The Con Son – Kiep Bac Autumn Festival in Hai Duong province, one of thelargest of its kind in the north of Vietnam, will take place fromSeptember 8-13 (from the 15th to the 20th day of the eighth lunarmonth).

The festival is organised at the Con Son – Kiep Bac relicsite, which is closely associated with the life and cause of TranQuoc Tuan (or Tran Hung Dao), one of the most revered figures inVietnam’s history for his leading role in the country’s victory overMongolian invaders in the 13th century.

The annual event is to commemorate the hero, who passed away on the 20th day of the eight lunar month in 1300.

This year, an array of traditional rituals will be organised such as aseal opening ceremony at Kiep Bac temple; a ceremony praying for peace; aritual procession, and a commemoration of the hero in Mam Xoi mount.

Other cultural activities like water puppetry, wrestlingand rice cooking competitions, and boat races are also expected toattract much interest.

Con Son – Kiep Bac isthe site of a defence line built at the end of the 13th century toprotect the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. It witnessed important battlesbetween the Tran dynasty (1226 - 1400) army and the Yuan-Mongolinvaders.

Con Son also saw the pureand upright life of the Great Man of Culture of the World Nguyen Trai(1380-1442), one of Vietnam 's most famous poets and writers.

Con Son-Kiep Bac was recognised as a national heritage in 1962 and a special national heritage in 2012.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised Con Son-KiepBac spring and autumn festivals as the national intangible culturalheritage in 2013.-VNA