Hung Kings' Temple Festival

The Hùng Temple Festival is the largest among the traditional festivals of Phú Thọ as well as the festivals of the Vietnamese nation. During these days, people from all over the country flock to Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, Hy Cương Commune, Việt Trì City, to collectively honor the Hùng Kings. Additionally, it is an occasion for gathering, celebrating the prosperity of the Vietnamese lineage, and serving as a symbol of community spirit, reminding the Vietnamese people to unite in building an increasingly prosperous nation.

The ceremonial part of this festival is held with great solemnity and grandeur, attended by central government officials and prominent local dignitaries. The ceremony begins when the music of the eight-tone traditional ensemble starts playing, and the chief officiant recites a prayer before the altar of the Hùng Kings. Each recitation is followed by a resounding drum and gong, after which the ceremonial procession advances to the front hall, performs a kneeling and bowing ritual, and then retreats.

Participating in the ceremonial part, you will witness the vibrant spectacle of the Hùng Temple Festival, featuring processions of ornate palanquins adorned with red lacquer and gold leaf, colorful flags, flowers, and ceremonial umbrellas, carried by young men and women from the village.

Key rituals in the ceremonial part:

• 1st to 5th of the 3rd lunar month: Incense-offering ceremonies by representatives from districts and towns near the temple.
• 6th of the 3rd lunar month: Commemoration Ceremony for Lạc Long Quân, the National Ancestor, and Incense-offering Ceremony to honor Mother Âu Cơ.
• 7th of the 3rd lunar month: Localities conduct the Palanquin Procession Ceremony to the Hùng Temple.
• Main festival day, 10th of the 3rd lunar month: Incense-offering ceremonies at relics honoring the Hùng Kings and notable historical figures across Phú Thọ Province.

The incense-offering ceremony is performed at the bas-relief statue of “Uncle Hồ speaking with officers and soldiers of the Vanguard Army Division.”

The competitions held on the 8th and 9th of the 3rd lunar month, such as the highly engaging sticky rice dumpling (bánh chưng) cooking contest and rice cake pounding (bánh dày) contest, as well as the boat racing competition on Văn Lang Park Lake, attract a great deal of attention from visitors. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere, you definitely cannot miss these exciting activities.