Hoa Lu festival is held annually on the 8th -10th of March of the lunar calendar in Truong Yen, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh with the purpose of commemorating the two kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh. Activities include water procession at Truong Yen water station located on Hoang Long river and worship at the two temples of King Dinh and King Le.
In 2019 Hoa Lu festival falls on April 12th – 14th.
In 2020 Hoa Lu festival falls on March 31th – April 2nd.
In 2021 Hoa Lu festival falls on April 19th – 21st.
The festival commences with a procession led by a group of young boys disguised as cowherds, each of whom is wearing a red turban, brown leggings and a piece of blue cloth around his waist and holding a reed flag. Another boy playing the role of Dinh Bo Linh is carried by them on a palanquin across the Hoang Long River to Uy Vien village where various dances are performed around the palanquin following the drum beat and flag signals. At the end of the morning Dinh Bo Linh is carried back to Truong Yen where the traditional games and cultural activities of the festival commence.
