VietNamNet Bridge – An annual pilgrim festival dedicated to the Hung kings will be organised between April 1 and 6 and hosted by the northern province of Phu Tho.

Symbolic traditional round and square sticky rice cakes are offered to Hung kings during a worship ceremony held at the annual Hung Temple Festival.

Four localities -- Ha Noi City, northern Thai Binh Province, southern Ben Tre Province and Binh Phuoc Province – will cooperate in organising the festival.

The plan was drafted at a meeting hosted recently by Phu Tho Province’s leaders and representatives from concerned localities.

Various cultural activities will take place at the Hung Temple Complex, Viet Tri City and relic sites dedicated to Hung kings and cultural figures of the era throughout Phu Tho Province.

Worship ceremonies, contests to make traditional square cakes and round glutinous cakes, an exhibition featuring local agricultural products, a tennis tournament and art shows will be highlights of the event.

Singers, dancers and puppeteers from Ha Noi City and Thai Binh Province will perform during the festival.

The organising board reaffirmed it would organise a safe, economical and successful festival.

Legend has it that the first Hung King was the eldest son of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, who came to power in 2879 BC. He ruled an area covering what is now North Viet Nam and parts of southern China. The area was called Van Lang and is regarded as the first nation of the Vietnamese people.

Each year, the key ceremony takes place at the Hung Temple on Nghia Linh Mountain in Phu Tho Province, some 85km northwest of Ha Noi, where Hung kings built imperial citadel as legends said.

A procession starts at the foot of the mountain and stops at every temple on the ascent. The pilgrims then offer prayers and incense to the Hung kings on reaching the Hung Temple.

VNS