Hung Kings' Anniversary

The Hung Kings' anniversary is a national holiday in Vietnam, commemorating the Hùng Kings and their part in establishing the modern nation of Vietnam. The anniversary is celebrated from the 8th to the 11th of the third lunar month, with the main day being the 10th of March. This year, it falls on the 29th of April 2023 based on the solar calendar.

History

Hung Kings were the traditional founders of the nation and the first emperors of ancient Vietnam, which was called "Văn Lang" or Land of Tattooed Men. Ancient Vietnamese texts cite the first Hùng King, Kinh Dương Vương, as having created his kingdom in 2879 BC, but current archaeological evidence places its beginnings between 1000 and 500 BC. Their state is believed to have originated in northern Phu Tho province but may have stretched to the Red River Delta and even to parts of southern China.

Dương Vương founded the Hồng Bàng Dynasty, whose descendants ruled Vietnam until 258 BC. Kinh Dương Vương and the 17 Hùng Kings that came after him are credited with establishing the basis of Vietnamese civilisation. During their reign, the kings are said to have initiated methods of farming, hunting and horticulture, and facilitated a sense of patriotism in their subjects through the preservation of traditions. They chose Nghĩa Linh Mountain, the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to rice and sun deities to pray for good harvests.

How is the Hung Kings Festival celebrated?

During the anniversary, events are held across Vietnam’s 1,400 Hùng King temples, but the main ceremony takes place at the Phu Tho temple complex north of Hanoi, where millions travel every year.

Like other festivals in the northern part of Viet Nam, this festival includes two parts: the incense-offering ceremony and the recreational activities.

The first part is an important part of the festival. It is held at Upper temple to express the respect and gratitude of “Dragon and Fairy descendants” to the ancestors. Offerings

typically include a pig, a goat, a cow, Chưng cake, Dày cake and a grand five-fruit feast. After hearing the sound of an old bronze drum, the state representatives, followed by the elders around and pilgrims will conduct the incense-offering rite.

The second part carries out jubilantly around the temples with a mixture of both traditional and modern activities. However, the most outstanding ones are the procession marches, Xoan singing performance in Upper temple and Ca Tru singing performance in Lower temple. Cross-bow shooting, rice cooking, swinging contests, cock fighting, and dragon dancing also attract many tourists’ attention.

It can be concluded that in our nation's cultural heritage, Hùng Temple festival has become a symbol of the strength of national unity, one connection between past and present by "uống nước nhớ nguồn" (remembering the resource when drinking water) ethnics. Students and working people usually get 3 days off to celebrate the holiday.

~ Melanie Nguyen