Hung Kings Commemoration Day - the sacred spirit of Vietnam

As March arrives, bathed in the gentle sunshine, millions of Vietnamese hearts turn towards a sacred place on Nghia Linh Mountain: the birthplace of the nation.

Hung Kings Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month) is not only a solemn occasion but also a silent yet powerful spiritual current that runs throughout history. It is a day when every Vietnamese person, no matter where they are, reflects on their ancestors and their origins.

No matter where people go, they'll find their way back.

Remember the Ancestor Commemoration Day on the tenth day of the third month.

This simple yet profound folk verse has become ingrained in the consciousness of generations as a gentle yet enduring reminder. And it is from this awareness that the tradition of "Drinking water, remember the source" has become a core moral principle, a red thread running through the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day is not only a historical event but also a special cultural symbol. It lies on the boundary between legend and history, where stories of Lac Long Quan, Au Co, and the hundred eggs are not merely myths but also the way the Vietnamese people interpret their common origin, their spirit of unity, and their sense of community.

Procession of palanquins from communes and wards to the Hung Temple National Special Historical Relic Site (Photo: Ta Toan/VNA)

On September 19, 1954, at the Gieng Temple in the Hung Temple historical site, President Ho Chi Minh instructed the officers and soldiers of the Vanguard Army Division: "The Hung Kings had the merit of founding the nation; we, their descendants, must together preserve it." This statement is not only a reminder but also a sacred continuation between the past and the present. It affirms that the responsibility to protect and develop the country does not belong to any one individual but to the entire nation, from generation to generation.

Especially in the modern context, as society develops and integrates deeply and broadly into the international community, preserving national identity becomes more important than ever. Therefore, the Hung Kings Commemoration Day reminds us that no matter how much we integrate, we remain Vietnamese, carrying the bloodline of Lac Hong within us.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a vivid testament to the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture. Despite the many ups and downs of history, from war to peace, from poverty to development, the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source" has always been present, like an inexhaustible spring. And so, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, we still have a moment to pause – a day to reflect, to remember, to express gratitude. And in that moment, we suddenly realize: we are not just individuals, but a part of a thousand-year-old flow of history.

A tradition that began with the Hung Kings continues unabated in every aspect of life today.

Nguyen Thanh Vu

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/gio-to-hung-vuong-hon-thieng-dat-viet-144955.html