More often subsumed into the larger Tet Festival, this festival honours the great female general who fought the Chinese in the first century AD and takes place each year in the Hai Ba Trung district.
In 39AD Lady Le Chan, a widow of the local aristocrat, and her Trung Sisters formed an army to revolt against the Chinese yoke. The revolt was briefly successful, and the older sister, Trung Trac, established herself as ruler of an independent state. However, in 43AD, a mere four years later, Chinese armies returned and her forces were routed. It was not until 938AD that the Chinese were expelled from the Red River vicinity (Hanoi and thereabouts) and for this reason, the festivals of Vietnam predominantly follow those of China.
Even so, the festival is a fitting commemoration of Vietnamese bravery, and always falls on the fourth to the sixth day of the first lunar month. The main attractions are the wrestling matches and other traditional sports which take place to entertain the crowds.
Event details can change. Please check with the organisers that the event is happening before making travel arrangements.
