For thousands of years, the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day has not only been a special spiritual festival but also a symbol of the tradition of "remembering the source of water" and the spirit of national unity. Every March 10th of the lunar calendar, millions of Vietnamese people, wherever they are, turn to Phu Tho to pay tribute to the Hung Kings' merits in founding the country.
The folk song “Wherever you go, remember the death anniversary of the ancestors on the 10th of March” has been deeply engraved in the minds of many generations of Vietnamese people. That spirit is preserved in cultural life and at the same time becomes an important part of educating the younger generation. This is also the mission that Phu Tho province has carried out through integrating this cultural heritage into the local education program.
As the cradle of Lac Viet culture, Phu Tho is proud to be the place to preserve a rich heritage system, including three representative intangible cultural heritages of humanity recognized by UNESCO: Hung King worship, Xoan singing and Ca Tru. Taking advantage of that, the Department of Education and Training of Phu Tho province has implemented many teaching activities to preserve and promote the value of heritage, while at the same time inspiring patriotism and national pride in students.
The Hung Temple National Historical Site in Co Tich Village, Hy Cuong Commune, Viet Tri City is a place to worship the Hung Kings who founded the country. Photo: Phu Tho Provincial Portal.
In the new general education program, topics on the culture and history of the homeland are closely integrated into the curriculum at all levels. In primary school, second graders are introduced to the worship of the Hung Kings, while in middle school, they learn about the legend of the Hung Kings, the Hung Temple Festival and historical relics of the province. In high school, the curriculum focuses on intangible cultural heritage, traditional arts and methods of heritage conservation.
Practical activities were organized to help students experience and gain a deeper understanding of their homeland’s culture, beyond the theoretical scope. Students participated in tours of the Hung Temple relic site, learned how to wrap banh chung, listened to stories about Lang Lieu, and listened to Xoan singing at the Hung Lo ancient communal house. These activities were educational in nature, while also arousing a passion for learning about the nation’s history and culture.
The collaboration between the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province has expanded the scope of heritage education. Music teachers have been trained to teach Xoan singing to students. Some schools have adopted the “heritage school” model by combining classroom teaching with field trips to historical sites. As a result, students not only learn but also directly experience traditional cultural values.
Xoan singing in Phu Tho is a type of folk song with ritual and customary characteristics; originating from the Hung King era, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This art form is included in the local education program of Phu Tho province. Photo: Phu Tho Provincial Portal.
In the spirit of the National Death Anniversary, schools in the province have organized many meaningful events. From painting contests about the origin, Xoan singing performances, to art performances and cultural fairs, all activities are designed to help students understand and love the spiritual values of the homeland. These efforts not only contribute to preserving heritage but also affirm the important role of education in preserving national culture.
In particular, Viet Tri Industrial High School has made its mark with activities such as automatic explanations about heritage at the Hung Vuong Museum or guiding international tourists to learn about Xoan singing and Chung cake wrapping. These initiatives have turned each history, music or civics lesson into a journey to discover rich and vibrant heritage.
Traditional education in Phu Tho does not stop at inspiring national pride but also gives students a deep awareness of the responsibility to protect and promote cultural values. As Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quynh, Principal of Viet Tri Industrial High School, said, “Education about Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day not only helps students develop their personalities, but also builds a foundation of knowledge, bringing them closer to the heritage and culture of their homeland.”
In the future, the Department of Education and Training of Phu Tho province will continue to innovate and develop educational activities associated with heritage. These programs not only create a solid foundation for students to deeply understand the culture of the homeland, but also affirm Phu Tho as a model in integrating heritage into education. This contributes to bringing Vietnam's cultural heritage further on the world map.
Hoang Anh - SEAP
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