Vietnamese Top Leader Leads Hùng Kings Commemoration Ceremony in Phú Thọ
Phú Thọ, The Gulf Observer: Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việtnam and State President, on Saturday led an incense offering ceremony in tribute to the Hùng Kings — the legendary founders of the Vietnamese nation — at the Kính Thiên Palace atop Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain in the northern province of Phú Thọ.
The solemn ceremony took place at the Hùng Kings Temple complex, a special national historical relic site, marking the Hùng Kings’ Commemoration Day, observed annually on the tenth day of the third lunar month.
Accompanied by Party and State leaders, as well as representatives from central and local authorities, Tô Lâm offered incense and flowers to honour the ancestors credited with laying the foundation for a prosperous and civilised Việt Nam.
Following the ceremony, the Vietnamese leader met with local residents and visitors, extending his greetings and best wishes for health, unity, and happiness. He described the commemoration as a deeply meaningful national occasion, reflecting gratitude to the nation’s founders and generations who contributed to building and defending the country.
Recalling the famous words of Hồ Chí Minh — “The Hùng Kings founded the nation; we must together protect it” — President Lâm emphasised the responsibility of current and future generations to safeguard and develop the country.
He noted that national protection today extends beyond territorial defence, encompassing the preservation of cultural values, environmental protection, maintenance of social order, strengthening of public trust, and ensuring sustainable national development.
The leader urged authorities and residents of Phú Thọ Province to continue preserving and enhancing the Hùng Kings Temple complex, ensuring it remains dignified, environmentally sustainable, safe, and welcoming. He also called on the youth to pursue education, uphold Vietnamese cultural values, and deepen their understanding of national history.
Tô Lâm further directed Party organisations, authorities, and mass organisations to remain responsive to public concerns, promote dialogue, and ensure that policies effectively reach all communities, particularly those in remote and disadvantaged areas.
During the festival period, he stressed the importance of maintaining security, public order, traffic safety, healthcare services, fire prevention, and environmental hygiene, ensuring a safe and well-organised experience for visitors.
He also called on the media to promote the cultural and historical significance of the festival, highlighting positive values, civilised behaviour, and the heritage of the ancestral land.
Later, the Vietnamese leader and accompanying officials paid tribute at sites associated with Hồ Chí Minh and honoured Lạc Long Quân, a legendary progenitor of the Vietnamese people.
The Hùng Kings are believed to have founded the ancient state of Văn Lang, marking the beginning of Vietnamese civilisation. Their legacy is commemorated annually, with the worship of the Hùng Kings recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
