The annual Hung Kings’ Temple Festival kicked off in the northernprovince of Phu Tho on April 5 (the sixth day of the third lunarmonth), beginning with two photo exhibitions.
Displaying 108 pictures by the province’s photographers, the exhibition“Phu Tho’s land and people” is bringing visitors an insight into thetraditional culture, festivals and relic sites of Vietnam’sancestral heartland.
Meanwhile, the worship ofHung Kings is also being introduced to visitors through 98 photos andobjects. The worshipping ritual was honoured by UNESCO as IntangibleCultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2012.
Thetwo exhibitions will last until April 9 and are expected to contributeto maintaining and promoting the province’s cultural values.
On the day, art performances, firework display and sport activities,including volleyball, crossbow shooting and traditional wrestling, werealso held to mark the festival.
The annual HungKings Temple Festival commemorates the 18 Hung Kings, the founders ofthe country and who started a golden age in Vietnamese history.Beginning as a local holiday, the ceremony was recognised as a nationalevent in 2007.
The ceremony takes place over severaldays, but the 10th day of the third lunar month is considered themost important one. It demonstrates a strong desire for nationalprosperity and symbolises community spirit. Coming to the festival is adeeply rooted custom in the minds of Vietnamese people in and outsidethe country
The Hung Kings complex is located onNghia Linh Mountain, Phong Chau district, about 100km northwest ofHanoi. It is a complex of ancient tombs, monuments and temples.-VNA