The incense-offering ceremony was held today [April 29] in Nghia Linh Mountain in the northern province of Phu Tho, the land of the nation's founders, on the occasion of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day takes place on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 29 this year.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day aims to honor great contributions of the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Van Lang - the first State in Vietnam. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

In the early morning, the celebration marked the availability of ritual block, palanquin procession, offerings, national flag, festive flag, and a group of indigenous people in festive costumes carrying incense, flowers, and traditional offerings such as banh chung (squared glutinous rice cake), banh day (rounded cake), and others to perform the ritual.

The incense-offering ceremony takes place on the morning of April 29. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times

Other Hung Kings incense-offering ceremonies are also held at the same time in localities nationwide. 

Hung Kings is the title given to the ancient Vietnamese rulers of the Hong Bang period (2879-258 BC).

Legend has it that the eldest son of Lac Long Quan (son of Kinh Duong Vuong) and Au Co (the fairy daughter of De Lai) was made king. He named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (modern-day Viet Tri city), beginning the 18 dynasties of the Hung Kings.

The kings chose Nghia Linh Mountain, the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to the rice and sun deities to pray for healthy crops.
To honor their substantial contributions, a complex of temples dedicated to the kings was built on Nghia Linh Mountain, and the tenth day of the third lunar month serves as the national commemorative anniversary for the kings.

Attending the ceremony, State President Vo Van Thuong, Party and State officials, and leaders of Phu Tho province offered incense and flowers in tribute to Hung Kings, praying for the nation’s peace and prosperity.

The incense-offering ritual is in honor of the ancestors' protection of the nation.

On the occasion of the death anniversary of the Hung Kings which falls on April 29 this year, many Vietnamese people from across the country and abroad paid homage to the national founders at the temple complex.