A performance during the art programme, titled "Lam Son Spirit – Forever Shine," celebrates the Prime Minister's decision to recognise Lam Kinh as a place of national heritage. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Duc

THANH HOA (VNS)— At a grand ceremony yesterday at Lam Kinh Historical Site in Tho Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province, authorities received the Prime Minister's certificate recognising the site as a Special National Relic.

The ceremony was part of the annual Lam Kinh festival, which honours national hero Le Loi (1384-1443). Also known as Le Thai To, he was the first king of the Vietnamese Le Dynasty. The festival also celebrates those who joined the Lam Son Uprising against the Chinese Ming invaders to win national independence.

The Le Dynasty (1428-1788) had two royal temples, one in Thang Long (now Ha Noi) and the other in Lam Kinh. Every year the kings made a pilgrimage from Thang Long Citadel to Lam Kinh to pay tribute to their ancestors.

"The fact that Lam Kinh Historical Site is now a National Special Relic reflects the current generations' gratefulness to previous generations' devotion and sacrifice in the fight against foreign invaders, the protection of sovereignty and independence Fand national construction," Politburo member and Viet Nam Fatherland Front president Nguyen Thien Nhan said at the ceremony.

"It also demonstrates the importance of the State and Party's policies to protect the nation's cultural heritage. Both intangible and tangible cultural heritage sites are important assets for the whole nation.

"The Lam Kinh Historical Site is our pride and honour, so we all need to take serious responsibility for protecting it as well as other national historical relics."

The Fatherland Front president urged the local people to continue efforts to conserve the site and develop tourism.

The three-day festival, which ends today, features traditional rituals, art performances and folk games. The biggest-ever festival so far, it commemorates the 580th death anniversary of King Le Thai To and 595th anniversary of the Lam Son Uprising. — VNS