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

  • 'Family meals strengthen bonds of love

    Family meals strengthen bonds of love

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In modern life, many people have become accustomed to the fast pace of daily routines, leaving family members with little time for each other. Therefore, family meals hold significant importance, not only as a beautiful traditional cultural practice but also as an opportunity for family members to gather, bond, and share joys and sorrows together.
  • 'Clean water systems transform lives in Điện Biên’s mountainous areas

    Clean water systems transform lives in Điện Biên’s mountainous areas

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Despite being the headwaters of many rivers and streams, numerous villages and communes in the highlands of Điện Biên still face a shortage of clean water for daily use. In response to the urgent need for clean water in these areas, the province has implemented a range of initiatives in recent years to bring safe water closer to residents.
  • 'Small homes, great happiness

    Small homes, great happiness

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - It is no coincidence that the Vietnamese people always speak of the word “family” with utmost reverence. It is the place where each person is sheltered, grows up, learns to love, and matures. In life’s journey, one may pass through many places, face numerous hardships, but the embrace of family, whether large or small, is always the place one wishes to return to.
  • 'Sports connect families

    Sports connect families

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - The first Pickleball Family Tournament in Điện Biên province for 2025 concluded successfully in the joyful atmosphere of the Vietnam’s Family Day (June 28). This was not just a warm sports event where family bonds were nurtured and beautiful memories created, but also a tournament that strongly spread the message about the role of sports in building happy and sustainable family homes.
  • 'Happy homes, stronger country

    Happy homes, stronger country

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The family is the fundamental unit of society, playing a vital role in its formation and development. Under the theme “Happy homes, stronger country”, Vietnam Family Day (June 28) in 2025 once again honors family values, underscoring the importance of the family unit in the growth and well-being of the nation.
  • 'Fostering and developing young party members

    Fostering and developing young party members

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In the context of difficulties in creating sources of new party members, actively identifying and nurturing outstanding young people, especially youth union members, is a priority for the local party committees in Điện Biên province. This approach not only enhances the quality of party members but also ensures the continuity and growth of party organizations at the grassroots level.
  • 'The silent war

    The silent war

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The battle against drugs in Điện Biên province continues to unfold silently yet fiercely and perilously. Every victory in this war is not only won through intellect and resolve but often through sweat, tears, and even sacrifice.
  • 'Ensuring safe mining operations during rainy season

    Ensuring safe mining operations during rainy season

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - As the rainy season approaches, ensuring safety in mining and mineral processing activities, especially in mountainous areas, is of paramount importance. The risks of landslides, flash floods, and flooding always loom, posing significant threats to human lives, business assets, and the local community.
  • 'Điện Biên races to implement two-tier local government system

    Điện Biên races to implement two-tier local government system

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - With just a few days remaining, the two-tier local government system is set to be officially operational, laying the foundation for a new phase of development. Ahead of this historic moment in the ongoing administrative restructuring revolution, the atmosphere of urgency is palpable across localities, with efforts intensifying to complete all tasks on time, working day and night.
  • 'Diverse forms of dissemination for Party congresses at all levels

    Diverse forms of dissemination for Party congresses at all levels

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In recent times, the Party Committee of the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee has focused on directing and enhancing the dissemination efforts for the party congresses at all levels through various forms and content. This aims to affirm the leadership role of the Party and strengthen public trust.
  • 'Maintaining peace along the border

    Maintaining peace along the border

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Nearly two years into the pilot implementation of the “Drug-free border commune” model, Vàng Đán commune (Nậm Pồ district, Điện Biên province) has seen notable improvements in public security and order. Drug-related crime and social evils have significantly declined, contributing to local stability and creating favorable conditions for socio-economic development.
  • 'Điện Biên exchanges potential for cooperation with Caen city (France)

    Điện Biên exchanges potential for cooperation with Caen city (France)

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On June 25, the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee held an online meeting to discuss potential for cooperation across various fields with the government of Caen city, Calvados prefecture, France. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vừ A Bằng chaired the meeting from Điện Biên, while Cécile Cottenceau, Deputy Mayor of Caen, chaired the meeting from the French city.
  • '50 children in special circumstances trained in swimming and drowning prevention skills

    50 children in special circumstances trained in swimming and drowning prevention skills

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - 50 children with special circumstances, currently residing at the SOS Children’s Village Điện Biên Phủ, the provincial Social Welfare Center, and from underprivileged families in several districts and communes in Điện Biên province participated in a swimming and drowning prevention skills training course organized by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
  • 'Realizing dream of stable housing

    Realizing dream of stable housing

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - With the spirit of “Mutual Support - No One Left Behind,” in recent years, Điện Biên province has maximized its resources and effectively implemented housing policies for people from policy backgrounds. Every new house completed not only helps people settle down but also gives them the motivation to focus on production and work toward sustainably reducing poverty.