Hoa Lu Festival 2018 kicks off

The Hoa Lu Festival 2018 kicked off on April 24 in Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital, in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

At the festival (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)
At the festival (Photo: nongnghiep.vn)

This year’s festival marks the 1,050th anniversary of the establishment of Dai Co Viet, the first feudal state of Vietnam.

A series of cultural and sporting activities and festivals, including an art exchange, a national workshop on the role of Dai Co Viet in the country’s history, as well as art and photo exhibitions and the Thai Vi Temple and Trang An festivals, will be held.

The events is expected to provide people with a better understanding of the role and historic values of Dai Co Viet and promote the signature cultural and natural beauties of the Hoa Lu ancient capital, according to Pham Quang Ngoc, head of the provincial Party’s Committee Board of Information and Education.

In the late 10th century, Hoa Lu was the capital and economic, political and cultural centre of Dai Co Viet founded by Dinh Bo Linh (968-979), before the Early Le Dynasty (980-1009).

Dai Co Viet (Great Viet) was the first centralised feudal state in Vietnam and existed from 968 to 1010 AD. It was also the native land of three royal dynasties: the Dinh, the early Le and the Ly. Hoa Lu was the first capital of the country until King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (now Hanoi) in 1010.