The annual Festival at Den Duc Ong Hoang Can Temple took place in Hai Lang commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province. The event celebrated the cultural and sporting heritage of the San Diu ethnic minority group.
A highlight of the festival was the “Best Crab” competition, a first for Tien Yen district. The contest aimed to honor and promote the area’s seafood farming potential and the renowned Hai Lang crab brand.
Eight teams from different villages in Hai Lang commune participated in the competition. They showcased their best male and female crabs, as well as pairs of crabs, in a series of exciting contests.
In addition to the crab judging, the teams also competed in a crab-tying speed challenge.
For the male and female crab categories, each team presented one crab weighing over 0.6 kg and 0.5 kg, respectively. For the best pair of crabs, teams selected two crabs without using those from the previous rounds.
The competition concluded with awards for the best male crab going to Team Thong Nhat, the best female crab to Team Truong Tung, and the best pair of crabs again to Team Thong Nhat, all from Hai Lang commune.
The winning crabs were crowned and celebrated, much like a beauty pageant.
Ms. Do Thi Duyen, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tien Yen district and head judge of the competition, shared that the district is focused on developing crab farming. Currently, Tien Yen has nearly 1000 hectares dedicated to traditional crab farming, with an average annual yield of over 100 tons. The “Best Crab” competition not only provided a fun platform for local crab farmers but also helped promote the Hai Lang crab brand to tourists within and outside the province.
The Den Duc Ong Hoang Can Temple Festival also featured other exciting activities, including traditional culinary competitions, sports tournaments, and a display of beautiful offerings to Duc Ong Hoang Can.
Additionally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism presented a decision and certificate recognizing the Soong Co folk singing tradition of the San Diu ethnic group in Quang Ninh province as part of the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.
The Den Duc Ong Hoang Can Temple Festival and the San Diu Cultural and Sports Day are annual events that aim to preserve and revive the traditional culture and customs of the San Diu ethnic group in Tien Yen district. These events contribute to the conservation and promotion of the community’s cultural values while providing entertainment and enhancing the spiritual life of the local people.
