Hung Kings’ Festival In Vietnam

The Hung Kings Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương) is one of the most important national holidays in Vietnam. Celebrated on the 10th day of the third lunar month, the festival honors the Hùng Kings - the legendary founders of the first Vietnamese state, Văn Lang. More than a traditional ceremony, it is a powerful symbol of national unity and the Vietnamese spirit of remembering one’s roots.

To fully understand the meaning of this sacred day, we must journey back thousands of years into the myths, legends, and early history that shaped the identity of the Vietnamese people.

Origins of the Vietnamese People

According to Vietnamese legend, the origins of the nation begin with Kinh Duong Vuong, considered the first ruler of an ancient land called Xich Quy. This early realm is often described as a vast territory covering parts of present-day northern Vietnam and southern China, particularly south of the Yangtze River, and is believed to have existed around the first millennium BCE in legendary accounts. His lineage continued through Lac Long Quan, a powerful dragon lord associated with the sea.

Lac Long Quan later married Au Co, a fairy from the mountains. She gave birth to a sac of one hundred eggs, which hatched into one hundred children. This story, known as “Children of the Dragon and Fairy,” symbolizes the shared origin of the Vietnamese people and is often regarded as the mythical beginning of the Baiyue (Bach Viet) communities in the region.

Lac Long Quan and Au Co eventually parted ways, each returning to their respective realms. Half of the children followed their father to the sea, while the other half followed their mother to the mountains, reflecting the early distribution of Vietnamese communities across different geographical regions. Before departing, Lac Long Quan appointed the eldest son to rule the land, who later became the first Hung King and founded the state of Van Lang.

The Hung Kings Era

The eldest son became the first Hung King and established the ancient state of Van Lang. This marked the beginning of the Hung Kings era, considered the foundation of Vietnamese civilization. According to legend, Van Lang existed for more than 2,600 years, from around 2879 BCE to 258 BCE.

There were traditionally eighteen generations of Hung Kings who ruled the country, with their capital located at Phong Chau, in present-day Phu Tho Province. This long lineage reflects the continuity and stability of early Vietnamese society in its legendary form.

During this period, society was based largely on wet rice agriculture. The people of Van Lang cultivated rice, developed irrigation practices, and formed early village communities along rivers. They were also skilled in bronze casting, with the Dong Son bronze drums representing a peak of craftsmanship, as well as in producing tools and decorative artifacts.

The Hung Kings era came to an end with the rise of An Duong Vuong, who established the kingdom of Au Lac and built Co Loa Citadel, marking a transition toward a more historically documented period.

Vietnamese Legends from the Hung Kings Era

The Hung Kings era is rich in legends that have been passed down through generations, reflecting the strong sense of unity among the early Vietnamese communities.

The Legend of the Hundred Eggs (Origin of the Baiyue People)

According to legend, Lac Long Quan married Au Co, who gave birth to a sac of one hundred eggs that hatched into one hundred sons, regarded as the ancestors of the Baiyue (Bach Viet) people. Lac Long Quan appointed the eldest son as the first Hung King to rule the land, then took fifty sons to the sea while Au Co led the remaining fifty to the mountains.

The Hung King established the state of Van Lang, with its capital at Phong Chau (present-day Phu Tho). Successive rulers all bore the title of Hung King, forming a lineage of eighteen generations.

The Legend of Phu Dong Thien Vuong (Thanh Giong) – Defending the Nation

This legend tells of the mythical hero Thanh Giong, who rode an iron horse, wore iron armor, and wielded an iron rod to defeat the invading An forces during the reign of the sixth Hung King. After his victory, he ascended to the sky from the summit of Soc Son Mountain.

This legend is associated with Soc Temple in Soc Son, believed to be the place where he ascended.

The Legend of Banh Chung and Banh Giay – Symbol of Heaven and Earth

The sixth Hung King sought to choose a worthy successor and organized a contest. Prince Lang Lieu created banh chung and banh giay from glutinous rice. Impressed by his filial devotion and the symbolic meaning of the cakes, the king passed the throne to him.

