Thousands attend Dong Da festival in memory of King Quang Trung
Thousands of people converged on Dong Da Cultural Park in Hanoi’s Dong Da district on February 14 or the fifth day of the first lunar month, to attend a festival celebrating King Quang Trung’s victory over Chinese Qing invaders 235 years ago.
Thousands of people from Hanoi and nearby localities flock to celebrate the Dong Da festival to mark the 235th anniversary of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory in 1789.
Politburo member and Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Dinh Tien Dung joins representatives from relevant ministries and agencies to attend the festival which commemorates the historical event.
The opening ceremony of the festival is held in a solemn atmosphere.
Leaders offer incense in commemoration of King Quang Trung who led Tay Son soldiers to defeat more than 200,000 Chinese Qing troops 235 years ago.
Diverse activities are held during the festival, including a procession featuring King Quang Trung’s palanquin.
The festival aims to uphold the tradition of patriotism and national pride among the Vietnamese people.
A range of artistic performances are also held in memory of the Tay Son soldiers.
Hundreds of professional and amateur artists stage a special programme featuring drum-beating, dragon and unicorn dances, and martial arts performances.
Dong Da Hill was the scene of one of the fiercest fights in the country’s history.
In 1789, Tay Son troops led by Admiral Dang Tien Dong crushed Khuong Thuong Station which was occupied by the Qing invaders, forcing their General to hang himself near Dong Da Hill.
This preliminary victory paved the way for King Quang Trung and his troops to enter Thang Long citadel and rout more than 200,000 Qing invaders.
Since then, activities held to celebrate the victory have taken place annually on Dong Da Hill on the fifth day of the first lunar month.