The 2016 Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival, held in Hai Duong Province, is expected to attract an estimate of nearly 30,000 visitors this year, according to the event’s organisers.
The festival, held from September 10-20, commemorates the contributions of General Tran Hung Dao, amongst the most revered figures in Vietnamese history for his role in the country’s victories over three major 13th century Mongolian invasions.
The festival also honours Nguyen Trai, a poet and Confucian scholar who was recognised an Outstanding Man of Culture by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 1980.
The festival features activities such as a lantern-release ceremony to pray for the country’s peace and prosperity and a military boat parade on Luc Dau River that re-enacts the Tran Dynasty army during the second struggle against Mongolian invaders. The celebration was recognised as national intangible cultural heritage in 2012.