National festivities in full swing

PHU THO — A constant stream of vehicles have been flowing to Nghia Linh Mountain in Phu Tho Province to commemorate the Hung Kings and the early ancestors of the Vietnamese people.

Parking lots surrounding the area are practically full as people of all ages and regions arrive to pay tribute to their ancestors.

Stages have been constructed on one main road leading to the mountain, where musicians and artists are performing, bringing a festive atmosphere to the area.

The stream of people continue from the parking lots up the mountain, where they pass Den Ha (Low Temple), Den Trung (Middle Temple) and Den Thuong (Upper Temple), as well as the Hung King Mausoleum and Den Gieng (Well Temple).

Towards the top of the mountain the journey becomes more challenging, as the crowds congratulate at the temples, although nobody is in a rush, and delight seems to be the overwhelming emotion displayed.

“I visit the site every year on this occasion,” said Mai Trung Tinh, from Ha Noi, “I see that this year the organisers have done a better job. Security guards stand along the staircases to support old people and children, and remind people to mind their steps.”

Pilgrimage: A non-strop stream of people flock to Nghia Linh Mountain to celebrate. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong

Each temple at the Hung Temples Complex has its own story from the early period of Vietnamese history.

Legend has it that the Lower Temple was where Mother Au Co – who in folk tales the Vietnamese people are said to have descended from – gave birth to 100 eggs, which then hatched into 50 boys and 50 girls, the first of the Vietnamese people.

Inside the temple is a large stele with an engraving of a sentence spoke by president Ho Chi Minh, it reads: “The Hung Kings established the country. You and I together should protect the country.”

The Middle Temple is said to be where the Hung Kings and their generals discussed national issues, and watched over the surrounding landscapes. The Upper Temple on the peak of the mountain is referenced in folk tales to be where holy ceremonies were held, wishing for good weather and bumper harvests.

The Hung King Mausoleum in the east of the Upper Temple is believed to contain the tomb of the 6th Hung King.

The Well Temple contains the remnants of an ancient well, which is said to be the mirror that the princesses Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa used when combing their hair and doing their make up.

The local authorities of Phu Tho have prepared extensively for the Hung King memorial event with both spiritual and festive ceremonies. The event this year is jointly organised by the provinces of Binh Duong, Kien Giang, Thai Nguyen and Quang Nam. It runs from April 21 utill April 25 (the 6th to 10th of the third lunar year).

Affection: People from all around the country pay tribute to the Hung Kings with deep gratitude. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong

A street festival was held on 21st April, gathering thousands of locals.

Nguyen Van Van, deputy chairman of Viet Tri City People’s Committee, said the street festival this year was widely supported by locals in both human and financial capactities.

Each of 23 communes, wards and towns in Viet Tri City contributed a performance with a different theme. Nine folk art troupes from nine districts in Phu Tho Province also joined in the show.

“We performed an ancient dance called Lap Tinh, a ritual from the Mature Ceremony of the Dao ethnic group,” said Ly Van Thu of Kim Thuong Commune, Tan Son District, “We were all very happy and proud to be there.”

As well as the festivities, a book fair and photo exhibition are also being held in the centre of Viet Tri City.

The book fair consists of 16 stalls by 13 publishing companies. As many as 15,000 titles are available to buy at the fair, alongside discussions between students and authors.

As many as 100 photos of Phu Tho and the local people in the area are on displayed at the event.

On the morning of April 23, a palanquin and offering procession was organised by seven communes and wards surrounding the Hung King Temple Complex.

The palanquin procession featured hundreds of folk dancers and musicians, performing traditional music and dance. Offerings of flowers and cakes were made during the procession, followed by a cake making contest.

Mirror, mirror: The ancient well said to have been used by princesses to do their make up. VNS Photo Tran Mai Huong

The contest involved 14 teams, who each had 10 minutes to make cakes out of a limited amount of sticky rice.

Teams from Ha Noi and Cam Khe District of Phu Tho Province won the contest. They will have the honour to offer their cakes on the official commemorate ceremony next year.

Vietnamese legend has it that Lac Long Quan, the son of King Duong Vuong, married Au Co, the daughter of the King De Lai. Au Co then gave birth to a sack containing 100 eggs, from which 100 children were born. 

The couple then decided to separate in order to populate the land. Half of the children followed their mother to the highlands, while the rest went with their father to the sea.

The first child went with his mother Au Co to Phong Chau, now Phu Tho Province. He then became King Hung and founded Van Lang - the first recorded nation in the history of Viet Nam. 

Ruling the country for 18 generations, the Hung Kings taught the people how to grow wet rice. They chose Nghia Linh Mountain, the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to rice and sun deities to pray for lush crops.