Spreading the sounds of our ancestral roots in the heart of our homeland.

The 2026 Street Folk Culture Festival, themed "Sounds of the Ancestral Roots," is one of the distinctive cultural highlights within the framework of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week. More than just a cultural event, it serves as a bridge connecting the thousand-year past with contemporary life, where the core values ​​of the nation are revived and brilliantly illuminated in an open space, creating a lasting impression on both locals and tourists.

The 2026 Street Folk Culture Festival, themed "Sounds of the Ancestral Roots," is one of the distinctive cultural highlights within the framework of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week. More than just a cultural event, it serves as a bridge connecting the thousand-year past with contemporary life, where the core values ​​of the nation are revived and brilliantly illuminated in an open space, creating a lasting impression on both locals and tourists.

The majestic drumming of the festival, blended with modern melodies, opened a night filled with emotion. More than 1,500 artisans and amateur performers from 148 communes and wards throughout the province gathered, bringing the spirit of the mountains, rivers, and villages to the heart of Viet Tri city.

Phu Tho – a land "surrounded by mountains and rivers, with picturesque landscapes and beautiful waters" – has long been considered a unique cultural gateway in the northern region. With over 800 traditional festivals passed down through generations, every inch of this land is steeped in legends from the dawn of time.

"The Sound of Our Ancestors" is the culmination of those legacies, an opportunity for future generations to pay tribute to their ancestors and honor the unique cultural values ​​that their forefathers painstakingly cultivated.

In the hearts of every Vietnamese person, the symbol of the Dragon Father and Fairy Mother is not just a mythical figure, but a reminder of unity, of sharing a common origin and roots. Going back in time to the ancient land of Minh Nong, the audience witnesses a reenactment of the Hung King Festival teaching the people how to cultivate rice.

The image of the king wading through rice paddies, planting seedlings alongside his people, is not merely a ritual, but a symbol of a philosophy of governing through closeness to the people, valuing agriculture as the root of the nation.

And how could we leave out Xoan singing – a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity? These simple, resonant melodies, echoing through the festival atmosphere, are like prayers for the people's prosperity and well-being, a persistent echo from the past brilliantly reviving in contemporary life.

The evening festival became even more magnificent with the appearance of cultural clusters showcasing the unique characteristics of each region. The symbols of the Tam Dao mountain range were the legendary nine-rooted banyan tree and the Tay Thien National Special Monument.

The "Plowing Race" festival in Hoang An commune, with its spirit of urgency – "run fast, plant fast" to quickly urge troops to fight the enemy – recreates a glorious period of history.

Along with that, the precious gongs resound in the heart of the ancestral land, like a sound connecting heaven and earth with humanity. The Muong artisans carry the epic "Giving Birth to the Land, Giving Birth to the Water" and the witty "Mặt Mẻ" dance, bringing laughter while criticizing bad habits and vices, enriching the spiritual depth of the community.

Adorned with the white blossoms of the Bauhinia flower and the vibrant colors of the peach blossoms, the streets are filled with diverse colors and rhythms. The Keng Loong rhythm of the Thai ethnic group, the Hmong flute music calling out to friends, and the coming-of-age ceremony of the Dao Tien people create a multifaceted picture, integrating but not dissolving.

The unique aspect of this year's festival is the skillful integration of ancient values ​​and the aspirations of the ancestral land. Alongside the majestic symbol of the ancient village communal house are images of factories and towering industrial chimneys, a testament to Phu Tho's breakthrough in the new era.

The Trò Trám Festival, with its performance of "The Four Occupations of the People," not only evokes the four occupations of the feudal era—scholar, farmer, craftsman, and merchant—but also conveys a message about respecting professions and building a sustainable life.

Meanwhile, the Tug-of-War (seated tug-of-war) ritual – a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage – exemplifies the martial spirit and the strength of unity among the people of the riverine region.

As the parade concluded with the song "Together We Light Up," the echoes of the evening lingered deeply in the hearts of every participant. The "Sounds of Our Roots" street festival had fulfilled its mission as a bridge connecting generations, where lessons about patriotism and gratitude were conveyed in the most vivid and relatable way.

The convergence of 18 cultural clusters in this year's festival not only affirms the richness and diversity of Phu Tho province's heritage, but also serves as a reminder of the responsibility to preserve the "soul of the nation" for generations to come.

Those sounds, whether drums, gongs, or the melodies of Xoan and Van singing, will forever remain a solid spiritual foundation, enabling the people of the ancestral land to confidently move forward on their journey of integration and development.

Photo credit: Hong Nhung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/lan-toa-thanh-am-nguon-coi-giua-long-dat-to-253468.htm