Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 1 joined leaders of ministries, sectors, Ha Noi authorities and people at the festival celebrating the 228th anniversary of Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da Victory against the Chinese Qing invaders, which opened at Dong Da Cultural Park.
Prior to the opening ceremony, the delegates offered flowers to commemorate Emperor Quang Trung, who led the battle.
The festival opened with a palanquin procession and a dragon dance, followed by a tuong (classical drama) reenacting the victory, martial arts performances, folk dances and folk games.
In his speech, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Da District, Nguyen Song Hao, reviewed the glorious merits of Emperor Quang Trung and and his generals and soldiers in the Tay Son Troop, who defeated 290,000 Qing soldiers on the fifth day of the first lunar month of 1789, liberating Thang Long imperial city.
He stressed that the victory went down in Vietnamese history as an epic of the Vietnamese’ undaunted spirit to fight against foreign invaders while symbolizing the patriotism and aspiration for independence of the people.
Following the ancestors’ glorious tradition, local authorities and people of Dong Da District have promoted solidarity in order to further develop the district and the Ha Noi capital, he said.
The Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory was also observed in Tay Son District, Binh Dinh Province and Vinh City, Nghe An Province, attracting numerous visitors and local residents.