Scene at a boat race in last year's fall festival. Photo: VNA The annual fall festival, which attracted more than 80,000 tourists last year , will run in northern Hai Duong province’s Con Son – Kiep Bac relic site from September 22 through October 2.
The event will feature a range of traditional rituals and cultural activities such as incense-offering ceremonies, a boat race and a water puppetry festival.
It will also be an occasion to promote the request for UNESCO recognition of the Yen Tu – Con Son and Kiep Bac – Vinh Nghiem relic complex as a world heritage.
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the commemoration of 715 years since the death of Tran Quoc Tuan (or Tran Hung Dao), one of the most revered figures in Vietnam’s history for his leading role in the country’s victory over Mongolian invaders in the 13th century.
Located in Chi Linh district, the Con Son – Kiep Bac relic was the site of many important battles between the army of the Tran Dynasty (1226 - 1400) and the Yuan-Mongol invaders.
It was also closely associated with the lives and careers of Tran Quoc Tuan and the Great Man of Culture of the World Nguyen Trai (1380-1442), one of Vietnam's most famous poets and writers.
The destination was recognised as a national heritage site in 1962 and a special national heritage in 2012.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism accredited Con Son-Kiep Bac spring and autumn festivals as national intangible cultural heritages in 2013.
The autumn festival traditionally takes place from the 15th to the 20th day of the eighth lunar month.-VNA
