Water procession launches Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival

The procession comprised demonstrators holding colourful flags, musicians, drummers, palanquin carriers, village elders and a man playing the role of king. They started from the King Dinh Tien Hoang temple and headed down the Hoang Long River.

Water taken from the river was brought back to the temple as an offering made during a ceremonial prayer for peace, favourable weather conditions, bumper crops and prosperity for local people.

The annual festival is held to commemorate the 1046th anniversary of the enthronement of Dinh Bo Linh (968–2014), who defeated 12 warlords to unite the country under the name Dai Co Viet.

A series of activities is taking place during the festival, including a dragon dance, a wrestling contest, a boat race and a volleyball competition. The Ninh Binh provincial museum is hosting an exhibition of treasured antiquities from the Dinh dynasty.