This legend explains the origin of traditional Vietnamese cakes, especially banh chung, a well-known cultural symbol of Vietnam.

The Legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh – Explaining Floods

To choose a husband for his daughter My Nuong, the eighteenth Hung King set a challenge: whoever could bring rare offerings first—nine-tusked elephants, nine-spur chickens, and nine-maned horses—would win her hand. Son Tinh (the Mountain God) arrived first and married her.

Enraged, Thuy Tinh (the Water God) unleashed floods in retaliation. Son Tinh, with the help of the people, resisted and drove back the waters.

This legend is associated with Son Tinh, also known as Tan Vien Son Thanh, one of the Four Immortals of Vietnam, whose temples still exist in Ba Vi.

The Legend of Chu Dong Tu – Love and Transformation

During a journey, Princess Tien Dung, daughter of the eighteenth Hung King, met and married a poor fisherman named Chu Dong Tu. Together, they worked hard, studied spiritual teachings, and were granted sacred treasures.

However, the king suspected them of rebellion and sent troops to capture them. Miraculously, the land where they lived rose into the sky, leaving behind a vast marsh known as Nhat Da Trach.

This legend is associated with Chu Dong Tu, one of the Four Immortals of Vietnam.

The Legend of the Oath Stone

It is said that when Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong received the throne from the eighteenth Hung King, he swore to protect the nation and to forever honor and worship the Hung Kings.

The Legend of Mai An Tiem – Self-Reliance and Perseverance

Because of his statement "What is given is a burden," Mai An Tiem, an adopted son of the Hung King, was exiled to a deserted island. There, he discovered seeds, cultivated them, and grew watermelons—sweet and refreshing fruits that sustained him.

His resilience and ingenuity earned him the king’s trust, and he was eventually allowed to return.

The Legend of Betel and Areca – Love and Brotherhood

This story tells of two devoted brothers and a woman whose relationships led to a tragic separation. After their deaths, they were transformed into a betel vine, an areca tree, and limestone, which together form the traditional betel quid.

The legend explains the custom of chewing betel and areca in Vietnam, symbolizing deep bonds between husband and wife as well as between siblings.

Many of these legends are not just stories but are deeply rooted in real locations across Vietnam, where temples and festivals continue to honor these ancient figures.

What Is Hung Kings Commemoration Day?

Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a national holiday dedicated to honoring the Hung Kings as the founding ancestors of Vietnam. It reflects the Vietnamese tradition of remembering one’s roots and expressing gratitude to previous generations.

Where Is It Celebrated?

The main celebration takes place at Hung Temple in Phu Tho Province. This sacred site attracts millions of visitors each year who come to offer incense and pay their respects.

Ceremonies are also held in many other locations across Vietnam, showing the nationwide importance of this day.

When and How the Festival Takes Place

The main event is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month, although activities often begin several days earlier. The highlight is the incense offering ceremony, conducted with solemn rituals and traditional processions.

Main Activities

Rituals

• Incense offering ceremonies
• Traditional processions
• Ancestral worship rituals

Festival Activities

• Folk singing performances such as Xoan singing
• Traditional games and competitions
• Cultural exhibitions

Travel Tips for Visitors

• Arrive early to avoid large crowds
• Dress respectfully when visiting temples
• Prepare offerings if you wish to participate in rituals
• Be mindful of peak hours during the main ceremony

Food and Local Specialties

Visitors can enjoy traditional foods such as banh chung and banh giay, which are closely connected to the legends of the Hung Kings and remain essential dishes during Vietnamese celebrations.

Cultural Significance Today

Hung Kings Commemoration Day is more than a historical event. It is a powerful symbol of national unity, cultural identity, and pride. The legends and traditions associated with this day continue to shape Vietnamese society and connect generations across time.

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