Amazing parade: One of the festivities at the Hai Bà Trưng Temple
festival. The festival in Hà Nội’s Mê Linh District has officially
received the title of ’National Intangible Cultural Heritage’
HÀNỘI — The Hai Bà Trưng Temple Festival in Hà Nội’s outskirt Mê Linh
District has officially received the title ‘National Intangible Cultural
Heritage’.
The title was awarded to the festival at its opening ceremony on
Wednesday or the 6th day in the first month of the Lunar New Year to
mark the 1,978th anniversary of the Hai Bà Trưng (Two Trưng Sisters)
Uprising at the temple, a special national historical relic in the city.
The Chairman of Mê Linh District People’s Committee Đoàn Văn Trọng,
said local people and authorities were happy and proud to receive the
title.
“In the future, we, the authorities and people in Mê Linh District, vow
to continue to preserve and promote the cultural values as well as the
history of the festival to deserve the great merit of the two national
heroine sisters Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị”, said the official.
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According to Mê Linh District People’s Committee, the special national
historical Hai Bà Trưng temples annually receive millions of visitors
from across the country to conduct spiritual activities and enjoy
cultural activites at the festival.
Prominent among delegates at the ceremony were Vice President Đặng Thị
Ngọc Thịnh, Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Định Dũng and former Vice
President Nguyễn Thị Doan.
On the sixth day of the second lunar month in AD40, Trưng sisters led a
mass uprising against Chinese Han invaders to reclaim national
independence after more than 200 years of foreign rule.
After defeating the invaders, Trưng Trắc became Queen. Three years
later, the Han army returned and defeated the Trưng sisters and their
army, after which the sisters killed themselves by jumping into the Hát
Giang River.
The uprising has gone down in Vietnamese history as a demonstration of
the nation’s strength and patriotism, as well as the crucial role of
Vietnamese women in national defence.
The festival comprises several rituals such as incense offering, a
parade and folk performances. It will last until today, or the 8th day
in the first lunar month.