Street Festival and On-river Activities: the Night of Festival

    After the exciting animation with lion and dragon dances, a great parade by over 3000 people decorated in various forces with colorful costumes started. Life in Bien Hoa during 310 years gradually reappeared in every historical phase: the beginning period with Vietnamese and Chinese inhabitants in large shirts, Chinese dresses and brown loose-fitting blouses; and the forces who greatly contributed to forming Bien Hoa city in integration period such as workers, farmers, students, entrepreneurs, the elderly, women etc.

    A wide range of traditional genres of music and festival performed really attracted audiences. Especially the stilt walkers with lion and dragon dance left most impression. In spite of unexpected weather, the parade continued with aloud colorful lion and dragon dance. All they wished to express was the message on diversity and harmony of ethnic groups’ cultures during 310 years of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai formation and development and show undaunted and hard-working spirit to make the province more beautiful and prosperous.

    In that atmosphere, the audiences were surprise by the extremely sudden program. In addition to music and long line of people, the parade was accompanied by over 300 vehicles including Pedicabs, bikes, cars and motors and so forth. Especially there was also the presence of ancient kinds of motors like vespa, mobilet decorated with flowers. More than 1000 students in uniforms traveled by bikes with flags and flowers. The audiences seemed to go into ecstasy with bustling music and songs and warm festival atmosphere. Many of babies hold by their parents waved their hands to welcome the parade along streets. Mrs. Nguyen Xuan Loc in Hung Dung ward said: “although I live quire far and I am accompanied my kid, I try hard to get access to festival center. I don’t regret my try because it’s very joyful and fascinating here.” Hundreds of policemen and mobile forces have to try their best to prevent the audiences from pouring down the street.

    Right after the streets came to an end, the festival on Dong Nai river started. The boats with twinkling flowers and lanterns surprised the viewers. When the festival drum had been beated, the elderly and leaders conduct “tong phong” ritual, the ceremony to pray for favorable weather, health and prosperity. On the river there was a sparkling and fanciful complex of flower lanterns. The bank was full of people. Joining the crowd, one participant said to us: “The program is so great but it’s too crowded to raise my hands to cheer.” The festival really ended when firework display took place. The festival left unforgettable memory in Bien Hoa and neighboring area dwellers’ mind during culture and sport week to celebrate 310th anniversary of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai formation and development.

(Reported Nguyen Le, Translated by L.H)