Each ethnic group formed and developed in different historical circumstances and with different nuances. All ethnic groups consciously choose their own symbols, for example, the French choose the rooster, the Americans choose the falcon, the Albanians choose the eagle, etc. The Vietnamese people are associated with the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, and often associated with the symbol of our nation is “con Rồng cháu Tiên” (roughly translated as “son of Dragon, grandson of the God”). The period of long legends in history is part of spiritual life, forming the core for the formation of national cultural identity.

History of Hung Kings

When mentioning about the Hung Kings era, every Vietnamese person has a respectful attitude. The Hung Kings era is an ancient period that has been confirmed in terms of chronology and this era is associated with the formation of an ethnic community in the territory of the Northern and North Central Plains. 

During this period, Vietnam has reached a relatively high level of social organization, with the first political apparatus in the history of Vietnam - Van Lang apparatus. At that time, the capital was located in Phong Chau, and had a community including “Lạc” people, “Lạc” generals, and “Lạc” kings. 

Hung King is the ancestor of Vietnamese people

According to legends, before Hung Vuong's time was Kinh Duong Vuong - at the same time as Chinese Fuxi Emperor. Lac Long Quan was at the same time as Shen Nong in China. The person who gave birth to King Hung was Lac Long Quan, and the one who gave birth to Lac Long Quan was Kinh Duong Vuong. Currently, there is not only a temple to worship Hung King on Phu Tho land, but also in Thuan Thanh (Bac Ninh) there is also a place of worship and a place where there is a tomb called King Kinh Duong Vuong's grave.

Although existing in the same era as many famous Chinese dynasties, there is not much convincing evidence for the existence of the Hung King period. The stories of this era were mostly oral legends, and were passed down from generations to generations. Through versions and generations, historical stories have brought many mythological colors, making many people doubt the veracity of this dynasty.

Many people believe in the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co

However, the results of archeology have helped us to confirm that there was a real Hung King era in Vietnamese history. Many famous sites as milestones in the development of 2000 years of history associated with the Hung Kings era have been confirmed: at the Museum, which was built in 1993 right on the land of Hung Vuong's ancestors, there are over 3000 exhibits. objects, 5 galleries introducing 700 original artifacts, 176 scientific documents, 5 related videos, especially a bronze drum discovered in Hy Cuong commune of type I Hegemony with the largest face size (93cm) of the Hege I types discovered in Vietnam and the Tan Long bronze drum also belonging to Phu Tho has the largest face diameter (103 cm) of the bronze drums found in Vietnam, allowing us to confirm that , it was a real era in Vietnamese history.

In summary, the Hung Kings era is the era in legend but reflects a historical reality that is the formation of the Vietnamese ethnic community very early.

Hung Temple and Hung Kings Festival

With the sense of "Uống nước nhớ nguồn" (the same meaning with “When you eat a fruit, think of the man who planted the tree.”), our people have built temples for the Hung King for ages. From the 13th century to the 14th century, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Temples were built to worship the 18 Hung Kings and the mountain gods, Cao Son, At Son, Vien Son, etc., the Hung King's daughters, My. Nuong, Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa worship at Gieng Temple. In the 15th century, Hung Temple was destroyed by the Ming invaders, but after defeating foreign invaders, our people rebuilt it to continue the life of incense to Duc Quoc To.

The Hung Temple Festival was previously limited to a local festival

Hung King Festival

Trao village (now Trieu Phu village) i.e. Ca village is the village assigned to take care of the worship of the former Hung Kings.

Only in the Le Dynasty, with a clear political goal, in order to affirm the historical teaching of his nation and the inheritance of his dynasty to the great pioneers, Le Thanh Tong conferred the jade genealogy, explaining the origin of Hung Kings and since then the local festival has become a form of state festival.

Thus, since Hong Duc Emperor's time, Hung Kings Commemoration has been strictly regulated and assigned to the locality in charge of implementation. Once every five years, the king would give rice to cook banh chung to offer to the Patriarch. At first, the festival was on the 12th of the third lunar month according to local custom, but from the Le Dynasty, it was stipulated that on the 10th day of the third lunar month, there were representatives of the imperial court with the provincial officials to worship and offer incense.

Hung King Commemoration occurs yearly

Currently, the Vietnamese state has made Hung Kings Commemoration a great national holiday. This is a very meaningful annual festival that helps the young generations to thoroughly understand their origins, uphold and maintain the nation's tradition of gratitude and filial piety.

Tags: Vietnamese history, Vietnamese culture, travel Vietnam, Vietnam, Hung Kings, Hung King’s anniversary, Vietnam’s festival, Vietnam’s traditions.