Thousands of people gathered at Dong Ky Village, Bac Ninh Province, to participate in the local Firecracker Festival.

The traditional firecracker festival on the 4th to the 6th day of the first lunar month. This year, it was held on February 11.

The festival was first held to honour General Thien Cuong who helped the legendary Hung Kings fight against invaders and was later considered the tutelary god of the village. After winning the fight, the general celebrated their victory with two huge firecrackers.

Ever since the government banned the use of firecrackers, local people have made firecracker models to perform the ritual. The two firecrackers this year measure 5.8m and 6m long with diameter of one metre.

The ritual was recognised as intangible national heritage on January 19.

Hundreds of villagers, mostly single men, will carry the firecrackers and support the procession. Four respected elders were selected as four generals to perform the ritual.

Four elders selected as four generals to perform ritual

Firecrackers are carried along the streets

Thousands of people surround the firecrackers

Two groups of young men chosen to open the path and stir up the atmosphere

Four elders changed into different clothes, they perform dances while being carried on the street