The Tich Dien Doi Son Festival (King's Ploughing Festival), which was initiated more than 1,000 years ago to promote agriculture, has been restored in northern Ha Nam Province.

Thousands people have flocked to Doi Son Commune, Duy Tien District, on February 1 to witness buffaloes ploughing the first furrows for the new year, wishing for bumper harvests, and a prosperous life.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan applauded the province's idea to restore the festival to retell historical stories and encourage farmers in production.

The festival was launched with a drum performance by a team of drummers from Doi Tam Village which is well-known for making drums.

Besides various rituals, the festival also included colourful sports and cultural activities, particularly a buffalo-decorating contest.

According to historical books, in 987, the first king of the Le Dynasty, Le Dai Hanh, came to Doi Son to plough fields with an aim of encouraging farmers to work hard and extending agriculture. The event then became a fine tradition in springs during the following dynasties.