Spreading the unique cultural identity of the ancestral land.

As an ancient land, the cradle of Lac Viet culture, and the first capital of Vietnam, Phu Tho currently preserves a rich, diverse, and unique system of cultural heritage unlike anywhere else. This is a valuable resource for the province to become a national center for cultural, ecological, and spiritual tourism , with the highlight being the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the annual Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week, attracting tourists from all over the country and internationally, thereby spreading the unique cultural identity of the Ancestral Land region.

Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the country make pilgrimages to the Hung Temple National Special Historical Site to offer incense and admire the scenery (Phuong Thanh - Archival photo).

Returning to our roots

Every spring, millions of Vietnamese people eagerly make pilgrimages to Phu Tho , the cradle of the Vietnamese nation, to pay tribute to the merits of their ancestors and the Hung Kings who founded the country. For Phu Tho, with the affection, honor, and responsibility of representing the entire nation in overseeing the ancestral shrines and offering incense and worship, the province always meticulously prepares this destination for Vietnamese people living abroad on their journey back to their roots. It is also an opportunity for the province to promote the unique cultural identity of the ancestral land to domestic and international tourists. Therefore, the annual Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week serve as both a pilgrimage to the origins and a unique cultural, ecological, and spiritual tourism "tour."

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in the year of the Snake (2025) will take place from March 29th to April 7th, 2025 (corresponding to the 1st to 10th day of the 3rd lunar month). The Hung Kings Commemoration Day activities will be organized solemnly, respectfully, and reverently according to national cultural traditions, with incense and flower offerings by delegations from the Party, Government , central ministries and agencies, provinces and cities, and a large number of people nationwide. All organizational work has been completed, ensuring that the activities will be solemn, respectful, and communal in nature for the ceremonial part; and the festival activities will showcase the unique cultural identity of the Ancestral Land region.

Xoan singing art has been and continues to be preserved and spread by artisans, representing the unique cultural values ​​of the Phu Tho countryside.

Originating from the ancient land of Phu Tho, the Hung Kings worship tradition has now spread throughout the country. According to preliminary statistics, there are currently over 1,410 relics dedicated to the Hung Kings and related to the Hung Kings era nationwide, spread across all regions from North to South. In Phu Tho province alone, there are more than 340 relics associated with the Hung Kings worship tradition.

To promote the unique cultural identity of the ancestral land during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in 2025, the province established a Press Center (from March 29th to April 7th, 2025), located at the Tourist Reception and Performing Arts Center (within the Hung Kings Temple Historical Site). The province coordinated and supported the provision of information, documents, and images to central and local press reporters nationwide to extensively publicize the activities of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in 2025.

Since 1995, the Hung Kings Commemoration Day has been designated a major national holiday by the Party Central Committee. Subsequently, on April 2, 2007, the National Assembly approved amendments to Article 73 of the Labor Law, granting employees a paid day off on Hung Kings Commemoration Day. In 2025, the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month falls on a Monday (April 7th), so this year's holiday will last three days, from April 5th to April 7th, 2025. This will provide convenient travel time for people nationwide to visit Phu Tho on their journey to connect with their ancestral roots.

Spreading cultural identity

With thorough preparation in terms of infrastructure, security, and a spectacular artistic program, Phu Tho is always ready to welcome compatriots and tourists during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in the year of the Snake 2025. This is an opportunity for Phu Tho to promote and spread the unique cultural identity of the ancestral land. The departments, agencies, and localities in the province ensure that activities during the festival days are harmoniously arranged, showcasing the unique cultural identity of the ancestral land, creating an attractive appeal to people and tourists, and contributing to the widespread dissemination of the historical and cultural values ​​of the land of origin.

Artisans participate in a competition to wrap banh chung and banh giay (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) as part of the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week (Photo courtesy - Phuong Thanh)

The 2025 Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week will be organized with many rich activities to attract tourists to Phu Tho, such as: the opening art program of the 2025 Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week; the Ancestral Land Book Fair; thematic exhibitions introducing documents and artifacts from the Hung King era; cultural camps and exhibitions promoting local products and specialties; folk art and Phu Tho folk song festival; performance of Xoan singing from ancient villages; competition for wrapping and cooking banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and pounding banh giay (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes); Hung King Cup Volleyball Tournament for strong teams; "Returning to the Source" Marathon...

In particular, the highlight of Phu Tho tourism during this year's Hung Kings Commemoration Day is the "Colorful Tourism of Phu Tho in 2025" event, taking place from April 3rd to 7th at Van Lang Park. The event will include various activities to promote and introduce Phu Tho tourism; foster tourism development linkages; and preserve and promote cultural heritage. "Colorful Tourism of Phu Tho" is an invitation for tourists to explore the origins, immerse themselves in nature, and enjoy the unique culture of Phu Tho.

Many cultural and artistic activities are organized during the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week.

During the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in 2025, the provincial tourism industry, in coordination with tourism businesses and travel agencies, launched a series of programs to stimulate demand and attract tourists to Phu Tho, such as opportunities to receive 20-50% discounts on food and accommodation services; free vouchers to experience Xoan singing, drumming, tea picking, making Hung Lo rice noodles, wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), pounding banh giay (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes)... Therefore, a high number of tourists are expected to visit the Ancestral Land. Accommodation businesses in the province have prepared the necessary conditions, renovated rooms and grounds, ensured security, and are ready to welcome tourists. According to statistics, the province currently has 381 accommodation establishments, including 50 hotels and 331 guesthouses that have been assessed as meeting the requirements to serve tourists.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in the year of the Snake (2025) continue to be an opportunity for Phu Tho province to affirm its position as a national center for cultural, ecological, and spiritual tourism. With over 300 festivals, the land of the ancestors is one of the provinces with the most festivals in the country, especially in January. From cities to rural areas, from the plains to the high mountains, each region has its own unique festivals and values, creating the cultural identity of the Ancestral Land. Traditional cultural festivals are ambassadors promoting the land and people of Phu Tho, helping people nationwide, Vietnamese people abroad, and tourists better understand the unique cultural identity of the Ancestral Land.

The Department of Industry and Trade has developed a plan to stabilize the commodity market, assigning distribution units to prepare a good supply of goods for the Hung Kings Commemoration Day to prevent shortages, scarcity, and sudden price increases, in order to serve the people and tourists well; districts, cities, and towns have proactively coordinated with the Hung Kings Historical Relic Site to build, design, and install cultural camps that are rich in traditional culture, creating attractive highlights for people and tourists on their journey to the roots of the Vietnamese nation.

Ngoc Tuan

Source: https://baophutho.vn/lan-toa-ban-sac-van-hoa-doc-dao-vung-dat-to-230159.htm