Thousands of visitors flocked to Dong Da Hill in Ha Noi on Monday, Feb 7, to
celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da Victory.

Kickin’ it: During the festival a number of games were played to celebrate the martial spirit. (Photo: VNS)

The Dong Da festival
takes place annually on the 5th day of the lunar first month. It is a festival
organised in memory of King Quang Trung’s great military victory.

Many new activities
were included in this year’s festivities. “The traditions of placing offerings,
dragon dance and palanquin procession have been brushed up and given a new
face,” said Nguyen Thi Kim Anh, director of Dong Da Culture Park.

Performers from the Ha
Noi traditional opera recreated the heroic story of King Quang Trung and his
troops defeating invaders on the hill in 1789.

Quang Trung, a Tay Son
farmer who later became a national hero, defeated more than 200,000 soldiers of
the invading Qing army. Dong Da Hill became known as one of the nation’s most
glorious historical sites.

In the early morning
of the festival, a procession for the historical event’s celebration commenced
at Khuong Thuong and ended at Dong Da Hill. The procession included flags, a
processional parasol, palanquins in a variety of colours, and the sounds of
gongs and drums.

During the festival a
number of games were played to represent the martial spirit. Among them, the
procession of Thang Long dragon was considered by many as the most original.

“The festival has
become an essential part of the capital’s culture. It’s a way for people to
remind themselves of the historical event and open the eyes of young people,”
said Tran Duc Hoc, chairman of Dong Da District People’s Committee.

Authorities in the
central province of Binh Dinh’s Tay Son District – King Quang Trung’s (Nguyen
Hue city) homeland – also attended the ceremony and gave speeches recalling the
historic battle.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News