The festival of Gia Village in Yen Son Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi is annually held on March 10 according to the lunar calendar to honour General Ly Phung Man who helped King Ly Nam De (542) defeat the invaders and built the country of Van Xuan.

For years, the festival is one of the most famous ones, including the Dam Race Festival and Thay Pagoda’s Festival,  in the Doai area, for its unique procession which has the participation of about 500 men. The procession is divided into 22 groups who wear different costumes and carry flags, drums, an altar, a palanquin and parasols.
The procession starts at Quan Gia and travels along the village’s dike to Van Chi where the rite of procession is held solemnly, then returns to Quan Gia. The procession participants reenact the battle against the invaders of General Ly Phung Man.

With distinctive cultural features, Gia Village’s festival attracts a large number of visitors.

By Viet Cuong