Duong Van Thai, Secretary of Bac Giang Provincial Party Committee, presents the certificate recognizing Xuong Giang Festival as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage. (Photo: Dong Thuy/VNA)

The historical and cultural festival is held annually in Bac Giang city in early spring, on January 6 and 7 of the lunar calendar, to commemorate the historic victory of Chi Lăng-Xương Giang in 1427.

In his address, Dang Dinh Hoan, chairman of Bac Giang city’s People’s Committee, said the Xuong Giang battle site and the festival are part of the cultural identity of the northern region and represent the culture of ethnic people in the locality. This is the first festival in Bac Giang city honored as a national cultural heritage.

A special art program was held  following the  ceremony.

597 years ago, Xuong Giang witnessed a decisive battle in which a Lam Son insurgent army destroyed 100,000 Ming troops, ending 20 years of rule by the Ming Dynasty.

To celebrate the victory, in 1428 after ascending the throne, King Le Loi held a festival to honor the army. Since then the Xuong Giang festival has become a big annual event.