Commemorating Hung Kings in the new era of the nation.

March arrives, bringing with it gentle breezes and the breath of late spring, and it is also the time when the hearts of every Vietnamese person eagerly turn towards their ancestral land of Phu Tho. In the endless flow of time, there are values that never grow old, symbols that never fade, and the Hung Kings Commemoration Day is one such symbol. More than just a historical memory, the Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a sacred milestone that awakens patriotism, a resounding call to arms for every generation of the Lac Hong descendants.

Báo Hòa Bình•04/04/2025

The palanquin is being carried to Hung Temple.

For generations, Vietnamese people have lived with the belief that they are descendants of the Hung Kings. The legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co is not just a fairy tale, but a thread that connects millions of hearts in a sacred belief about their origins. Therefore, Hung Kings' Commemoration Day is not just a ceremony, but a cultural reunion of the nation, a spiritual meeting point for all Vietnamese people, whether at home or abroad.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day becomes even more meaningful in the context of Vietnam entering a new era of development – the aspiration to become a powerful nation. Amidst these changes, the people need a cultural anchor, a common symbol to retain a sense of belonging, and the Hung Kings Commemoration Day is precisely such a focal point.

On the sacred Nghia Linh peak, the incense offering ceremony can leave one speechless before the space of history, before an atmosphere not only permeated with the scent of incense but also overflowing with patriotism. In Phu Tho , there are not only processions and incense offerings, but also Xoan singing, folk games, and elaborate feasts of banh chung and banh giay (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) – all creating a profound and enduring cultural symphony.

Lion and dragon dance performance at the Hung Temple Festival. Photo: Ngoc Bich

Not only Phu Tho, but many localities throughout the country have proactively organized activities commemorating the Ancestor's Day, expanding the space for remembering ancestors to everyone. For Vietnamese people abroad, whether in Europe, America, or Asia, the image of the Ancestor's Day becomes even more radiant, serving as a cultural link between generations and their motherland, Vietnam.

Today, Hung Kings Commemoration Day has become a space for dialogue between tradition and modernity. Hung Kings festivals, online platforms for historical education , creative videos on TikTok, cultural podcasts, and educational programs integrating national culture into schools – all are evidence that Hung Kings Commemoration Day is being renewed, innovated, and spread in a vibrant way.

In the current process of administrative boundary mergers, where many familiar names are changing, and where the community needs a spiritual connection, the Hung Kings Commemoration Day is the most enduring link. The Hung Kings Commemoration Day is an expression of patriotism, a yearning to conquer the future, and gratitude for the common origins of the entire nation. It helps us reflect on the path we have traveled, to understand that each successful step we take today is a continuation of the sweat and blood of generations of our ancestors.

As our eyes turn towards Nghia Linh at sunset, we realize that: The name of tomorrow may change, but the ancestral land and the spirit of our forefathers will remain unchanged forever. Among the reverent crowd turning towards the source, there is me, there is you, there is us – those who are living for Vietnam today and moving forward towards the bright future of our country tomorrow.

Comment (0)