President Vo Van Thuong offers incense on Hung Kings' death anniversary in 2023

On the morning of April 29 (March 10, Quy Mao year), at Kinh Thien Palace on the top of Nghia Linh mountain in the Hung Kings Temple National Historical Site, the Party Committee, government and people of Phu Tho province, on behalf of compatriots and soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese, solemnly held an incense offering ceremony to commemorate the Hung Kings. President Vo Van Thuong attended and offered incense.

Photo caption — President Vo Van Thuong and senior leaders of the Party and State at Thuong Temple.

Also attending the ceremony were Politburo members: Tran Thanh Man, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; General To Lam, Minister of Public Security; General Luong Cuong, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army. Also attending the ceremony were comrades: Bui Thi Minh Hoa, Secretary of the Central Committee, Head of the Central Committee for Mass Mobilization; Do Van Chien, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Tran Luu Quang, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister. Representatives of leaders of central agencies, provinces, cities and thousands of people were also present early to offer incense in memory of the Hung Kings.

At exactly 6:15, the delegates gathered in full force in front of the ceremony yard at the Hung Temple Festival Center. In a solemn atmosphere with majestic music, at 6:30, the delegation along with the ritual group, palanquin procession, and offerings departed from the Hung Temple Festival Center yard, gradually moving through the Nghi Mon, Ha Temple, Trung Temple to Thuong Temple.

Leading the procession is the honor guard carrying the national flag, festival flags and wreaths with the words "Forever grateful to the Hung Kings for their contributions to building the country". Following behind are young women wearing red ao dai carrying incense, flowers, offerings and 100 Lac and Hong descendants in ancient costumes, holding high festival flags, showing the strong vitality of the Dragon Fairy lineage, along with the palanquin procession offering incense, flowers, Chung cakes, and Day cakes associated with the legend of Prince Lang Lieu and the concept of Round Heaven - Square Earth of our ancestors.

Next came the delegation of leaders of the Party, State, central agencies, localities; leaders of Phu Tho province, departments, branches, unions, districts, cities, towns and people attending the incense offering ceremony.

At Kinh Thien Palace, on the sacred Nghia Linh mountain, with a sincere heart to pay tribute to the ancestors, demonstrating the Vietnamese people's morality of "When drinking water, remember its source", President Vo Van Thuong and other Party, State and local leaders went to the Upper Palace to offer incense and flowers, expressing deep gratitude to the ancestors who built the country so that their descendants could continue the Lac Hong tradition to build a rich and civilized Vietnam like today.

In the sacred moment of the anniversary of the death of the ancestors, millions of Vietnamese people at home and abroad, turn to Hung Temple with sincere hearts to remember and show gratitude for the merits of the Hung Kings, the ancestors who built and defended the country. On behalf of more than 90 million Vietnamese people, Mr. Bui Van Quang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Tho province, respectfully read the memorial service for the Hung Kings, expressing deep gratitude to the Hung Kings and the ancestors who built and defended the country; respectfully reporting to the souls of the ancestors about the great achievements that our entire Party, people and army have achieved in the cause of innovation, integration and development of the country. Remembering the ancestors, the Hung Kings who opened the source of the nation, established the Van Lang State, laying the foundation for the everlasting development of the nation and people.

In 2022 and the first months of 2023, the world situation continues to fluctuate in a complex and unpredictable manner. Besides opportunities and advantages, our country faces many difficulties and challenges; many new problems arising from practice need to be solved. In that context, under the leadership of the Party and State; the drastic and flexible direction and administration of the Government; the proactive, active and accompanying efforts of all levels, sectors and localities; and the solidarity and consensus of the entire people, our country has gradually overcome difficulties; effectively handled outstanding issues; promptly responded to emerging challenges; flexibly adapted to the new situation; created favorable conditions to promote socio-economic recovery and development. The macro economy is stable, inflation is controlled, economic growth recovers positively, major balances of the economy are ensured in difficult conditions. The cultural and social fields continue to receive investment and development attention, achieving many important results. The material and spiritual life of the people is constantly improving. Foreign relations and international integration continue to be implemented synchronously, comprehensively, flexibly and effectively. National defense and security are consolidated and enhanced; independence, sovereignty, a peaceful and stable environment are maintained. The country's potential, position and prestige, the combined strength of the nation and people are constantly enhanced; continuing to affirm the Party's leadership and wisdom and the strength of the great solidarity bloc of the entire Vietnamese people.

In front of the heroic spirits of our ancestors, the Party Committee, government and people of Phu Tho province vow to continue the tradition of the Dragon and Fairy, promote patriotism and revolutionary spirit; strive for the cause of building and defending the country of our ancestors. Continue to innovate thinking and act more positively and effectively, promote the will of self-reliance and the strength of great national unity, combine with the strength of the times, bring the country to develop more and more powerfully and prosperously, and glorify the nation. The Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups of Phu Tho province are honored to represent the people of the whole country and overseas Vietnamese to preserve the Ancestors' mausoleum. Vow to unite as one, build the homeland of our ancestors to be increasingly rich and strong; take care to renovate and embellish the place of worship for the descendants of Lac Hong to worship forever. The descendants of Lac Hong vow to forever remember the advice of President Ho Chi Minh: "The Hung Kings had the merit of building the country/We, your uncles and nephews, must work together to protect the country". May the Holy Ancestor bless the country with prosperity, peace, and security, and the longevity of all families. May the rains and winds be favorable, and the people and things flourish; may the whole country overcome difficulties and challenges, and successfully fulfill the set goals and tasks. May the descendants of Lac Hong in all parts of the country and our overseas compatriots always be healthy, peaceful, and enjoy peace.

Next, Party and State leaders and delegates laid wreaths and burned incense at Hung Kings' Mausoleum; offered flowers at the bas-relief of Uncle Ho talking to officers and soldiers of the Vanguard Army Corps at the Den Gieng Five-Way Intersection.

At the same time, in localities where there are temples dedicated to Hung Kings and famous people and generals of the Hung Kings' era across the country and throughout Phu Tho province, incense offering ceremonies were simultaneously held to commemorate the Hung Kings according to traditional rituals.

Immediately after the incense offering ceremony, millions of compatriots at home, overseas Vietnamese and international friends respectfully paid tribute to the merits of their ancestors, offered incense to commemorate the Hung Kings and participated in traditional cultural activities. To ensure absolute safety for the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day 2023, from 6 a.m., nearly 1,000 police officers, soldiers and youth union members were mobilized to maintain security and order for the incense offering ceremony. The Organizing Committee arranged for police forces and youth union members to set up soft fences on both sides from the central festival yard to the temple gate.

This year's Hung Kings' Commemoration Ceremony and the Ancestral Land Tourism Week coincide with the April 30 and May 1 holidays, so the number of tourists and people from all over the country coming to Hung Temple to participate in Ancestral Land activities has increased. On the main anniversary day, thousands of people were present early to offer incense. This year's Hung Kings' Commemoration Ceremony is associated with the 2023 Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week with many rich activities, demonstrating the unique cultural identity of the Ancestral Land. Phu Tho province has carefully prepared to ensure a solemn, respectful and respectful ceremony with a profound community character. The festival activities are organized in a joyful and healthy manner, closely linked with tourism, aiming to introduce, promote and honor the values of the unique cultural heritage of the Ancestral Land.