Sacred origins of the nation

For thousands of years, the worship of Hung Kings has become a spiritual thread connecting generations of Vietnamese people to their national origins. Every year in the third lunar month, millions of descendants of Lac and Hong make a pilgrimage to the Hung Temple Historical Site to offer incense and commemorate the Hung Kings, expressing gratitude to their ancestors who contributed to the founding and preservation of the nation. The journey to Hung Temple is not only a return to one's roots, but also a sacred connection with traditional beliefs and the spirit of the land – where the essence of the nation has been preserved through generations.

The ceremonial axis leads into the courtyard of the Festival Center - Hung Temple Historical Site.

A journey to the sacred land

In the hearts of every Vietnamese person, the Hung Kings worship belief holds a special place in their spiritual life. Looking back at the nation's history of nation-building and defense, it is clear that the Hung Kings worship belief has formed, developed, and been deeply intertwined with the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people for thousands of years. It is not only reflected in cultural life but also becomes a moral principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," expressing the gratitude of the Vietnamese people towards their ancestors who contributed to the founding and development of the nation.

Originating from the sacred land of Nghia Linh, this belief gradually spread throughout the villages of the Northern Delta, continuing through the Central region and reaching many areas of the Southern region. Many localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong , Khanh Hoa... have temples dedicated to Hung Kings, where solemn ceremonies and rituals are held annually. Not only present throughout Vietnam, the Hung Kings worship belief has also followed Vietnamese people living abroad, spreading to many countries around the world, becoming a sacred spiritual connection between the Vietnamese community and their homeland and national origins.

Ms. Vu Phuong Dung (Viet Tri City), currently living and working in South Korea, shared: “Although I live far away, every year during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, I and my family arrange time to return to Vietnam to participate in the festival. For me, this is not only an opportunity to show respect to our ancestors but also a chance to connect with my homeland, meet relatives, and feel the atmosphere of the traditional festival. Every time I set foot in Hung Temple, I feel an indescribable sense of pride and emotion, as if I am returning to the embrace of my roots.”

Not only does the Hung Kings worship tradition attract Vietnamese people, but it also makes a strong impression on international visitors. Sebastian Meyer, a tourist from Stuttgart (Germany), expressed his delight: “This is my second time visiting Hung Temple. The scenery here is beautiful, and the festive atmosphere is very special. I feel honored to be here during this important Vietnamese festival. What impressed me most was the sight of people from all over gathering at Hung Temple with their families, sincerely offering incense to their ancestors. I felt the tradition of unity and solidarity of the Vietnamese people through many generations.”

As the highest expression of ancestor worship, the Hung Kings worship tradition reflects the distinctive cultural identity of the Vietnamese people: gratitude towards the Hung Kings and their ancestors who contributed to the founding of the nation. In the spiritual consciousness of the Vietnamese people, the Hung Kings are not only the first kings who founded the country of Van Lang and established the first villages, but are also revered as the progenitors of the nation.

The land of Phu Tho is rich in legends and myths about the Hung Kings era. Legends about Saint Giong, Son Tinh, Thuy Tinh, folk festivals such as the procession of the King to the village for Tet, the procession of the Princess, King Hung teaching the people how to cultivate rice, the Xoan singing festival... are evidence that Phu Tho - the cradle of the Vietnamese nation - is a treasure trove of folk culture preserving the historical imprint of the Hung Kings era.

Behind the legend lies a historical element. The Hung Kings worship belief is a process of intertwined historicization and mythologization. The system of archaeological sites such as Son Vi, Phung Nguyen, Lang Ca, Xom Ren, Go Mun, and the artifacts found around Hung Mountain, such as ceremonial staffs, bronze drums, axes, arrowheads, etc., clearly show the ancient Van Lang state - the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilization.

UNESCO's recognition of "The Hung Kings Worship Belief in Phu Tho" as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012 affirmed the profound value of this belief in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. This is not only a source of pride but also a great responsibility for present and future generations in preserving and promoting the fine traditions of their ancestors.

Pilgrims visit Hung Temple.

Keeping the flame of faith alive for thousands of years.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there are 1,417 relics dedicated to Hung Kings and other figures from the Hung Dynasty nationwide. These relics, along with their rituals and festivals, are spread throughout the three regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam. Phu Tho province alone has 345 relics associated with villages dedicated to Hung Kings worship. Among them, the Hung Temple National Special Historical Relic Site is the largest center for the practice of Hung Kings worship in the country.

Comrade Pham Tien Dat - Director of the Hung Kings Historical Relic Site - affirmed: “Recognizing the role and significance of the Hung Kings worship belief in the flow of traditional culture, Phu Tho province has done a good job of preserving and promoting the value of the heritage, educating the tradition of patriotism, and instilling deep gratitude to the Hung Kings and our ancestors who contributed to building and defending the nation. For the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week in the year of the Snake 2025, the Hung Kings Historical Relic Site has renovated and beautified the infrastructure and landscape of the relic site to create the best conditions to welcome visitors from all over, contributing to preserving and spreading this unique cultural value.”

Besides the solemn incense offering ceremony, the Hung Kings Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival is also highlighted by many unique folk cultural activities. Traditional rituals such as: palanquin processions, Xoan singing, bronze drum performances, rice cake pounding competitions, and sticky rice cake wrapping... are recreated authentically, creating a cultural space rich in national identity. The combination of sacred beliefs and ancient customs has made the festival not only an occasion to express gratitude for the merits of ancestors but also an event with profound cultural value, connecting generations of Vietnamese people to remember their roots.

Comrade Nguyen Dac Thuy - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized: Throughout history, the Hung Kings worship belief has become a spiritual anchor, a belief in the sacredness and mystery of ancestors, enabling the Vietnamese people to strengthen national unity, work together to overcome natural disasters and foreign invaders, and protect the country's borders.

“The spiritual strength of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day is like a call from the heart of every descendant of Lac and Hong, turning towards their origins, towards the Fatherland with the sacred yet familiar word 'compatriots.' There is no better way to express gratitude for the merits of our ancestors than to preserve and develop the legacy passed down from our forefathers to new heights. The Hung Kings Commemoration Day is also an opportunity for the descendants of Lac and Hong to turn towards the Ancestral Land, where the sacred energy of the rivers and mountains converges, to respectfully light incense to express gratitude for the nation-building efforts of the Hung Kings, and to join hands in preserving and building a prosperous and beautiful country, fulfilling the aspirations of our ancestors,” said Comrade Nguyen Dac Thuy.

It can be said that the Hung Kings worship belief is the thread connecting the past, present, and future; it is a source of pride and a symbol of the unity of the Vietnamese people. This sacred belief will forever endure as an immortal reminder:

"No matter where people go, back and forth"

Remember the Ancestor Commemoration Day on the tenth day of the third lunar month.

Bao Thoa

Source: https://baophutho.vn/thieng-lieng-coi-nguon-dan-toc-231268.htm