Returning to the origin - The heart of the nation

ĐBP - Vietnamese people have a saying: “No matter where you go, remember the Ancestor’s Death Anniversary on the tenth of March.”

Since ancient times, the Hùng Kings’ Death Anniversary has been of great significance in Vietnamese culture. To honor the ancestors who forged the land, built the foundations of the country, and laid the groundwork for the nation, every year, Vietnamese people across the country gather to pay homage to the ancestors at the sacred land of Phú Thọ province.

Preserving cultural traditions

Phú Thọ province is known as the homeland of the ancient Vietnamese people and the cradle of wet-rice civilization and Vietnamese culture. Due to its geographical and cultural significance, Phú Thọ has always been regarded as a sacred land, where the Hùng Kings established the Văn Lang Kingdom - the first state in Vietnam.

In the minds of the Vietnamese people, the Hùng Kings are symbols and founders of the country. Over generations, the worship of the Hùng Kings has become a part of the national identity and a traditional virtue, reflecting deep gratitude for the ancestors’ contributions to the establishment and defense of the nation. Worshiping the Hùng Kings is not only a spiritual activity to pray for the nation’s prosperity, peace, good harvests, and security, but also serves as a reminder to strengthen the unity, love, and mutual support among the different ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Currently, there are more than 1,400 sites nationwide dedicated to the worship of the Hùng Kings, their spouses, and generals of the Hùng Kings era. Phú Thọ alone has 345 such sites. Other provinces and cities such as Hà Nội, Vĩnh Phúc, Nghệ An, Huế, Đồng Nai, Hồ Chí Minh City, and Bến Tre also have numerous sites dedicated to the Hùng Kings. Every year, these localities hold solemn and respectful ceremonies to honor the Hùng Kings.

On the anniversary of the Hùng Kings’ Death, the pilgrimage to the Hùng Temple in Phú Thọ is a deeply cherished tradition for many generations of Vietnamese people. This pilgrimage is seen as a return to the historical roots. Over time, it has become the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival, also known as the Hùng Kings’ Death Anniversary, which has grown into a major national festival, holding great importance in the spiritual life of the people, embodying deep emotions, pride, and national identity. Therefore, on December 6, 2012, UNESCO officially recognized the worship of the Hùng Kings in Phú Thọ as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, affirming the deep value and meaning of this cultural practice.

With this pride, the Hùng Kings’ Death Anniversary has become an important occasion to promote the image of Phú Thọ and attract tourists from all over the country. The province has also determined to make tourism a key driver for economic development.

The “Echoes of the Origin” arts program opens the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival and the 2025 “Land of Ancestors” Culture and Tourism Week. Photo source: baophutho.vn

A diverse destination

Taking advantage of this, every year on the 10th of March on the lunar calendar, Phú Thọ welcomes millions of visitors from all over the country who come to pay homage to the Hùng Kings. In 2024, more than 3 million visitors came during this time. The province is continuing to make efforts to organize the Hùng Kings’ Death Anniversary Festival in a dignified, exemplary manner that deeply reflects national traditions.

This year, the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival and the “Land of Ancestors” Culture and Tourism Week takes place from March 29 to April 7 (from the 1st to the 10th of the third lunar month of the Year of the Snake). In addition to traditional activities, the festival will introduce several new features, offering unique experiences for both locals and visitors. The highlight will be the opening arts program with the theme "Echoes of the Origin" on the evening of the 1st of the third lunar month at Hùng Vương Square. Other exciting activities will take place at the Văn Lang Park, such as the Xoan singing performance, competitions for making “chưng” cakes and grinding “giầy” cakes, and exhibitions showcasing materials and artifacts from the Hùng Kings’ era. In addition to cultural activities, this year’s festival will also feature many sports events, including the 2025 “Drinking Water, Remembering the Source” Golf Tournament - Phú Thọ, the Martial Arts Festival toward the Origin, and the 2025 “Returning to the root” Marathon. These events will not only help promote the image of the Land of Ancestors but also spread the spirit of unity and community connection through sports and culture.

Nguyễn Huy Ngọc, Deputy Chairman of the Phú Thọ provincial People’s Committee, emphasized to the press: “One of the important tasks for Phú Thọ in the current period is to accelerate tourism development, striving to make tourism a key driver for economic growth. Especially, the annual Hùng Kings’ Death Anniversary is a crucial time to promote Phú Thọ’s image and attract tourists from across the country.”

To achieve this, Phú Thọ is working to position itself not only as the origin of the Vietnamese people but also as a colorful destination with all the valuable resources needed to become a cultural, ecological, and spiritual tourism center. In addition to the Hùng Kings’ Death Anniversary, Phú Thọ’s tourism sector is expanding its tourism offerings, including sports tourism, golf tourism, and resorts, diversifying products, and reducing the focus on the peak festival season.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Phú Thọ, the province is aiming to establish five key tourism centers with distinct tourism products, such as Việt Trì city, which will be a destination for festivals associated with the Hùng Kings’ Historical Relic Complex and night entertainment; Thanh Thủy, with ecological tourism and resorts linked to hot spring springs and natural landscapes; Tam Nông, focusing on sports tourism and golf; and Long Cốc - Xuân Sơn National Park, with community tourism.

