Online Travel Vietnam: The traditional Giong Festival in Hanoi’s outlying district of Gia Lam on May 11 (the ninth day of the fourth lunar month), focused on cultural rituals highlighting its strength, humanity and sacred nature.
This year's event was organised on a larger scale, marking the first year since the festival was officially recognised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as an intangible heritage of humankind.
Participants enjoyed the re-enactment of combat against the Chinese Yin invaders by the legendary hero, who was said to use bamboo as his weapon.
Earlier, a flag procession from Mau (Mother) Temple to Thuong (Upper) Temple and a tiger capture show were held.
Two battles against the invaders at Dong Dam and Soi Bia were symbolised by flags dances and victorious feasts.
The Giong Festival is held annually in Phu Dong commune from the 6 th to the 12 th day of the fourth lunar month to commemorate Saint Giong, one of the immortal quartets in the Vietnamese legends.
Source: Oratrip.
