Thánh Gióng


Thánh Gióng, also known as Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, Ông Gióng and Xung Thiên Thần Vương is a mythical folk hero of Vietnam's history and one of The Four Immortals. According to the legend, Gióng was a boy who magically grew in size to be a giant hero and rode on an iron horse leading the Văn Lang kingdom to victory against northern invaders. Thus, he is considered the first anti-invasion hero of the Vietnamese.
The folk hero was a popular subject for nationalist poets, such as Cao Bá Quát who wrote an epic poem to Thánh Gióng in the 19th Century. Today Thánh Gióng features with other legendary figures such as Kinh Dương Vương, Âu Cơ, Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh, in elementary school texts.

Story

Background

Between 1220-1225BC, the setting occurred during the 6th King Hung Dynasty - Hung King where a war wages with the invading An tribe.
The Saint Giong Festival has been held since the defeat against the An, and it officially became a national holiday in the 11th century during the dynasty of King of Lý Thái Tổ, the founder of the Ly Dynasty.

Heritage

Honoring

Thanh Giong also known as Saint Giong

Location

Usually celebrated at Phu Dong village, Gia Lâm District, Hanoi on April 4 on Lunar calendar every year

Feature

The Celebration tributes the hero who saved the country that stood against the army invaders.

Celebration

People have to prepare their performance for this festival from 1 st of third lunar to 5th fourth lunar month. On the 6th of Fourth lunar month,the festival begins with the ceremony of praying the weather. On April 7, villagers bring trays of vegetarian food to recreate the moment villagers who contributed food to Saint Giong. The festival continues the ritual until April 12.