Phú Thọ’s tourism sector is also strengthening connections with tourism and travel businesses nationwide to expand its market, continuing its cooperation with eight provinces in the Northwest and Hồ Chí Minh City, creating many inter-provincial tourism routes to attract visitors to the Land of Ancestors.

Nguyễn Hiền
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'Science and technology drives circular agriculture forward

    Science and technology drives circular agriculture forward

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Circular economy in agriculture is a closed-loop production model where waste is not discarded but reused as input material, helping reduce pollution, protect the environment, and improve public health. Điện Biên province has identified the development of a circular agricultural economy as a core pillar in its sustainable farming strategy, closely tied to science, technology, and innovation.
  • 'Điện Biên paves the way for investors

    Điện Biên paves the way for investors

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - With vast tracts of land, an abundant labor force, and a strategic location in Vietnam’s Northwest region, Điện Biên province is steadily asserting itself as an attractive destination for investors. In recent years, the provincial government has rolled out a comprehensive set of measures aimed at improving the investment climate, creating favorable conditions for private sector development, driving economic growth, improving living standards, and unlocking the province’s inherent strengths.
  • 'Streamlining local government: Pusheing forward with commune mergers

    Streamlining local government: Pusheing forward with commune mergers

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The Government’s Steering Committee for reorganization of local administrative units and implementation of the two-tier local government model has outlined a staffing framework for newly merged commune-level units, targeting approximately 32 personnel per commune. This includes three specialized departments, each staffed with around five civil servants. The top priority is ensuring effective administration without irrational territorial or functional overlaps, thus earning public support.
  • 'Chiềng Sinh improves administrative reform to serve the people

    Chiềng Sinh improves administrative reform to serve the people

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In the effort to enhance social and economic development, the commune of Chiềng Sinh (Tuần Giáo district, Điện Biên province) has been actively implementing administrative reforms, with an emphasis on serving the needs of citizens and businesses efficiently and promptly. The commune has succeeded in achieving a 99% rate of resolving administrative procedures ahead of the deadline, with increasing satisfaction rates from the public.
  • 'Acting together for a smoke-free environment

    Acting together for a smoke-free environment

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In response to World No Tobacco Day on May 31 and the National Week on No Tobacco (May 25-31), Điện Biên province has actively implemented many practical activities to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco.
  • 'Accelerating implementation of key projects

    Accelerating implementation of key projects

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In line with the policy of streamlining administrative bodies, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, and eliminating the district-level government structure, localities in Điện Biên province are speeding up the progress of major projects. Many of these projects aim to be completed before the district-level government structure is removed, ensuring the timely completion of public investment projects and laying a solid foundation for future development.
  • 'Living on the edge: Pa Xa Xá sleeps in fear of landslides

    Living on the edge: Pa Xa Xá sleeps in fear of landslides

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - “When the rainy season hits, I don’t dare turn off the lights at night. I’m too afraid of landslides. Just the sound of trees rustling behind the house is enough to send the whole family running outside”, held Quàng Thị Săn, a resident of Pa Xa Xá village, Pa Thơm commune, Điện Biên district, Điện Biên province.
  • 'Protecting rights, improving lives of trade union members: Điện Biên’s Labor Federation in action

    Protecting rights, improving lives of trade union members: Điện Biên’s Labor Federation in action

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Fulfilling its role as the representative body protecting the legitimate rights and interests of trade union members and workers, the Labor Federation of Điện Biên province has recently rolled out a series of practical initiatives. These include supporting welfare policies, visiting and presenting gifts to workers in need, and funding the construction of homes for union members. Such efforts aim to help workers overcome difficulties and focus on their jobs, ultimately improving their standard of living.
  • 'Vibrant patriotic emulation movements

    Vibrant patriotic emulation movements

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Amid the nationwide focus on the upcoming Party congresses at all levels and the 14th National Congress, the enthusiasm for patriotic emulation has spread throughout the province. In the border district of Nậm Pồ, Điện Biên province, all government agencies, units, and localities are filled with a spirited atmosphere of emulation, marked by action-oriented slogans, practical deeds, and the highest political determination.
  • 'Concerns about keeping children safe this summer

    Concerns about keeping children safe this summer

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As the summer season arrives, there has been a growing concern over the increasing number of accidents involving children, affecting their health and safety. It is crucial for all levels of government, organizations, and families to focus on accident prevention to ensure that children have a safe and productive summer break.
  • 'Proactively preparing for changes in 2025 High School Graduation Exam

    Proactively preparing for changes in 2025 High School Graduation Exam

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The 2025 High School Graduation Exam marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time the 2018 General Education Program is implemented for 12th-grade students nationwide. With substantial reforms in the format, content, and methods of the exam, the Điện Biên provincial Department of Education and Training (DoET) has been proactively implementing various coordinated measures, with a focus on promoting information dissemination, guiding students, and organizing focused revision sessions to ensure students are not confused or caught off guard by the changes.