Hung Kings Commemoration Day - a sacred return to the roots

Procession of palanquins from communes and wards surrounding the Hung Kings Temple Special National Relic Site in Phú Thọ Province. Photo: Thanh Huyền

"Wherever one may travel far or near,

Remember the tenth day of the third lunar month".

The folk verse on the "commemoration day of the shared ancestor" is remembered by every Vietnamese, reflecting thousands of years of history of the nation.

The Vietnamese nation is closely associated with the legend of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, who gave birth to a sac of one hundred eggs, symbolising a shared origin as descendants of dragons and fairies. This legendary period, deeply embedded in history, forms part of the spiritual and cultural life that underpins the nation's identity.

Like an enduring spiritual current flowing through generations, rooted in the hearts of every Vietnamese, this day each year sees people across the country and overseas turn their thoughts toward their origins.

As with many peoples around the world, Vietnamese practise ancestor worship, but Viet Nam is unique in observing a common national death anniversary dedicated to the Hung Kings. The age-old verse serves as a reminder for generations of Vietnamese to remember their roots.

Procession of palanquins from communes and wards surrounding the Hung Kings Temple Special National Relic Site in Phú Thọ Province. Photo: Nguyễn Sản

Each year, as the third lunar month approaches, pilgrims from across the country begin travelling to the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site in Phú Thọ Province well before the main day. They come to offer incense in remembrance of the Hung Kings and the forebears who founded the nation, expanded its territory and defended it against invaders. On the main day itself, not only at the Hung Temple site but also across many localities nationwide, incense-offering ceremonies are held to honour the Hung Kings. Several provinces and cities have invested in building large-scale facilities to serve visitors paying tribute. Offerings typically include incense, flowers and local produce, along with traditional bánh chưng and bánh dầy – 2 symoblic dishes of Viet Nam, presented to report life achievements to the ancestors.

Sacred origins of the Lạc Hồng lineage

The legend of the hundred eggs (Lạc) and the Hồng Bàng lineage (Hồng), together with historical, cultural and religious traces passed down through generations, symbolises not only community cohesion but also the spiritual concept of national unity.

In the Vietnamese consciousness, the civilisation of the Hung Kings era stands as a proud milestone, forming a foundation that has enabled generations to overcome hardships and affirm their national origins.

Guided by the principle of "when drinking water, remember its source", the Vietnamese people have long built temples to worship the Hung Kings. Historical records show that between the 13th and 14th centuries, Upper, Middle and Lower temples were constructed to worship the 18 Hung Kings, along with mountain deities such as Đột Ngột Cao Sơn, Ất Sơn and Viễn Sơn. The kings' daughters, including Mỵ Nương, Tiên Dung and Ngọc Hoa, are worshipped at Giếng Temple. In the 15th century, the temples were destroyed by Ming invaders, but later rebuilt after national liberation, continuing the tradition of incense offerings to the founding ancestors.

During the Lê Dynasty, to affirm the nation's long history and the continuity of royal authority, King Lê Thánh Tông ordered the compilation of royal genealogies explaining the origins of the Hung Kings. From then on, what had been a local festival took on a national character. The commemoration was formalised, with local authorities responsible for its organisation. Every five years, the king provided rice to prepare bánh chưng offerings. While the original date followed local custom on the 12th day of the third lunar month, it was later standardised to the 10th day, with court representatives attending the rituals.

In 1917, under the Nguyễn Dynasty, the Governor of Phú Thọ, Lê Trung Ngọc, proposed designating the 10th day of the third lunar month as a national commemoration day, which was approved by the imperial court. Since then, Hung Kings Commemoration Day has been officially recognised.

Following the August Revolution, President Hồ Chí Minh signed a decree on 18 February, 1946, granting public employees a day off on the 10th day of the third lunar month to participate in commemorative activities. That same year, acting President Huỳnh Thúc Kháng conducted the incense offering ceremony, presenting a map of Việt Nam and a sword at the ancestral altar, symbolising the nation's determination to defend its sovereignty.

On 2 April 2007, the National Assembly approved amendments to the Labour Code, granting workers a paid day off for Hung Kings Commemoration Day. In odd-numbered years, Phú Thọ Province hosts the festival, while even-numbered years see organisation at the national level. The festival is now held not only at the Hung Temple site but also in many localities nationwide. In 2010, the commemoration was organised nationwide for the first time, with national-level rituals held at the Hung Temple in Phú Thọ.

Descendants of “Lạc Hồng” during the national commemoration day. Photo: Phan Huy

The enduring value of "remembering one's roots"

On December 6, 2012, the UNESCO recognised the "Worship of the Hung Kings in Phú Thọ" as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, describing it as a symbol of national unity and the enduring tradition of remembering one's roots.

According to Associate Professor, Dr Bùi Hoài Sơn of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Society, few nations in the world revere a common ancestor with such solemnity and continuity. "Vietnamese generations have created the image of founding kings who are both real and mysterious, sacred as national ancestors yet close to every citizen. UNESCO's recognition affirms the enduring value of this tradition, enhancing respect for cultural diversity and the creativity of the Vietnamese people," he said.

Wherever Vietnamese people go, they carry with them the consciousness of their ancestral roots. Wherever they settle, temples dedicated to the Hung Kings can be found. The worship of the Hung Kings continues to affirm its firm place in social life, reinforcing national unity and the enduring vitality of cultural identity.

Beyond its spiritual and cultural significance, the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site and the annual commemoration serve as a focal point for national solidarity, honouring Vietnam's ethical and cultural values.

The principle of "remembering one's roots" remains a source of inner strength for the Vietnamese nation. As the country continues to integrate more deeply into the world, this value is increasingly vital to preserve and promote through meaningful and humane actions rooted in tradition.

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