A resounding drum performance opened Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival
2013 on April 17 in the northern province of Ninh Binh in tribute to
King Dinh Tien Hoang who established the first centralised feudal state
in Vietnam in 968.

In 968, Dinh Bo Linh ascended to
the throne and took the name of King Dinh Tien Hoang and reunified the
country under the name of Dai Co Viet whose ancient capital is Hoa Lu in
Ninh Binh province. The location of the kingdom was based on favourable
geographical conditions owned by the locality.

During the 12-year reign, which ended in 979, King Dinh Tien Hoang built
a strongly-institutionalised dynasty with a well-arranged
administration and strong military force, and prioritised making use of
natural land reserves and developing economy, culture, and arts.

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the Hoa Lu district Party
Committee Nguyen Sy Tri stressed that the festival aims to remind the
offspring of the traditional national construction and defence fostered
by our ancestors.

This is also a chance to promote
patriotism and national pride among younger generations and encourage
them to do more for the nation, Tri said.

As part of
the National Tourism Year on Red River Delta 2013, the event is
expected to promote provincial tourism potential and cultural products
to domestic and international visitors, he added.

At
the opening ceremony, festival-goers joined in a water parade from the
Hoang Long River to King Ding’s Temple , and the festive
atmosphere, which was created by numerous activities such as a cheo
(traditional opera) singing, traditional wrestling, a human chess play,
and artifact shows.

A special art performance recounted Dinh Bo Linh’s sworn-in ceremony.-VNA