserve and promote this precious heritage.