Delegations offer incense in front of the statue of Emperor Quang Trung. Photo:VNA

One of the largest traditional festivals of Hanoi, known as the Dong Da Mound Festival, is held on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year every year to commemorate the great merits of hero Quang Trung Nguyen Hue, his generals, the Tay Son insurgent army and the people, who heroically fought against foreign invaders and protected the nation's independence.

Long-standing rituals included incense offering ceremony, sacrifice ceremonies of local worship groups, palanquin processions of Emperor Quang Trung and Queen Le Ngoc Han, flowers and incense offering at the monument and temple of Emperor Quang Trung, and a performance of epic.

Festival goers expressed pride in the festival tradition and the history of national defense:

“I see the festival now more majestic, more complete, and more beautiful with many participants. I feel happy. As I am already old, I only wish that as long as I live, I can still join in the festival, first to worship God, to Buddha, then to worship Emperor Quang Trung."

“The festival is grand and brilliant. I love this festival and attend every year. People everywhere are looking forward to celebrating the year Emperor Quang Trung defeated the enemy to bring happiness to the people. Future generations must learn to follow his example."

“I ‘ve got to see both the ceremony and historical scenes recreating the battles of Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue. I understand more clearly about our country's history, about the historic battle to regain the capital city of Thang Long."