A celebration to commemorate 1,080 years of independence from Chinese domination was held on Saturday at Co Loa Citadel in Hanoi with the participation of many high-ranking officials, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The event was organized by Hanoi authorities, including the People’s Committee, Fatherland Front Committee, and Party Committee, among others, to celebrate the day national hero and former king Ngo Quyen claimed back the peace of Vietnam after over a thousand years of Chinese rule.

Ngo Quyen founded the Ngo dynasty and moved the capital to Co Loa, located on the outskirts of current Hanoi, after he was proclaimed king of the nation in 939.

The former king chose Co Loa as the capital in respect for the previous kings and the ancestry of the nation, according to Associated Professor Tran Duc Cuong.

The event played a crucial role in the country’s history not only for bringing peace and freedom to the people but also for foiling the Chinese’s evil plan of assimilating the Vietnamese.

Defeating the Chinese marked the preservation of Vietnamese traditions and culture, both of which were at risk of disappearing forever.

The Chinese rule, also called “Belonging to the North [China]," began in 111 BC and is considered to have ended in 938 AD as a relatively brief 20-year punitive invasion by the Ming dynasty from 1407 to 1427 is usually excluded.

Despite his great contribution and the people's love, the former king only ruled for six years before passing away at the age of 47 after the country gained full independence and governmental autonomy acknowledged by the surrounding nations.

During the celebration, deputy chairman of Hanoi Ngo Van Quy retold the story of the national hero while also reminding people of the contribution he made for the country.

The celebration emphasized the historical importance of Ngo Quyen both as a national hero and a king, nourishing patriotism among Vietnamese, Quy said in his speech.

Associated Professor Tran Duc Cuong, director of a Vietnamese association studying history, could not hide his happiness to see that the former king was properly commemorated in the celebration, while also expressing his desire that more similar events will be held in the near future so the selfless contributions of the national hero can be well appreciated.

Moreover, the expert hopes that the city is going to build a shrine to Ngo Quyen in Co Loa Citadel.

Other activities of the celebratory event included a performance of Vietnamese traditional drums and a historical re-enactment of Ngo Quyen’s achievements.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!