Bustling 4-day festival in the hometown of famous general Ly Thuong Kiet

The procession of Van with the participation of hundreds of people from Phuc Xa village. Photo: Hien Luong

The festival is also an occasion to celebrate the 1006th anniversary of the birth of Thai Uy, Viet Quoc Cong Ly Thuong Kiet (1019-2025), expressing pride in the homeland of an outstanding hero, talented and virtuous, both literary and martial. He served as an official under three dynasties: Ly Thai Tong, Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nhan Tong; achieved great feats in defeating the Song, pacifying the Cham, helping the king to suppress the enemy, overseeing the country, becoming one of the two greatest generals of all time in Vietnam. He was the one who wrote the "First Declaration of Independence" of our country - the divine poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" which will be forever famous.

The elderly were excited to participate in the procession. Photo: Hien Luong

Phuc Xa Communal House originated from Co Xa Temple, which currently worships Thai Uy Ly Thuong Kiet and the Thanh Hoang: General Dao Ky - Grand Marshal under the Hai Ba Trung Dynasty, three generals of the Hung King Dynasty: Bao Trung Dai Vuong, Minh Khiet Dai Vuong, Hieu Cong Dai Vuong and two princesses Hong Nuong and Hao Nga - who helped transport food for King Ly Thanh Tong to Hoan Chau and Ai Chau.

The entire festival took place over 4 days from April 2 to the evening of April 5, 2025. From the afternoon of April 2, hundreds of people from Phuc Xa village of all ages and backgrounds participated in the procession of Van Tu to Duc Ong to Phuc Xa communal house. The procession, in colorful costumes, was hundreds of meters long and passed through the streets in the area.

The procession passed through the alleys in Ngoc Thuy ward. Photo: Hien Luong

Leading the way is the flag team, followed by the ceremonial team, the palanquin team, and finally the group of elderly men and women, the association of the elderly, women, and veterans... The bustling sound of drums and gongs creates a joyful and exciting atmosphere for the people.

According to the program, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the same day (April 2), the opening ceremony and traditional festival art program of Phuc Xa village will take place on the stage set up in the grounds of Ly Thuong Kiet communal house.

Elderly people in colorful costumes join the procession. Photo: Hien Luong

On April 3, in the morning, there were offerings at the communal house with men's and women's teams and local people; in the evening, there was a cultural program "self-directed and self-performed" by local residential groups.

April 4 is a day for promoting local products and sports.

On April 5, people will enjoy the cai luong play "A lifetime of loyalty to Thang Long" performed by artists from the Vietnam Cai Luong Theatre.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ron-rang-4-ngay-le-hoi-que-huong-danh-tuong-ly-thuong-kiet-697659.html