Hai Phong "gathers troops" on Luc Dau River

On October 13, within the framework of the Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival 2025, in Tran Hung Dao ward, Hai Phong city, the performance "Gathering troops on Luc Dau river" was held, a ritual with the typical features of this traditional festival.

The performance recreates the military gathering and parade of the Tran Dynasty, demonstrating the forces preparing for resistance against the Yuan-Mongol invaders in the 13th century, under the command of Duke Tran Quoc Tuan.

This year, the military festival mobilized more than 5,000 people from Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province, with over 50 fishermen's boats, 400 Nhat Nam martial arts students, 100 Tran Hung Dao ward honor guards and a traditional festival drum ensemble.

The majestic fleet of warships reenacts the meeting of troops on the Luc Dau River.

The military parade consists of 3 parts with 3 themes: "Dong A Heroic Spirit", "Luc Dau Heroic Spirit" and "Triumphing Song". In the first part "Dong A Heroic Spirit", on the shore there are performances by students of Nhat Nam martial arts school, on the river there are warships sailing through the waves amidst the sound of drums and cheers of the participants.

The second part, "The Heroic Spirit of Luc Dau", recreates the army gathering and victory of Van Kiep in 1285, ending the second resistance war against the Yuan-Mongol.

Part three "Triumph Song" summarizes the resistance war, praising the achievements of General Tran Hung Dao.

Martial arts students of Nhat Nam sect perform at the military festival.

On the shore, martial arts teams, stick teams, dragon and unicorn teams performed in unison to the urging sound of drums; on the river, officers and soldiers on warships celebrated their victory to the sound of drums and cheers, creating a heroic scene imbued with the spirit of the mountains and rivers, and the spirit of the Vietnamese race.

It is known that the performance Hoi Quan on Luc Dau River was restored by Hai Duong province (old) in 2006, based on ancient books and field documents adapted into literary and artistic scripts, and held annually during the Con Son - Kiep Bac autumn festival.

This is the first time this special scene has been organized on a large scale since Hai Duong province merged with Hai Phong city (July 2025).

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Chuyen-dong-van-hoa/hai-phong-hoi-quan-tren-song-luc-dau-i784491/