The Nguyen Trung Truc Festival, which pays tribute to national hero Truc, is set to kick off with diverse cultural activities in southern Kien Giang province’s Rach Gia city on Sept 30 evening.

Apart from processions and offerings to the national hero, the festival, to run from Sept 30 to Oct 2, will feature a host of fascinating activities which have started from Sept 27 including exhibitions, southern cuisine stalls and competitions of ornamental plants and animals.

Other highlights are “don ca tai tu” (southern traditional music) performances, Vietnamese martial arts Vovinam tournament and dragon-kylin dances.

Pilgrims and tourists from across the country have flocked to the city several days before the festival begins. Places such as Nguyen Trung Truc temple, Nguyen Trung Truc park and Bai Duong – Lac Hong and Hoa Bien tourist complexes are ready to welcome tourists.

The provincial Transportation Department said it will make sure there will be no traffic congestion during the festive days.

Nguyen Trung Truc (1839–1868) led a major uprising against the French troops in the southern region during the latter half of the 19th century. He was apprehended and executed by the French in Rach Gia, aged 29.