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Festival-goers celebrate King Quang Trung's historic victory
Crowds thronged at
Dong Da Hill in Ha Noi today -- Day 5 of
the first lunar month -- to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the
Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da Victory.
Photos by Trương Vị
Crowds thronged at Dong Da Hill in Ha Noi today -- Day 5 of the first lunar month -- to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da Victory.
The festival is organised annually to celebrate King Quang Trung's great military victory over the Chinese in 1789.
Quang Trung was a Tay Son farmer who later became a national hero by defeating more than 200,000 soldiers of the invading Qing army.
Dong Da Hill in Tay Son Street -- the site of the battle – has since become known as one of the nation's most glorious historical sites.
In the early morning of the festival, a religious procession of celebration made its way from Khuong Thuong to Dong Da Hill. The procession included flags, parasols and colourful palanquins, all marching to the sound of gongs and drums.
The highlight of the procession was a fire dragon, decorated with straw, scales, and coarse paper, which provided a spectacular performance.
The schedule and highlights of the event were as follows:
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| The procession of King Quang Trung's ritual tablet passed along Dang Tien Dong Street. |
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| The procession moved towards Dong Da Hill. |
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| Dancers followed the procession.
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| Senior citizens carrying trays of fruit on their heads followed the procession. |
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| The procession reached Dong Da Hill. |
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| Many senior citizens (men and women) performed dances. |
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| The important status of King Quang Trung was celebrated. |
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| Thousands of people and leaders from various areas attended the ceremony. |
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| Representatives from ministries and sectors offered incense to the king. |
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| A drum performance was held. |
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| A dragon performance was held. |
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| The king and officials discussed ways to defeat the Qing army. |
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| The battle has since become known as one of the nation's most glorious victories. |
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| After the victory, the king gifted a bouquet of peach flowers to his wife, Princess Ngoc Han. |
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| Singing and dancing celebrated the victory. |
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| After the ceremony, visitors attended the exhibition hall near Dong Da Hill to view the historical weapons of the king's army. |
