VietNamNet Bridge - Affirming that the strange rock is not in the approved list of objects displayed at the Hung Kings Temple, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) has asked Phu Tho province to remove it out of the temple.

The strange rock at Hung Kings Temple

Mr. Phan Dinh Tan, a senior official from MoCST’s office said in late April, Phu Tho province sent a dispatch to the Ministry to consult the MoCST of the exotic rock in the Hung Kings Temple.

On May 14, Deputy Minister Dang Thi Bich Lien sent a reply dispatch, saying that the stone is not in the MoCST-approved list of exhibits displayed in the temple and the presence of the strange rock in the temple was not supported by the public opinion. Pursuant to the Law on Cultural Heritage, the Ministry asked Phu Tho authorities to remove the rock out of the temple and learn from experience in the protection and promotion of the values of the monument.

Before the Hung Kings Temple Festival, many visitors discovered a strange rock of about 50 cm high, in the form of a sail, placed on a platform in the Thuong Temple. The front and back of the rock have complicated ancient hieroglyphics and square patterns. Some said that this rock is a kind of strange enchantments that is not good.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cac, director of the Management Board of the Hung Kings Temple Relic, said this rock was donated by a Hanoi man named Kham in 2009, when the relic was repaired.

Cac’s predecessor, Mr. Nguyen Van Khoi, previously had to submit a written explanation to the authorities of Phu Tho province for admitting the strange rock. Cac said there is no ground to identify the rock as good or bad.

Some experts said that the rock may be an amulet praying for happiness and virtues. However, there are some details that they did not understand so it is the best to remove the rock out of the temple.

Hung King Temple is a complex of majestic buildings built in the 15th century to be dedicated to Hung Emperors. Located on Nghia Linh mountain, Hy Lang commune, Phong Chau district, Phu Tho province, it is also the place where the Hung King Temple Festival is held every year, reminding Vietnamese people of their origins of culture.

There are three main sites including Lower Temple, Middle Temple, Upper Temple respectively situated from the foot to the top of the mountain.

225 hike-up steps from Dai Mon Gate lies Lower Temple. According to the legend, it was the place where the primal mother Au Co giving birthday to a pouch of 100 eggs producing 100 children. Half of them followed their father Lac Long Quan down to the coastal area while 49 of them were led by their mother up to the mountainous region. There was still the eldest child left, Hung Vuong, to become the King who then set the capital in Phong Chau and named the country Van Lang.

The steps continue to the Middle Temple where Hung Kings took a rest and hold political meeting. On the summit of the mountain is Upper Temple where ceremonies were held to be dedicated to the gods of heaven and earth. Coming here can also be a chance to visit the 6th Hung King tomb.

At the foot of the mountain is the well filled with clean water throughout four seasons. It is also the worshipping place of the 18th Hung King's daughter, Ngoc Hoa and Tien Dung who were in the habit of brushing their hair and looking at themselves in the water of the well.

The Temple is known nationwide through the Hung King Temple Festival organized on the 10th of the lunar March which has become the national holiday from 2007. It is regarded as one of the most important and sacred festival in Vietnam showing Vietnamese people's love of their ancestral land.

Going beyond the purely destination for tourists near and far, Hung King Temple is the homeland that has long been embedded in every Vietnamese citizen's mind.

Compiled by T. Van