Spring festivals held across country

Nhan Dan – Across the country people are flocking to spring festivals such as the King Mai Temple Festival in Nghe An, Con Son - Kiep Bac Festival in Hai Duong and Thuong Temple Festival in Lao Cai.

The Temple dedicated to King Mai Hac De on the festive day (photo: VNA)
The Temple dedicated to King Mai Hac De on the festive day (photo: VNA)

King Mai Temple Festival has been held annually on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in Nam Dan district, in central Nghe An province for generations of Vietnamese.

The three-day festival commemorates King Mai Hac De and his generals who led the Hoan Chau Uprisings (roughly 1,300 years ago) to fight against foreign aggressors for national liberation.

This year's festival includes activities such as: traditional rites, folk games, sports competitions and an art performance about King Mai Hac De.

In the northern province of Hai Duong, the 2014 Con Son - Kiep Bac Spring Festival opened yesterday, with a banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and banh day (glutinous rice dumpling) cooking contest, attracting the participation of 250 artisans from across the province.

The annual festival is organised to show gratitude to Hero Tran Hung Dao who fought against the Yuan-Mongol invaders in the 13th century.

Today in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, local authorities launched the Thuong Temple Festival 2014, attended by thousand of locals and visitors.

Highlights of the festival were the parades of traditional costumes and performances of folk songs and dances by ethnic groups found in the province.

Besides traditional ceremonies and rites, the festival also includes a trade fair introducing ornamental trees. .