With reverence, we offer incense in remembrance of the Hung Kings.
Ten years have passed since she first set foot in Phu Tho on the occasion of the Hung King's Commemoration Day, but Ms. H'Vi Ê ban, Provincial Party Committee member and President of the Provincial Women's Union, still cannot forget the feeling of excitement, anticipation, and pride she felt when she first returned to her ancestral homeland.
Ms. H'Vi Ê recounted that in 2015, she had the honor of being a member of the Dak Nong Provincial leadership delegation that visited the Hung Temple historical site to offer incense during the Hung Temple Festival. In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, she and other members of the delegation successively offered incense at the Lower Temple, Middle Temple, Upper Temple, Well Temple, Thien Quang Pagoda, and other temples.
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Before the ancestral spirits, on behalf of the people of all ethnic groups in Dak Nong province, Comrade Tran Quoc Huy, then Secretary of the Dak Nong Provincial Party Committee, expressed his sincere gratitude for the merits of his ancestors and reported on the outstanding achievements that Dak Nong province had attained in recent years. At the same time, he pledged that the people of all ethnic groups in Dak Nong province would continue to maintain unity and strive to successfully implement political , economic, and social tasks, living up to the merits of their ancestors.
At the Exhibition House showcasing photographic documents and artifacts offered by people nationwide to King Hung (within the Hung Temple Historical Relic Area), the delegation from Dak Nong province attended the ceremony to receive donations and hand over offerings from the province to the Management Board of the Hung Temple Historical Relic Area, organized by the People's Committee of Phu Tho province.
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For the first time participating in the Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony, Dak Nong presented the Hung Kings with a pair of precious vases made of cypress wood, carved with patterns showcasing the unique cultural features of Dak Nong province, such as the N'Trang Long monument, images of artisans performing gong music and using traditional musical instruments, along with a set of six M'nong gongs, expressing the devotion of the people of the Central Highlands to their ancestral land.
“Every March, I am filled with many emotions. Memories of my first time offering incense at Hung Temple with the provincial leadership delegation come alive again. Each of us has our own homeland, and we share a common homeland: our ancestral land. Perhaps that's why, returning to our roots for the first time, I didn't feel strange but rather very familiar. Currently, as the Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union, I regularly encourage women to uphold the spirit of solidarity, always striving to be worthy descendants of the Trung Sisters, the Trieu Sisters, and the Hung Kings, contributing to the nation's entry into a new era – the era of the Vietnamese people's rise,” Ms. H'Vi shared.
Upholding the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," every year, agencies, departments, and localities in Dak Nong province organize pilgrimage delegations to Phu Tho to offer incense at the Hung Temple historical site.
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Each group may visit during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day or at other times, but all share a common feeling of pride and happiness at returning to their ancestral homeland. In particular, no matter how much time passes, the folk songs and proverbs inscribed on the stone tablets along the paths leading to the temples remain vivid. These verses serve as a reminder to every Vietnamese person, no matter where they are or what they do, to remember their national origins and strive to be worthy descendants of the Hung Kings, as President Ho Chi Minh taught: "The Hung Kings built the nation; we, their descendants, must together preserve it."
Ms. Ha Thi Hanh, member of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, said: “Remembering our roots doesn't necessarily mean returning to Phu Tho province and visiting Hung Temple on the anniversary of the Hung Kings' death. Depending on circumstances, each person has their own way of connecting with their roots. For me, it's enough to always have a respectful and grateful heart, remember the contributions of the Hung Kings, be proud of our national traditions, and always strive to do my best in work and life. That is the most profound and best way to connect with our roots.”
Mr. Nguyen Van Chien, from residential group 3, Nghia Trung ward, Gia Nghia city, said that a few years ago, he organized a group of 30 people representing the people of Phu Tho living in Dak Nong to offer incense in remembrance of King Hung on March 10th. The members of the group were all excited and happy about that trip back to their ancestral roots, and they hope to have more trips to return to their homeland.
Mr. Chien shared: "Although I've returned many times, each time I have a different feeling, and I always feel deeply moved and emotional. I believe that every Vietnamese person, no matter where they are or what they do, should dedicate a day to learning about the ancient history, to understand more about King Hung and the history of the nation. Because returning to our roots and remembering the contributions of the Hung Kings in founding the nation is one of the deepest expressions of love for our homeland, 'People have ancestors, just as trees have roots, and rivers have sources.'"
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Preserving the beauty of national culture.
Dak Nong is a place where many people from provinces and cities across the country come to settle and build new lives, including people from Phu Tho. Therefore, every time the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day comes around, the people of Phu Tho set aside their personal affairs to prepare a feast to offer to the Hung Kings, remembering their origins.
In particular, to educate their descendants about national traditions, the Phu Tho Hometown Association in Dak Buk So commune, Tuy Duc district, donated land, contributed labor and resources to build the Temple of King Hung.
According to Mr. Chu Van Chuc, Chairman of the Phu Tho Hometown Association in Dak Buk So commune, in 2017, on the occasion of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month), the Hung Kings' Temple was inaugurated in Hamlet 6 with an area of 250 square meters . Designed in the style of ancient royal architecture, the temple is situated on a high hill, reflecting the majesty and solemnity of the Hung Kings. In addition, to express their reverence, people came to the Hung Kings' Temple in Phu Tho to ask for land, water, and to bring incense burners to worship.
