The Hùng Kings and the Hùng Kings’ Anniversary in Phu Tho Province

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Remember the March 10th anniversary with pride.

The Hung Kings’ Anniversary

The Hung Kings’ Anniversary, celebrated annually on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, is an occasion for Vietnamese people to honor and remember the contributions of the Hung Kings—the first rulers of Van Lang Kingdom, which later became Vietnam.

The Hung Kings and the State of Van Lang

According to legend, the Hung Kings were descendants of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, who are regarded as the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. After giving birth to a sack of one hundred eggs that hatched into one hundred children, Lac Long Quan and Au Co separated due to differing visions for their offspring’s future.
The eldest son followed his mother to the mountains, where he embraced the natural beauty of the rugged landscape and the rich resources it offered, ultimately becoming the first Hung King. He founded the state of Van Lang—the first Vietnamese kingdom—with its capital in Phong Chau (now in Phu Tho province). Under his reign, the kingdom flourished, marked by agricultural advancements and community-building efforts that united the tribes under a common identity.
The Hung Kings’ dynasty lasted for 18 generations, according to folklore, and is celebrated for laying the groundwork for the Vietnamese nation, fostering a cultural heritage that remains deeply ingrained in the hearts of the Vietnamese people today.

Origins and History of the Hung Kings’ Anniversary

The worship of the Hung Kings has been a longstanding tradition in Vietnamese culture.
In 1470, during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, and again in 1601 under King Le Kinh Tong, the royal court designated the 11th and 12th days of the 3rd lunar month for the Hung Kings’ Anniversary.
In 1917, King Khai Dinh officially declared the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month as the date of the commemoration.
After the August Revolution in 1945, the anniversary continued to hold great significance. In 1946, Vice President Huynh Thuc Khang represented the government in offering incense at the Hung Kings’ Temple, demonstrating the nation’s reverence for its ancestors.

Significance of the Hung Kings’ Anniversary

The Hung Kings’ Anniversary is not only a time to honor the founders of the Vietnamese nation but also an expression of the Vietnamese people’s core value of “drinking water, remembering its source” (Uong nuoc nho nguon).
It is a day for national unity and pride in the country’s heritage.
In 2012, UNESCO recognized the “Worship of the Hung Kings in Phu Tho” as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, affirming the deep cultural and spiritual significance of this tradition.

Hung Kings’ Temple Festival

The festival is held at the Hung Kings’ Temple complex in Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province.
The celebration lasts for several days and includes traditional ceremonies such as incense offerings and royal palanquin processions.
Additionally, cultural performances and folk games attract large crowds of local people and tourists.
The Hung Kings’ Anniversary serves as a moment for all Vietnamese people, no matter where they are, to remember their roots, pay tribute to their ancestors, and preserve their national cultural identity.