Some 200 artisans from around Hanoi are set to perform old-aged dances at Ly Thai To monument in Hanoi to mark the country’s Independence Day on Sept 2.

The performance will feature the time-honored dances typical of Thang Long – Hanoi. The artisans spent years digging for and reviving the dances, including “mua trong bong” (dances in which young men dressed as women perform with Bong drums), and “mua trong co” (dances with ancient drums).

Intertwined are performances of “hat xam” (the northern region’s folk music, typically performed by street artists for a living), and northern folk music.

“We always want to hold such performances a few times a month to better promote the dances to locals and tourists but the task is quite difficult right now,” said Nguyen Van Bich, chair of the Hanoi Dance Artist Association.

Thang Long is the country’s capital from 1010 to 1788.