A festival to celebrate the 1,971 st anniversary of the Trung sisters’ uprising (40AD) was solemnly organised in Hanoi’s outskirts district of Me Linh on the sixth day of the lunar year which fell on Feb. 8 on the modern calendar.

The opening ceremony saw the presence of Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan and representatives from ministries and agencies.

According to the Vietnamese historical account, Trung Trac and her younger sister Trung Nhi, rode elephants to lead the troops in battle and defeated Chinese troops coming from the north, gaining independence for the country after more than two centuries of domination by the foreign feudal invaders.

The revolt was briefly successful and Trung Trac established herself as ruler of an independent state, becoming the first royal leader and also the first female leader in the country’s history. She chose Me Linh as a new capital.

During the three-day traditional event, an array of folk games and artistic performances will take place./.