Vietnam celebrates the Hung Kings’ Festival from the eighth to eleventh day of the third lunar month. This year, it occurs from April 28 to April 28. Even though celebrations continue throughout the week, the primary festival day is a public holiday and, of course, the most energetically celebrated. On this day, people of all ages gather to celebrate, dance, dine, and observe several Vietnamese cultural traditions. This is necessary to commemorate the anniversary of the deaths of the Hung Kings. Have you made any special preparations for the festival? Then why not travel to Vietnam?
The background of Hung Kings Festival
The Hung Kings have a long history in Vietnam and are recognised as one of the primary forces responsible for establishing the country’s independence. The 18th generation of monarchs is responsible for instilling the nation with a distinct identity and patriotism. They ruled the land between 2879 and 258 B.C.
According to legend, the Hung King, Lac Long Quan, was the offspring of an oceanic dragon and possessed superhuman strength. When he assumed the throne and decided to marry as the next logical step, a peculiar event transpired. His earth-dwelling fairy wife Au Co became expectant and gave birth to a sac made of membrane.
The sac continued to expand for seven days before bursting. One hundred embryos hatched into one hundred infants! It is also believed that the descendants of Lac Long Quan and Au Co were Vietnam’s ancestors. Consequently, the Vietnamese are referred to as ‘Dragon and Fairy descendants.’ The Hung Kings taught locals how to cultivate damp rice and established numerous religious and cultural traditions. This includes the rituals conducted on Nghia Linh Mountain to pray for abundant harvests.
Although the festival’s official name is Death Anniversary of the Hung Kings, none of the kings perished on those dates. The festival’s sole purpose is to recognise the monarchs’ contributions to Vietnam’s success. Each year, the festival is commemorated by offering sacrifices at over 1,400 Hung Kings temples spread throughout Vietnam.
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HUNG KINGS FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
Float vanish
To fully appreciate the festival, spend the entire day dancing with your family or companions. You could entertain a small dinner at home before moving the celebration elsewhere. The purpose is to unwind and appreciate the culture.
Make an appearance
Are you interested in telling those around you the tale of the Hung Kings? Hold auditions and produce a tiny theatrical production. This will be especially advantageous for children.
Plan an excursion
Do you presently reside outside of Vietnam? Now is the ideal moment to plan a vacation. You will not only meet a large number of new people, but you will also encounter a distinct culture with exquisite traditions.
5 FACTS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT VIETNAM
In 2016, the country exported 348,000 tonnes of cashews and 180,000 tonnes of black peppercorns.
The Vietnamese consume ruou ran, a serpent wine believed to have medicinal and revitalising properties.
Vietnam is well-known for its large number of registered motorcycles, which exceeds 45 million.
Vietnam is home to Hang Son Doong, the longest cave in the world at approximately 9.5 kilometres.
One in three Vietnamese, or forty percent of the population, has the surname Nguyen.
HUNG KINGS FESTIVAL DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | April 11 | Monday |
2023 | April 28 | Friday |
2024 | April 18 | Thursday |
2025 | April 7 | Monday |
2026 | April 26 | Sunday |