Legendary nation founders festival to promote culture, tourism values

File photo (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  (VNA) – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of the northern province of Phu Tho on April 13 held a press conference on the organisation of Hung Kings Temple festival and “Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week”.

The events are slated to take place from April 21 to 28 in Phu Tho province’s Viet Tri city to commemorate the legendary founders of the Vietnamese nation.

The ministry and the committee will co-organise the performance of UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritages from April 21-24 with the participation of artisans, practitioners, and communities in provinces and cities that are home to intangible cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, local authorities and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO will coordinate to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Convention 2003). The celebration is part of Vietnam’s action plan during its membership of the intergovernmental committee for the UNESCO Convention.

Other activities include a workshop on promoting the role of cultural heritage associated with tourism development and an exhibition on cultural heritage, tourism in the capital regions of Vietnam.

The commemoration of the Hung Kings comes on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 29 this year and is a national holiday. The practice of worshiping them in Phu Tho province was recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2012.

Main rituals during the event include ceremonies to offer incense to Lac Long Quan and Au Co - the progenitors of Vietnam - as well as flower offerings at the monument featuring President Ho Chi Minh talking with soldiers from the Vietnam People’s Army./.