Phu Tho (VNA) – An incense offering ceremony was held at the HungKings Temple Relic Site on Nghia Linh Mountain in the northern midland province of PhuTho on April 21 to commemorate the national founders, the Hung Kings.
Attending the ceremony, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Party and State officials,and leaders of Phu Tho province offered incense and flowers in tribute to theHung Kings, praying for the nation’s peace and prosperity.
Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Quang spokehighly of the great contributions of the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Van Lang - the first State in Vietnam, while praising the ancestors’ resilience in protectingthe nation.
Following the incense offering ceremony, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc andthe delegates laid a wreath of flowers and offered incense at the tomb of the 6th Hung King, and paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh and martyrs at therelief featuring the late leader’s talk with soldiers from the Tien Phong VanguardDivision stationed at the relic site.
On the occasion of the death anniversary of the Hung Kings, many Vietnamesepeople from across the country and abroad paid homage to the national founders atthe temple complex.
This year, many activities held on the occasion have been adjusted to suit the “newnormal” situation, with COVID-19 prevention measures strictly put in place. Theworship of the Hung Kings was organised to popularise the UNESCOIntangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity among Vietnamese nationals andforeign friends.
Legendhas it that the eldest son of Lac Long Quan (son of Kinh Duong Vuong) and Au Co(the fairy daughter of De Lai) was made king. He named the country Van Lang andset up the capital in Phong Chau (modern-day Viet Tri city), beginning 18dynasties of the Hung Kings.
The kings chose Nghia Linh Mountain, the highest in the region, to performrituals devoted to the rice and sun deities to pray for healthy crops.
Tohonour their substantial contributions, a complex of temples dedicated to thekings was built on Nghia Linh Mountain, and the tenth day of the third lunarmonth serves as the national commemorative anniversary for the kings.
Earlier on the morning, President Phuc came to Tu Xa new-style ruralcommune in Lam Thao district, where he visited several public works like marketsand stadiums, and met with local residents.
The leader congratulated Tu Xa commune on its achievements in building new stylerural areas in the past time, stressing a new style rural locality needs an advancedand quality education system, sound medical services, and good livingconditions.
He asked the commune to speed up application of science and technology, anddevelop One Commune One Product (OCOP) products to better serve the market./.