Commemoration of Hung Kings' Ancestral Anniversary in Dai Loc homeland

The sacred and reverent atmosphere of the festival. Photo: HOANG LIEN

This year, the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony in Dai Loc was held on the evening of April 17th (the 9th day of the third lunar month), with the participation of current and former leaders of Dai Loc district, communes/towns, and a large number of people. For decades, the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony has been solemnly held at the Truong An Memorial Temple, a landmark bearing the cultural and historical significance of Dai Loc.

The Truong An Memorial Temple was built between 1993 and 1995 on Truong An Hill (Truong An village, Dai Quang commune, Dai Loc district). This is a high hill located next to provincial road DT609, with the winding Vu Gia River on one side.

Every year, the Party Committee, government, and people of Dai Loc choose this place to hold the Ancestor Commemoration Ceremony to express gratitude for the merits of the Hung Kings and other esteemed ancestors who have awakened national pride in every citizen of Dai Loc.

This is because Truong An Hill was once one of the important strongholds of the US-backed regime (Thuong Duc - Truong An - Ai Nghia), associated with the resounding victories of our army and people.

The construction of this site into a complex of memorial temples, gardens, ancestral worship areas, and martyrs' memorials holds both historical and profound spiritual significance. The memorial temple also includes an area for ancestral tablets of all the families in the district, a stele commemorating doctoral graduates from Dai Loc, and a list of martyrs from 18 districts/towns and those who died in Dai Loc.

The grand ceremony commemorating the Hung Kings' death anniversary features ancient rituals. Photo: HOANG LIEN

Every year, no matter where they are, many people from Dai Loc gather at Truong An Memorial Temple to offer incense and remember their ancestors.

Besides traditional ceremonies, the annual Ancestor Commemoration Day also features cultural and artistic activities, poetry writing competitions, rice cake wrapping competitions, and quizzes about Lac Hong culture…

According to tradition, the program begins with a procession of palanquins carrying offerings to pay tribute to the Hung Kings from 18 communes/towns. Leading the procession is the honor guard carrying the national flag and ceremonial banners, followed by the ceremonial music band, youth carrying ceremonial banners and palanquins with offerings, and delegations of district and commune/town leaders…

Offerings were arranged around the memorial area, accompanied by the sounds of drums, gongs, and ceremonial music. The ceremonial band and the ritual committee conducted the ceremony in the traditional style, lasting for many hours. The eulogy praised the merits of the 18 Hung Kings who founded and defended the nation, and the merits of the ancestors who protected the country and its borders. At the end of the ceremony, delegates offered incense to commemorate the Hung Kings, meritorious ancestors, and heroic martyrs.

According to Mr. Dang Van Ky, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dai Loc district, the locality strives to ensure that the annual festival is organized meticulously and safely, with solemn and dignified ceremonies that have a deep sense of community.

The festival harmoniously combines traditional and modern folk cultural activities. It is also an opportunity for everyone to reflect and feel the sacredness of their ancestral land. Through this, it contributes to the preservation and promotion of cultural values and traditional rituals, strengthening community and national unity.

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