Jubilant, solemn programmes to celebrate Hanoi birthday

A jubilant and solemn programme was held in the northern province of Ninh Binh on Oct. 1 in re-enactment of the announcement of the Royal Proclamation on the relocation of the capital and the relocation journey.
The programme started with a ritual at the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh at the former royal capital of Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh.
Then drum performance and unicorn and dragon dances warmed up the atmosphere before King Ly Thai To’s proclamation to move the capital city was read out.
King Ly Thai To, who was the first king of the Ly Dynasty, made the strategic decision to move the country’s capital city from Hoa Lu to Dai La (now Hanoi).
Artists from Hanoi and Ninh Binh dressed up as the King, the Queen and members of the royal court got on a dragon boat to leave for Hanoi, following the journey of the King in 1010.
The same day, an exhibition of photos and documents entitled “Ho Chi Minh City: renewal, development and integration” opened at Lam Son park in Ho Chi Minh City as an activity to mark the 1,000 th anniversary of Hanoi and the 9th municipal Party Congress to open on Oct. 5.
The 10-day exhibition is among many other activities being held in the city coinciding with the 10 festive days in Hanoi.
On this occasion, the city is decorated with flags, colour lights, banners and slogans to mark Hanoi's birthday and the municipal Party Congress.
In the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, from late September, many activities have been organised to celebrate the capital city’s birthday.
An exhibition of nearly 300 photos of Hanoi and Thua Thien Hue opened at the provincial Ho Chi Minh Museum and will run until Oct. 15.
On this occasion, Pham Chi Luong, a craft man of Truong Son drum establishment of Hue city made a pair of drums with a height of 2.8m and a diametre of 2.2m for the celebration.
Another craft man also from Phuong Duc ward of Hue, Nguyen Van Thuy, made a giant bronze gong for performance at celebrations in Hanoi.