Tens of thousands of people respectfully offered incense in memory of King Hung.

At exactly 7:30 a.m. on April 9 (March 10 of the lunar calendar), at Kinh Thien Palace on 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 4 provinces representing the North, Central and South solemnly held an incense offering ceremony to commemorate the Hung Kings.

Attending the incense offering ceremony were Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat Le Hong Anh; Politburo member, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan, along with representatives of leaders of ministries, branches, central agencies and people from all walks of life.

The incense offering procession 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 inscription "Forever grateful to the Hung Kings who built the country".

Party and State leaders offer incense to commemorate the Hung Kings. (Photo: Dan Tri)

At Kinh Thien Palace on Nghia Linh Mountain, the incense offering ceremony to commemorate 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 - the master of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Ceremony in the year of Giap Ngo 2014, read the Congregation expressing pride in the glorious tradition of 4,000 years of history 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.

“Great is the National Ancestor, who built the foundation with great merit. Wise is Uncle Ho, who passed on all his principles to posterity. We vow: to build a strong and prosperous country, to have peace and friendship with humanity, to shine forever the quintessence of Hong Lac, and to uphold the mighty spirit of Hung Vuong” - Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh read.

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, delegates and people from all walks of life offered incense, flowers, gifts, and incense sticks to commemorate and express gratitude to the Hung Kings who founded the nation; praying for national peace and prosperity, for the people, for the country's prosperity and longevity. Afterwards, delegates offered flowers at the bas-relief depicting Uncle Ho talking to the soldiers of the vanguard army.

At the end of the ceremony, visitors from all over the country crowded the Upper Temple and other temples in the relic site to light incense sticks in memory of the Hung Kings' contributions to building the country.

Ms. Ha Thi Luong, a Tay ethnic from Cao Bang, came back to the Hung Kings' death anniversary to share: "This year I am 70 years old. Every year I come back to the Hung Kings' death anniversary to light an incense stick to remember my ancestors and roots. I always hope that future generations will always remember their ancestors and roots to light incense and commemorate the Hung Kings' death anniversary. Because of the Hung Kings, we have our descendants today. We must make ourselves rich and this is the cultural heritage of the nation."

After the ceremony, in today's festival, there are many activities such as: Banh Chung and Banh Day cooking contest; bronze drum beating, stabbing, lion dance, Xoan singing; mass sports competitions such as traditional wrestling, chess. In particular, in this year's festival, there is the participation of 4 provinces including: Bac Ninh, Quang Binh, Vinh Long and Long An, bringing unique art performances such as: Don ca tai tu of Vinh Long and Long An provinces, Bac Ninh folk songs, Quang Binh folk songs../.

According to Hanoi Moi Online