Saint Giong festival displays strength and solidarity

The Giong Festival in Phu Dong commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi stepped into its main day on May 11 (the ninth day of the fourth lunar month), re-enacting outstanding cultural rituals that represented the strength, humanity and sacred nature of a traditional Vietnamese festival.
This year’s festival was organised on a larger scale, marking the first year since the festival was officially recognised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as an intangible heritage of humankind.
The main day of the festival was highlighted by the re-enactment of combat against the Chinese Yin invaders by the legendary hero, who was said to use bamboo as his weapon.
Earlier, a flag procession from the Mau (Mother) Temple to the Thuong (Upper) Temple and a tiger capture show were held.
Two battles against the invaders at Dong Dam and Soi Bia were symbolised by flags dances and victorious feasts.
The Giong Festival is held annually in Phu Dong commune from the 6 th to the 12 th day of the fourth lunar month to commemorate Saint Giong, one of the immortal quartets in the Vietnamese legends.