HÀ NỘI — The Hai Bà Trưng Temple Festival in Hà Nội’s outskirt Mê Linh District has officially received the title ‘National Intangible Cultural Heritage’.

The title was awarded to the festival at its opening ceremony on Wednesday or the 6th day in the first month of the Lunar New Year to mark the 1,978th anniversary of the Hai Bà Trưng (Two Trưng Sisters) Uprising at the temple, a special national historical relic in the city.

The Chairman of Mê Linh District People’s Committee Đoàn Văn Trọng, said local people and authorities were happy and proud to receive the title.

“In the future, we, the authorities and people in Mê Linh District, vow to continue to preserve and promote the cultural values as well as the history of the festival to deserve the great merit of the two national heroine sisters Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị”, said the official.

According to Mê Linh District People’s Committee, the special national historical Hai Bà Trưng temples annually receive millions of visitors from across the country to conduct spiritual activities and enjoy cultural activites at the festival.

Prominent among delegates at the ceremony were Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh, Deputy Prime Minister Trịnh Định Dũng and former Vice President Nguyễn Thị Doan.

On the sixth day of the second lunar month in AD40, Trưng sisters led a mass uprising against Chinese Han invaders to reclaim national independence after more than 200 years of foreign rule.

After defeating the invaders, Trưng Trắc became Queen. Three years later, the Han army returned and defeated the Trưng sisters and their army, after which the sisters killed themselves by jumping into the Hát Giang River.

The uprising has gone down in Vietnamese history as a demonstration of the nation’s strength and patriotism, as well as the crucial role of Vietnamese women in national defence.

The festival comprises several rituals such as incense offering, a parade and folk performances. It will last until today, or the 8th day in the first lunar month. — VNS