Mr. Chuc informed that, despite living in a new land for many years, the people of Phu Tho who are far from home always preserve the beautiful traditions of the nation. It has become a tradition that on holidays and festivals, especially the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, the Phu Tho Hometown Association always meets and respectfully organizes ancestral worship ceremonies to remember the contributions of the Hung Kings who founded the nation. To ensure the most complete commemoration day, people gather to make banh chung and banh day (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to offer to their ancestors. The rituals are conducted very solemnly and respectfully.
Mr. Chu Anh Chuong, a native of Phu Tho province living in Hamlet 6, Dak Buk So commune, Tuy Duc district, said: “Every year on the anniversary of the Hung Kings' death, we put aside all our work and prepare a feast to offer to the Hung Kings. This is also an opportunity for us to gather, talk, and reminisce about the history of our ancestors who founded the nation for our descendants. Afterwards, we discuss economic matters and the lives of those who have left their hometowns, encouraging each other to overcome difficulties and bring glory to the descendants of the Hung Kings in this land.”
In Quang Tin commune, Dak R'lap district, the shrine dedicated to the Hung Kings is kept clean and solemn by the Phu Tho Hometown Association. Especially on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month each year, it becomes a place where descendants of Phu Tho come together to pay respects to the Hung Kings.
Mr. Le Huu Nghe, Chairman of the Phu Tho Hometown Association in Quang Tin commune, said: “Every year, on the anniversary of Hung Vuong's death, people from Phu Tho currently living in the commune and descendants from all over gather to light incense and offer prayers in remembrance of the Hung Kings. For those of us who live far from home, this is an opportunity to meet, chat, and share stories about the joys and sorrows of life, as well as childhood memories of our hometown.”
The practice of setting up altars and offering incense to commemorate the Hung Kings is a traditional activity of the association. Through this, previous generations always remind their descendants that no matter what they do, they must always think of and remember their homeland. Because it is not only the homeland of the people of Phu Tho but also the sacred origin of all Vietnamese people. The remembrance of the Hung Kings stems from the heart and affection of the children for their national roots.
Mr. Nghe shared: “In the offerings presented to the Hung Kings, there are always indispensable banh chung and banh giay (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes symbolizing heaven and earth), sticky rice, chicken... Especially at the gathering, we also review the traditions and history of the Hung Kings' nation-building, remembering the origins of our people. The Ancestor Commemoration Day is not only an occasion for people to gather and chat to ease their homesickness, but also an opportunity for children and grandchildren to understand and always remember that no matter what they do or where they are, they must remember their roots and their homeland.”
Always remember your roots.
Over the years, on each Hung Kings Commemoration Day, not only the people of Phu Tho but also all the people living in Dak Nong province have turned their thoughts to their roots with practical activities.
Mr. Le Van Minh, from Hamlet 8, Dak Ru Commune, Dak R'lap District, has been living in Dak Nong for many years, having moved from Phu Tho province to establish his life there. Every year during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, his family and other Phu Tho residents in Hamlet 8 organize a feast to offer to the Hung Kings. On this day, in addition to meeting fellow Phu Tho natives, he also invites representatives from other families in the hamlet to share a "unity" meal.
Mr. Minh shared: “As someone born in the land of King Hung, every year on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, I ask all my children and grandchildren from Phu Tho in the village to be present to prepare a meal to offer to the Hung Kings. I always invite representatives from families in other regions to participate in this meal. Because I believe our country has a tradition of unity and fervent patriotism, I hope that all the people in the village will continue to uphold this tradition of unity and work together to build a more prosperous village.”
Mr. Tran Huy Toan, from Hamlet 8, Dak Ru Commune, said: “Before the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, the people from Phu Tho in the hamlet all gather to discuss how to organize the ceremony. On the main day of the commemoration, we dress formally and respectfully, and together prepare a lavish feast with plenty of banh chung (sticky rice cakes), banh giay (rice cakes), local specialties, and especially, families choose the best fruits to offer to King Hung.”
Although not born in Phu Tho, every year on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month (the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day), Mr. Nguyen Van Hung in Nghia Trung ward, Gia Nghia city, prepares banh chung (sticky rice cakes), banh giay (rice cakes), and fruits to offer to his ancestors and the Hung Kings with deep reverence. This is a beautiful cultural tradition passed down through generations in his family.
According to Mr. Hung: "For generations, every time the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day comes around, my family prepares a feast with cakes and fruits to offer to the Hung Kings. I always think that as a younger generation, showing gratitude to the older generation, especially those who have contributed to the country, is something we should do. This is also a way for me to remind my children and grandchildren that no matter what they do or where they are, they must always remember their national roots."
On April 2, 2007, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam approved amendments to Article 73 of the Labor Law, granting employees the right to take a day off with full pay on Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month). Since then, the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month has become a major national holiday, a significant day reflecting the nation's cultural identity.
The Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a traditional activity with educational significance for all Vietnamese people. It affirms patriotism, a reverence for ancestors and origins, and serves as a spiritual driving force contributing to national unity in overcoming difficulties; it strengthens community faith to move towards the future, building a stronger, more prosperous, and more beautiful Vietnam. Like other localities, the people of Dak Nong province always look towards their national origins with deep respect and gratitude.
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nho-ngay-gio-to-mong-10-thang-3-248529.html
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