Thousands gathered in the northern province of Phu Tho on April 7 for agrand procession to honour the Hung Kings, the founders of theVietnamese nation.
Groups from Viet Tri city's suburban districtsHy Cuong, Hung Lo and Van Phu, rural district Tien Kien and Hung Sonand Lam Thao townships headed to the Hung Kings Temple on Nghia LinhMountain.
Each procession was led by dancers, followed by a groupcarrying national and festive flags and another group playing ritualdrums and gongs and other traditional instruments.
The next groupcarried ritual parasols, symbolic weapons and a red lacquer palanquintrimmed with gold patterns and was followed by a train of people actingas court mandarins.
At the Hung Kings Temple, various worshipping rituals took place and offerings were presented at the temple altar.
Accordingto Vice Chairman of Phu Tho provincial People's Committee Ha Ke San,the procession became larger when people from urban areas startedparticipating three years ago.
"As part of the Hung Kingsworshipping rituals in Phu Tho, the procession not only contributes tothe preservation of this Intangible Cultural Heritage, but also raisesawareness about the moral principle ‘When drinking water, remember itssource'," said San, who is also head of the Hung Kings Temple Festivalorganising board.
According to Vietnamese legend, the 18 HungKings ruled during the first period of Vietnamese history, from 2879-258BC. The worshipping rituals of the Hung Kings are closely related tothe ancestor worshipping tradition of most Vietnamese families, whichforms an important part of people's spiritual lives. It was recognisedas a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
In celebration of the festival, a range of activities showcased local culture for tourists.
OnApril 6, a contest for making banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes)and banh day (round glutinous rice cakes) drew teams from Phu Tho, HoaBinh, Hai Duong and Hanoi.
According to the tale, these cakeswere created by Prince Tiet Lieu, the youngest son of Hung King VI. Theking said he would pass on the throne to whichever son brought him themost special and unusual food. Tiet Lieu was given the throne thanks tohis simple and meaningful offerings, made from rice that he had grownwith his own hands.
The Hanoi team won the banh day categorywhile the Phu Tho team triumphed in the banh chung category. The twoteams will get the chance to offer their traditional cakes to the HungKings at the altar.
The day also marked the opening of anexhibition of photos by Phu Tho photographers. Through the photos,visitors can learn about local religious customs and enjoy theprovince's natural landscapes, featuring palm hills and tea farms.
Anexhibition dedicated to the Hung Kings worshipping rituals wasorganised at the Hung Kings Temple. The display presents nearly 100photos and objects related to the rituals, including an ancient photo ofa procession during the 1905 Hung Kings Festival.
In the nightof April 5, a special art performance on the theme Ve Mien Di San(Visiting the Region of Heritage) was held at Viet Tri city's Hung KingSquare.
Hundreds of local artists sang and danced. The show wasdivided into three parts: Dat To Coi Nguon (Ancestors' Land – OriginalSource), Ve Mien Di San and Rang Ngoi Dat To (Brilliant Ancestors'Land). The show wrapped up with a fireworks performance.
Other competitions held during the festival included wrestling, Chinese chess, crossbow and volleyball.
Alongsidethe Hung Kings worshipping rituals, Phu Tho is the birthplace of hatxoan (xoan singing), recognised as cultural intangible heritage byUNESCO in November 2011.-VNA
Groups from Viet Tri city's suburban districtsHy Cuong, Hung Lo and Van Phu, rural district Tien Kien and Hung Sonand Lam Thao townships headed to the Hung Kings Temple on Nghia LinhMountain.
Each procession was led by dancers, followed by a groupcarrying national and festive flags and another group playing ritualdrums and gongs and other traditional instruments.
The next groupcarried ritual parasols, symbolic weapons and a red lacquer palanquintrimmed with gold patterns and was followed by a train of people actingas court mandarins.
At the Hung Kings Temple, various worshipping rituals took place and offerings were presented at the temple altar.
Accordingto Vice Chairman of Phu Tho provincial People's Committee Ha Ke San,the procession became larger when people from urban areas startedparticipating three years ago.
"As part of the Hung Kingsworshipping rituals in Phu Tho, the procession not only contributes tothe preservation of this Intangible Cultural Heritage, but also raisesawareness about the moral principle ‘When drinking water, remember itssource'," said San, who is also head of the Hung Kings Temple Festivalorganising board.
According to Vietnamese legend, the 18 HungKings ruled during the first period of Vietnamese history, from 2879-258BC. The worshipping rituals of the Hung Kings are closely related tothe ancestor worshipping tradition of most Vietnamese families, whichforms an important part of people's spiritual lives. It was recognisedas a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
In celebration of the festival, a range of activities showcased local culture for tourists.
OnApril 6, a contest for making banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes)and banh day (round glutinous rice cakes) drew teams from Phu Tho, HoaBinh, Hai Duong and Hanoi.
According to the tale, these cakeswere created by Prince Tiet Lieu, the youngest son of Hung King VI. Theking said he would pass on the throne to whichever son brought him themost special and unusual food. Tiet Lieu was given the throne thanks tohis simple and meaningful offerings, made from rice that he had grownwith his own hands.
The Hanoi team won the banh day categorywhile the Phu Tho team triumphed in the banh chung category. The twoteams will get the chance to offer their traditional cakes to the HungKings at the altar.
The day also marked the opening of anexhibition of photos by Phu Tho photographers. Through the photos,visitors can learn about local religious customs and enjoy theprovince's natural landscapes, featuring palm hills and tea farms.
Anexhibition dedicated to the Hung Kings worshipping rituals wasorganised at the Hung Kings Temple. The display presents nearly 100photos and objects related to the rituals, including an ancient photo ofa procession during the 1905 Hung Kings Festival.
In the nightof April 5, a special art performance on the theme Ve Mien Di San(Visiting the Region of Heritage) was held at Viet Tri city's Hung KingSquare.
Hundreds of local artists sang and danced. The show wasdivided into three parts: Dat To Coi Nguon (Ancestors' Land – OriginalSource), Ve Mien Di San and Rang Ngoi Dat To (Brilliant Ancestors'Land). The show wrapped up with a fireworks performance.
Other competitions held during the festival included wrestling, Chinese chess, crossbow and volleyball.
Alongsidethe Hung Kings worshipping rituals, Phu Tho is the birthplace of hatxoan (xoan singing), recognised as cultural intangible heritage byUNESCO in November 2011.-VNA
