A festival was held in Hanoi on February 18 – the fifth day of the first lunar month – to celebrate the 221st anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory over 290,000 Qing invaders.

Despite chilly weather, hundreds of people flocked to Dong Da Hill in Trung Liet Ward to take part in this traditional festival.

Many pilgrims from nearby provinces such as Quang Ninh and Hai Phong offered incense to commemorate National Hero-Emperor Quang Trung, who defeated the Qing invaders and unified Dai Viet (now Vietnam).

In the early spring of 1789, Nguyen Hue, who was later proclaimed Emperor Quang Trung, led his guerrillas from the Hue imperial palace to Hanoi which was then occupied by the Qing army. He launched a surprise attack and defeated more than 290,000 Qing soldiers during a five-day Lunar New Year battle.

At the commemoration ceremony, Tran Duc Hoc, chairman of the Dong Da District People’s Committee, highlighted the historic significance of the victory and affirmed the Vietnamese people’s determination to unite and defeat any foreign enemies.

He said the victory demonstrated the ardent patriotism, courage and steadfastness of the Vietnamese people who have never submitted to any foreign rule. He said it also showed Nguyen Hue’s wise use of military tactics and the great patriotic effort of the people of Thang Long Citadel (now Hanoi).

Hundreds of professional and amateur artists staged a special programme, including drumming, dragon and unicorn dances, and martial arts performances. Other sports and folk games such as human chess and cock fighting were also organised.