The traditional Hoa Lu Festival will take place from April 24^th to 27^th in Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital, in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

Hoa Lu Festival on way in Ninh Binh. (Photo: Internet)

This year’s festival marks the 1050^th anniversary of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang naming the country Dai Co Viet, in 968AD; the first feudal state with central power. There will be a fireworks display in celebration.

Together with familiar ceremonies, the 2018 festival also includes cultural exchanges between former Vietnamese capitals and other provinces as well as with Asan city in South Korea and Oudomxay province in Laos.

There will also be a photo exhibition on the beauty of the local people and landscapes, a music and dance program, various temple festivals, and folk games.

A workshop will also be held on the role of the Dai Co Viet Empire in Vietnam’s history.

For the first time, Ninh Binh province will also organise a tourism week to promote the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After Dinh Bo Linh defeated 12 warlords he ascended the throne in 968 and named the country Dai Co Viet, meaning A Great Viet. It was the first feudal state of Vietnam which existed from 968 to 1010 AD.

Hoa Lu, the homeland of Dinh Bo Linh, was selected as the capital and existed as such for 41 years (968-1009), including 12 years of the Dinh Dynasty and 29 years of the Le Dynasty. In 1010, Emperor Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, today’s Hanoi.

Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel has become a popular destination for tourists with a host of historical and cultural attractions, such as palaces built by emperors and temples worshiping Dinh Bo Linh and other emperors and Gods within the beliefs of local people.

The citadel retains the ancient fortress built by the Dinh Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago. The imperial palace is three meters underground. The perimeter is built based on natural advantages: the nearby mountains provide a good background, the deep valley act as a “basement”, and the rivers supplied water and were a hazard for any enemy to cross. Tourists can also see old items used by the royal family in ancient times.

The Hoa Lu Festival (also known as the Truong Yen festival) last for three days, from the 10^th day of the third lunar month.

The festival includes two parts including worshiping with a water procession at the Truong Yen water station on the Hoang Long River and worshipping at the two temples of Emperor Dinh and Emperor Le.

Entertainment includes folk music, a Chinese Han script writing competition, chess, dragon dances, a beauty contest for Hoa Lu women, and folk games. It brings back memories of olden times and helps young people get to know more about the traditions of their ancestors./.

VNF/VNE