State President Truong Tan Sang offered incense to Vietnam’s founding fathers, Hung Kings, at the national historical relic site of the Hung Kings’ Temple in the northern province of Phu Tho on September 18.

After the ceremony at Kinh Thien Shrine on Nghia Linh Mountain, President Sang and leaders of Phu Tho province laid down wreaths of flowers in tribute to the late President Ho Chi Minh, who visited the Hung Kings’ Temple on September 19, 1954, after successfully leading the country’s nine-year resistance against French occupation.

During the visit, President Ho Chi Minh met with soldiers and officers of Tien Phong Division and advised them that “ the Hung Kings had made great efforts to found the nation, you and I have to work hard together to defend the nation” – these words that went down in history as part of the President’s teachings.

Phu Tho held a ceremony, featuring numerous performances, to celebrate the 60 years since President Ho Chi Minh’s visit.

The temple is located on Nghia Linh Mountain in Phong Chau district, Phu Tho province, approximately 100km northwest of Hanoi. It is a large complex comprising ancient tombs, monuments and temples.

In 2012, UNESCO recognised the worshipping of the Hung Kings as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.-VNA