Kiep Bac festival is celebrated in memory of Tran Hung Dao, who drove out the Mongols in the 13th century. It takes place on the 15th-20th days of the 8th lunar month in Kiep Bac (Chi Linh, Hai Duong).
At the beginning of the festival, there is a ceremony of incense offering; in the past, senior mandarins were sent by the Royal Court to attend the ceremony. There is also a boat race, a re-enactment of the Bach Dang river battle where Yet Kieu and Da Tuong generals were known for their military talent (they are worshipped in the temple). There exist many forms of the people’s Taoist observances, i.e. horoscope, mediums, sorcery; it was believed that the Tran Hung Dao genie had to exorcise power. People go on pilgrimages to historic vestiges: a temple, tomb, and secular banyan at the foot of Duoc Son mountain.
