A festival was held at the Dong Da Park in Hanoi on February 23 to markthe 226th anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi–Dong Da Victory over the ChineseQing invaders.

The victorious battle was led by national hero Nguyen Hue (also known as Emperor Quang Trung).

NationalAssembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi andrepresentatives of ministries, local departments and thousands of localpeople took part in the event.

The festival included anincense-offering ceremony, a procession featuring Emperor Quang Trung’spalanquin and a range of artistic performances in memory of him and TaySon soldiers.

Dong Da Hill, located in the park in Hanoi,reportedly witnessed fierce battles between Emperor Quang Trung’ssoldiers and the Chinese invaders and the Chinese invaders on the fifthday of the first lunar month.

The festival at the park aims to uphold the country’s cultural values, while educating the young generation.

“Theannual festival is organised every year to pay homage to the greatvictory of Emperor Quang Trung, and to teach the tradition of patriotismand national pride to the capital’s young generation,” said Chairman ofthe Dong Da district People’s Committee Nguyen Song Hao at thefestival.

In the early spring of 1789, Nguyen Hue – who was laterproclaimed Emperor Quang Trung – led his troops from the Hue imperialpalace to Hanoi, which was then occupied by the Qing army.

Helaunched a surprise attack and defeated more than 29,000 invadingsoldiers in a battle on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

Thevictory of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da has gone down in Vietnamese history as animmortal and epic struggle for national construction and defence.

On this occasion, a 700sq.m temple to worship Emperor Quang Trung, located in the Dong Da Park, was inaugurated on February 24.

The same day, an art performance to mark the glorious victory was held in Ho Chi Minh City.-VNA