In Vietnam, drums are a traditional instrument at festivals and weddings. They are also used to announce arrivals to the community, signal when school starts or ends, and accompany musical performances. Depending on the occasion, drums can either create an atmosphere of joyful union or sad separation. When festival drumbeats are played, farmers put on their most beautiful costumes and flock to the festival. Drums have become an indispensable part of Vietnamese community activities. Doi Tam village is famous for drum-making. Located at the foot of scenic Doi Mountain in the northern province of Ha Nam, the craft village has been making drums for more than a thousand years. Le Ngoc Minh, the village chief, said “Our drum making is said to have a 1,000-year history. The founder of the craft was Nguyen Duc Nang. In 987, to welcome King Le Dai Hanh to Doi Tam village to attend a plough ceremony, Nang made a giant drum to present to the King. The drum when played created … [Read more...] about Doi Tam village and the art of drum making
King le dai hanh
Ceremony honouring outstanding blood donors held in Ninh Binh
At the “journey to the Hoa Lu ancient capital” ceremony to honour 100 outstanding blood donors (Photo: VNA) Ninh Binh (VNA) – The National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation and the Ninh Binh province chapter of the Vietnam Red Cross Society held a ceremony on June 7 in Ninh Binh province to honour 100 outstanding blood donors. The event also kicked off a series of activities organised in the framework of the 6th Red Journey, a nationwide blood donation communication campaign. At the “journey to the Hoa Lu ancient capital” ceremony, Bach Quoc Khanh, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, underlined that the World Health Organisation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies chose June 14 as World Blood Donor Day. The day aims to thank voluntary and unpaid blood donors all over the world, he said, adding that in 2017, Vietnam mobilised nearly 1.4 million blood units, 98 … [Read more...] about Ceremony honouring outstanding blood donors held in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh, sleeping beauty has woken up
Ranges of moutains make a natural protective walls for Hoa Lu citadel. (Source: VNA) Ninh Binh (VNA) - For a thousands years Ninh Binh was Vietnam’s best kept secret. Hidden away just a few hours from Hanoi, the rural masterpiece may be small in size and population, but its rugged landscapes offer visitors a massive slice of heaven. In the past 50 years, Ninh Binh has seen more economic development and world recognition more ever than before. Hoa Lu of Ninh Binh became the capital of the Great Viet in the 10th century after Dinh Bo Linh conquered the stagnant warring situation between 12 factions, united them and declared himself Emperor of the Great Viet land. Dinh Tien Hoang became the first Emperor after one thousand years under occupation by the Han Chinese. “Hoa Lu is naturally surrounded by many mountain ranges,” according to historical records. “The mountains and rivers gracefully intertwine, making the region a convenient base camp for both … [Read more...] about Ninh Binh, sleeping beauty has woken up
Ninh Binh marks 1,050th anniversary of Vietnam’s first feudal state
The day saw thousands of visitors flocking to the local historical site of Hoa Lu ancient capital to take part in traditional rituals. The event started with water and palanquin parades and prayers. These activities aimed at honoring Dinh Bo Linh, who founded the Dinh Dynasty in 968 and chose Hoa Lu as his capital, and at praying for favorable weather, bumper harvests and a peaceful life. The water parade on the first day of Hoa Lu Festival Participants were also treated to sports, folk games and other cultural activities, such as tug-of-war games, a rice cooking contest, musical shows, water puppet performances, and an exhibition on Hoa Lu Festival. Under the theme of “the 1,050-year journey of Dai Co Viet State in the flow of history”, the Hoa Lu Festival lasts through April 27. In the late 10th century, Hoa Lu was the capital and the economic, political and cultural center of Dai Co Viet founded by Dinh Bo Linh (968-979), and then the Early Le Dynasty … [Read more...] about Ninh Binh marks 1,050th anniversary of Vietnam’s first feudal state
Numerous events mark 1,050th anniversary of Vietnam’s first feudal state
The highlight will be a ceremony to celebrate the Dai Co Viet establishment and launch Hoa Lu Festival, the largest and most spectacular festival of the province slated for April 24-27 under the theme “The 1050-year journey of Dai Co Viet State in the flow of history”. The province will also hold a wide range of cultural and sport activities and festivals in April, including an art exchange program between Ninh Binh and Asan city (Republic of Korea), Oudomxay (Laos), Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Tuyen Quang provinces among others, a national workshop on role of Dai Co Viet in the country’s history, art and photo exhibitions and Thai Vi Temple and Trang An festivals. An aerial view of Trang An complex in Ninh Binh In 2018, Ninh Binh will publish books on local intangible cultural heritages and socio-economic development of the province from 2015-2018, host the beauty pageant “Miss Hoa Lu” and for the first time, organize a local tourism week … [Read more...] about Numerous events mark 1,050th anniversary of Vietnam’s first feudal state