Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival

(Cinet)- The festival is held annually on the 10th -13th of March of the lunar calendar in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district with the purpose of commemorating the two kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.

Objective of worship: Includes water procession at Truong Yen water station located on Hoang Long river and worship at the two temples of King Dinh and King Le.

Description of festival: The festival commences with a procession led by a group of young boys disguised as cowherds, each of whom is wearing a red turban, brown leggings and a piece of blue cloth around his waist and holding a reed flag. Another boy playing the role of Dinh Bo Linh is carried by them on a palanquin across the Hoang Long River to Uy Vien village where various dances are performed around the palanquin following the drum beat and flag signals. At the end of the morning Dinh Bo Linh is carried back to Truong Yen where the traditional games and cultural activities of the festival commence.