A festival was held at Dong Da mound in Hanoi on February 18, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, to mark the 221st anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da victory (1789-2010) over the Qing invaders.
It also commemorates Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue, a national hero who led his forces to victory.
An art performance is held to cerebrate the 221st anniversary of Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory. (Photo: SGGP)
The festival this year had added poignancy because Hanoi is set to celebrate its 1,000th anniversary in October.
Early in the morning, thousands of local residents and delegations in traditional attire, holding national flags made their way to the Dong Da mound.
The festival ceremonies were carried out in a solemn atmosphere.
All the streets around the Dong Da mound were crowded with festival goers.
The victory over invaders that took place 221 years ago is still a matter of pride for Vietnamese people, and its leader, Quang Trung – Nguyen Hue, is a national icon.
On the occasion, a series of art performances and traditional games such as human chess, cock-fighting and Cheo (Vietnamese traditional opera) were held.
On the same day, a two day celebration of the same victory closed at the Quang Trung Museum in the central province of Binh Dinh.
The festival in Binh Dinh attracted more than 25,000 domestic and foreign visitors.
The festival featured unique traditional art performances and other cultural activities, including drumming, Tay Nguyen gong performances, and a boat race on the Con River.
Many people offer incense and flowers at the monument of Emperor Quang Trung. (Photo: SGGP)
Earlier, delegations offered incense and flowers at the monument of Emperor Quang Trung.
In related news, on a music performance was held at Tao Dan Park in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 221st anniversary of Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da victory.
Ho Chi Minh City leaders, veterans, Heroic Mothers and other city residents took part in the performance.
The performance is one of traditional activities held at the beginning of the Lunar New Year.
In the early spring of 1789, Nguyen Hue, who was later proclaimed Emperor Quang Trung, led his army from the imperial palace in Hue to Hanoi which was then occupied by the Qing army. He launched a surprise attack and defeated more than 290,000 Qing soldiers during a five-day Lunar New Year battle.
The victory is one of the nation’s most remarkable historical moments.
