Traditional ploughing festival wishes for bumper harvests
The traditional Tich dien (ploughing) festival was held in Doi Son commune of Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam, on February 11 to pray for bumper harvests and prosperity for all.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (front, right) takes part in the ploughing ritual at the Tich dien festival on February 11 (Photo: VNA)
Ha Nam (VNA) – The traditional Tich dien (ploughing) festival was held inDoi Son commune of Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam, onFebruary 11 to pray for bumper harvests and prosperity for all.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh took partin the ploughing ritual at the event.
According to historical records, the first Tichdien ceremony of Vietnam was organised at the foot of Doi Mountain by King Le DaiHanh in the spring of 987. This ceremony has become a tradition practiced inevery spring since then.
The festival features the procession of thememorial tablet of King Le Dai Hanh from Long Doi Son Pagoda to the foot of DoiMountain, where it merges with the processions of the local tutelary god andthe founder of the Doi Tam drum making craft. The joint procession then movesto the paddy area believed to be the venue of the first Tich dien ceremony soas to carry out rituals praying to the Agricultural God for bumper harvests andprosperity.
Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Binhsaid the annual Tich dien festival in Ha Nam province – part of the nationalintangible cultural heritage – has become a highlight of the local culture.
He spoke highly of the restoration andorganisation of this festival, noting that this is a practical move to helppreserve and uphold cultural values, encourage agricultural and ruraldevelopment, and popularise Vietnam’s image.
He noted with satisfaction that Vietnameseagriculture has made great strides when its growth rate surpassed 3.7 percent in2018 – a seven-year record high, and the country has not only ensured its foodsecurity but also become one of the 15 leading agricultural exporters in theworld. Meanwhile, rural areas have gained a facelift with over 42 percent ofthe total communes and 61 district-level localities recognised as new-stylerural areas.
At the Tich dien festival, a number of culturaland sports activities were also held, including drum performances, buffalodecoration, traditional wrestling and tug of war.
On this occasion, the Ha Nam People’s Committeealso presented new-style rural area certificates to 13 communes in theprovince.-VNA
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The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has recently taken effect in Vietnam, which will bring about both opportunities and challenges for many fields, including agriculture.
Provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta have set to develop high-quality agriculture combined with eco-tourism, services and industry as their ambitious targets this year.
A buffalo painting contest for the Doi Son Tich Dien (ploughing) Festivalwas held on February 10, or the sixth day of the Lunar New Year in Doi Son commune, Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
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At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
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The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (front, right) takes part in the ploughing ritual at the Tich dien festival on February 11 (Photo: VNA) 
