A group of overseas Vietnamese from all over the world offered incense to the Hung Kings at the Hung Temple in Viet Tri city, the northern province of Phu Tho, on April 8, as the main commemoration of the legendary nation founder is nearing.

“Although living far away from the homeland, we are always proud of being Vietnamese and hope to pay tribute to the Hung Kings at least once in our lives,” said 71-year-old Dinh Van Moi who has lived in Thailand for 69 years.

Pham Minh Tiem, living in Australia , said he is delighted that the Hung Kings worship ritual has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity which helps overseas Vietnamese get a better understanding of the ritual and join hands together in preserving it.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, the overseas Vietnamese’s tour, held with assistance from the government, manifests the national tradition of respecting ancestors, while showing the Party and State’s attention to the Vietnamese community abroad.

Son, who is also head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, affirmed that the Vietnamese communities in foreign countries are an indispensable part of the nation as they serve as a bridge connecting their homeland and their host countries.

During their stay in Vietnam, the group will also visit soldiers and locals in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago.-VNA