The commemoration day of Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Vietnam, will be observed online throughout 42 countries and territories on April 10 or March 10 in the lunar calendar (the 10th day of the third lunar month).

As Vietnamese people turn their heads to Hung Kings’ Temple to pay tribute to the nation's founding fathers, overseas Vietnamese communities across the globe will also gather to commemorate the occasion.

A project to mark the anniversary globally was initiated by a number of scientists, intellectuals and leaders of Vietnamese associations in seven countries, with a view to fostering bonds among overseas Vietnamese.

Le Dinh Vu, president of the Vietnamese Association in Russia's Saint Petersburg, and the Vietnamese community held the Global Hung Kings' Commemoration Day on April 21, 2021 (March 10 in the lunar calendar). Photo: VNA

Besides, it is aimed at preserving the intangible cultural heritage of humanity and the worship rituals dedicated to Hung Kings.

Therefore, the commemoration is a special cultural event for not only the Vietnamese community abroad but also international friends.

This year’s event will feature rituals, art performances and a ceremony to honor outstanding Vietnamese abroad. It will be held in both online and offline formats, at https://www.facebook.com/quoctovietnamtoancau, and be broadcast on such TV channels as Hung King TV Global, HITV and Future Now.

Since its inception in 2005, apart from the commemoration of Hung Kings, a range of social and charitable activities have been held in Vietnam and several countries under the project.

The charitable activities included providing relief aid to flood victims in Vietnam's central region, granting scholarships to poor students and supporting the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Pham Cao Phong offers incense in commemoration of Hung Kings at Vietnam House in Canada. Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Canada

Hung Kings is the title given to the ancient Vietnamese rulers of the Hong Bang period (2879–258 BC). The worship rituals of the Hung Kings were recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.

Hung Kings' Temple Festival is a traditional festival that honors the first Kings of Vietnam. It's an occasion for every Vietnamese to remember their origin and express their respect as well as gratitude to the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. Therefore, it’s a national festival of Vietnam.

Hung Kings' Temple Festival takes place annually at Hung King Temple in Vietnam’s northern province of Phu Tho from the 8th to 11th day of the third lunar month. During the festival, many Vietnamese people from all over the country as well as Vietnamese people living abroad make a pilgrimage to Hung King Temple to take part in this historical festival.