President offers incense to commemorate Hung Kings

The incense offering ceremony begins at 7:30 a.m. with the sound of ceremonial music, gongs, and drums echoing throughout Nghia Linh mountain.

At exactly 7:30 a.m. on April 28 (March 10, At Mui year), at Kinh Thien Palace on the top of Nghia Linh Mountain in the Hung Kings Temple National Historical Site, on behalf of the people of the whole country and overseas Vietnamese, Phu Tho province and 5 provinces representing the 3 regions of the North, Central and South solemnly held an incense offering ceremony to commemorate the Hung Kings. Attending the incense offering ceremony were President Truong Tan Sang and representatives of leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies and people from all walks of life.

Delegates attend the incense offering ceremony to commemorate Hung Kings

The incense offering ceremony began at 7:30 a.m. with the sound of ceremonial music, gongs, and drums echoing throughout Nghia Linh Mountain. The incense offering procession with solemn honor guard, respectful ceremonial music, and splendid flags and banners departed from the festival center yard through the Nghi Mon gate, Ha temple, Trung temple, and up to Thuong temple.

Leading the way was the honor guard carrying the national flag, festival flags and wreaths bearing the words "Forever grateful to the Hung Kings for their contributions to building the country". Following them were young women in traditional red ao dai carrying incense, flowers, offerings and a team of 100 young men, symbolizing a hundred children born from a hundred eggs, in ancient costumes, holding high the festival flags, showing the strong vitality of the Dragon Fairy lineage.

President Truong Tan Sang burns incense at Thuong Temple

Following the band and the procession carrying the offerings was the delegation of leaders from the Party, the State, central and local agencies and the people attending the Hung Kings' death anniversary. At Kinh Thien Palace on the top of Nghia Linh Mountain, the incense offering ceremony in memory of the Hung Kings officially began.

Before the souls of the Hung Kings, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Tho Province Chu Ngoc Anh - Head of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Ceremony in the year of the Goat 2015 read the Congratulation Letter expressing pride in the glorious tradition of 4000 years of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people; respectfully remembering and being grateful for the merits of ancestors; respectfully reporting to the souls of predecessors about the great achievements that the entire Party, people and army of Vietnam have achieved in the cause of innovation, integration and development of the country. Affirming that generations of Lac Hong descendants will always promote the spirit of the Hung Kings, unite in one heart, forever follow the path that the Party and beloved Uncle Ho have chosen, determined to build the country of Vietnam increasingly strong and prosperous, contributing to peace and friendship around the world.

“Great is the National Ancestor, who built the foundation with great merit. Wise is Uncle Ho, who passed on all his wisdom to posterity. We vow: to build a strong and prosperous country, to live in peace and friendship with humanity, to shine forever the quintessence of Hong Lac, and to uphold the mighty spirit of Hung Vuong!”

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, delegates and people from all walks of life offered incense, flowers, gifts, and incense sticks to commemorate and pay tribute to the ancestors who founded the nation; praying for national peace and prosperity, peace for all families, prosperity and longevity for the country.

President Truong Tan Sang offers incense at the Upper Palace

Afterwards, the delegates offered flowers at the relief depicting Uncle Ho talking to the vanguard soldiers. At the end of the ceremony, visitors from all over the country crowded the Upper Temple and other temples in the relic site to burn incense in memory of the Hung Kings who built the country.

Tens of thousands of people attended the Hung Kings' Commemoration Ceremony 2015

Following the ceremony, the festival took place with many activities such as: Photo exhibition of worshiping beliefs with Hung Kings, Cultural camp, Xoan singing and Phu Tho folk song festival; bronze drum beating, stabbing, lion dance; mass sports competitions such as traditional wrestling, chess, crossbow shooting. In particular, this year's festival had the participation of 5 provinces participating in the anniversary including: Son La, Phu Yen, Bac Lieu, Dak Nong and Tien Giang, bringing many unique art performances such as: Don ca tai tu, cai luong, traditional music and dance..../.

According to VOV