If you have the opportunity to travel to the North in general or Hanoi in particular at the beginning of the year, you should take the time to participate in the Dong Da mound festival - one of the unique cultural and historical activities of the people of the Capital. . This is also the time for everyone to review the glorious wartime history of the nation.
1. Where does Dong Da Mound Festival take place? When?
Dong Da mound festival is often called Dong Da festival for short. Surely many people will have the same question: when is Dong Da festival held? Where is Dong Da Festival held? In fact, this is a traditional early spring festival held at Dong Da mound, Quang Trung ward, Dong Da district, Hanoi. The festival takes place on the 5th day of the Lunar New Year every year.
2. Origin and meaning of Dong Da mound festival
Dong Da Mound is a historical attraction located on Tay Son street of Hanoi Capital. This is the place where our nation witnessed the bloody battle with the invading Qing army. At this time, the man who ascended the throne, hero Nguyen Hue, ordered troops to the North to regain national independence.
On the night of the 4th and 5th of the Year of the Rooster, Quang Trung led the Tay Son army to attack the enemy post at Khuong Thuong. The leader of the Qing invaders had to commit suicide soon after. This is a glorious victory of the nation and also a testament to the humiliating end of the invaders.
To recognize the merits of cloth-shirted hero Nguyen Hue and his comrades, people organized the Dong Da Mound Festival every year to commemorate their gratitude and celebrate this glorious victory.
3. Main rituals in Dong Da mound festival
-ย ย Ceremony and palanquin procession of King Quang Trung and Queen Ngoc Han
One of the main activities is the Dong Da mound festival in Hanoi, which is the sacrificial ceremony and palanquin procession of King Quang Trung and Queen Ngoc Han. The village elders will gather from 5 a.m. to prepare for the great ceremony.
At this time, the door of Khuong Thuong communal house will be lit with fragrant incense, the deity ceremony will depart from Khuong Thuong to Dong Da and 6 weeks of wine will be offered. After listening to 3 rounds and 9 drums, the procession will begin. let's go.
The Tiet Mao flag will be placed at the head of the procession to demonstrate the majesty of the gods. The ceremony and palanquin procession take place in a jubilant atmosphere, the group moves slowly so that any resident and tourist can see the grandeur and scale of the festival.
-ย ย Incense offering ceremony and speech reading
After the procession arrives at Dong Da mound, there will be an incense offering ceremony and a speech. The incense offering activity will be carried out at the foot of Quang Trung's monument. After that, the local representative will give a speech to review the nation's glorious victories in the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da match.
-ย ย Requiem
The requiem ceremony will take place in the afternoon of the same day at Boc pagoda and Dong Quang pagoda. Boc Pagoda is a place to pray for the Tay Son soldiers to commemorate their sacrifices for the independence and freedom of the nation. At Dong Quang Pagoda, there will be a ceremony to pray for the invaders, this is considered a beautiful action of our people towards the invaders.
4. What interesting activities does Dong Da Mound Festival have?
-ย ย Admire the epic performance recreating the image of the Tay Son insurgent army
Talking about the Dong Da mound festival, people can also listen to extremely interesting activities at the festival, typically the epic performance recreating the image of the Tay Son insurgent army. Actors of Vietnamese Cheo Theater will reenact the process of building the country and defeating the Mongol invaders. The performance is rich in artistic culture, creating a heroic atmosphere, honoring the national spirit.
-ย ย Enjoy unique lion dance and lion dance performances
Lion dance and lion dance performances are the activities most people and tourists wait for. The performance was performed by young artists demonstrating the heroic spirit and strength of the nation. Amid the roaring drums and cheers of everyone, you will feel excited about a bustling festival at the beginning of the year.
-ย ย Participate in fun folk games
Within the framework of Dong Da festival, there will be folk games, typically: martial arts fighting, human chess, tug of war, cockfighting,... and activities for children such as toy making, playing bubbles... Because So, if you are looking for a place to have fun at the beginning of the year in Dong Da, Hanoi, you can refer to this festival.
Normally, visitors participating in the Dong Da Mound Festival will spend about 1 day, so if you have a longer plan, don't forget to combine visiting other Hanoi entertainment destinations for more experiences. Attractive in the Capital in early spring.