(VOvworld)-Thousands of people gathered at Dong Da Hill in Hanoi on February 1 to celebrate the 228^th anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory. In the spring of 1789, Tay Son troops led by King Quang Trung launched a lightening attack and defeated more than 200,000 foreign invaders at Dong Da. The Dong Da Hill Festival, one of the biggest in Vietnam, celebrates patriotism and the heroic tradition of the Vietnamese nation. 

At 6am, Dong Da Hill is packed with pilgrims burning incense to national hero King Quang Trung.

The festival pays respect to ancestors’ merits.

At 9 am, the palanquin procession begins.

Two large palanquins are carried by 60 young men and women.

King Quang Trung’s palanquin.

Queen Ngoc Han’s palanquin.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is among the revelers.

The Festival begins with a drum performance.

A girl attentively watches the performances.

Reenactment of King Quang Trung’s surprise attack against the invaders.

King Quang Trung raised a peach blossom branch and proclaimed that his troops would celebrate Tet (the traditional Lunar New Year Festival) on the 7th day of the lunar year in Thang Long, now Hanoi. He had defeated the enemy 2 days earlier.