Heroic performance of the army gathering on the Luc Dau River

The warships gathered at Luc Dau Giang.

On the morning of October 13, at Luc Dau River in front of Kiep Bac Temple (Tran Hung Dao Ward, Hai Phong City), the Organizing Committee of the 2025 Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival organized a military gathering performance on Luc Dau River - a unique and grandiose ceremony, recreating the heroic military gathering atmosphere of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and the army and people of Dai Viet in the resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol invaders in the 13th century.

From early morning, both banks of the Kiep Bac River were filled with flags and flowers, the sound of drums, gongs, and cheers echoed through the mountains and forests. More than 5,000 people participated in the parade, including residents of the Van Giang and Dong Trieu ( Quang Ninh ) rivers, Kien An (Hai Phong), along with 50 procession boats, 400 students of the Nhat Nam martial arts school, 100 honor guards from Tran Hung Dao ward, dragon and unicorn dance teams from the two villages of Duoc Son and Van Yen, and thousands of people and tourists from all over.

The boat troupe performed a battle on the river, reenacting the military gathering and parade to show off the resistance force of the Tran Dynasty army and people in the past. (Photo: VNA)

The entire Luc Dau river space is dyed in the red color of divine flags, festival pennants, and brilliant lights - symbols of the immortal Dong A spirit.

The meeting on Luc Dau River consists of three major themes: Dong A Heroic Spirit - Luc Dau Heroic Spirit - Triumphant Song. Each part is a vivid chapter of history, associated with the glorious feats of arms of the Tran Dynasty's army and people.

The opening part of "Dong A Heroic Spirit" is a display of force, with hundreds of Nhat Nam martial arts students performing traditional martial arts, sticks, and swords on the shore, demonstrating the martial spirit and self-discipline of the Dai Viet people.

Dragon dance at the show.

On the river, three fleets of boats from Van Giang, Dong Trieu and Kien An simultaneously headed to Luc Dau Giang intersection - the confluence of six rivers - creating a majestic scene, symbolizing the "mountains and waters converging" of Dai Viet's mountains and rivers.

The pounding of drums and the resounding gongs combined with the traditional music stirred up the spirit of the army and people preparing for battle.

When the sails were raised high, the army of golden, red and green dragons danced on the waves, the whole space of Kiep Bac seemed to be filled with the vitality of a glorious time.

The warships converged at the Luc Dau Giang junction in the first battle.

Each procession boat is decorated like an ancient warship, with sacred flags, weapons, crossbows, and shining spears - symbolizing the strength of unity and indomitable spirit of the nation.

Next, the theme “Luc Dau’s heroic spirit” recreates the historic military gathering at Van Kiep in 1285 - where Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan gathered 200,000 troops to prepare for the second resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol army. Two fleets of boats approached the stage, crossing each other with the sound of “Sat That” resounding in the sky, recreating the spirit of the Tran Dynasty’s army.

On the shore, martial artists performed stick and sword fighting, dragon and lion dances, alternating with the sound of war drums and cheers of soldiers. This heroic scene made viewers feel as if they were back in the war-torn times of Dong Bo Dau, Chuong Duong, Tay Ket, and Bach Dang - where the names of Saint Tran and Dai Viet generals and soldiers made glorious achievements.

The flag dance is skillful.

The final part of “Triumph Song” ends with the third boat festival - the scene of warships returning in triumph, celebrating the Bach Dang victory in 1288.

The pounding of drums, the resounding shouts of the army and people combined with the heroic music, depicting the image of the National Duke - Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan - as if still appearing in the sky and water of Luc Dau.

Panoramic view of the area along the banks of the Luc Dau Giang River during the big festival.

On the shore, incense smoke billowed, flags fluttered, thousands of people unanimously offered their gratitude to Saint Tran - the outstanding national hero, who left behind the admonition "to spare the people's strength as a plan to deepen the roots and maintain the foundation".

According to the Organizing Committee, the military gathering ceremony on Luc Dau River is one of the most important highlights of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival, restored in 2006 based on ancient documents and folk materials.

Every year, the ceremony is expanded in scale, enhancing the performance value, both spiritual and a unique cultural and artistic activity, expressing gratitude to ancestors, while fostering love for the homeland and national pride for today's generations.

According to Hai Phong Newspaper

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