Hung Kings Festival in Vietnam

The Day

The Hung Kings Festival, known as "Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương" in Vietnamese, is observed annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month. It is a public holiday in Vietnam dedicated to the Hung Kings, who are considered the founding fathers of the nation.

History

According to Vietnamese legend, the first Hung King was Kinh Dương Vương, who founded the first nation in what is now North Vietnam called Văn Lang. His lineage, spanning 18 generations of Hung Kings, is believed to have ruled Vietnam from 2879 B.C. until around 258 B.C. The festival venerates these ancestral kings and pays homage to their contribution to Vietnamese civilization.

Traditions

During the festival, various traditional ceremonies take place across Vietnam:

• Ancestral Worship: People visit temples and shrines dedicated to the Hung Kings for worship rituals.
• Pilgrimage: Many make a pilgrimage to Nghia Linh Mountain in Phu Tho Province, where the main temple complex—Den Hung—is located.
• Offerings: Traditional offerings include incense, flowers, five-fruit trays, and specialties such as "banh chung" (square sticky rice cake) and "banh giay" (round sticky rice cake).
• Cultural Activities: Folk games, lion dances, human chess matches, and other cultural performances are held.

What People Do

On this day:

1. Families prepare special dishes as offerings for worship.
2. People flock to local temples or partake in processions.
3. Villages hold community events including music and poetry recitals.
4. Nationwide ceremonies are broadcasted on television for everyone to witness.

The Hung Kings Festival reflects deep respect for ancestors in Vietnamese culture and underscores its significance as a symbol of national unity and heritage preservation.