Thousands of Vietnamese people gathered at the Hung Kings' Temple Festival in Phu Tho Province on April 9 to pay tribute on the Death Anniversary of the Hung Kings.
The festival is held annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month in honour of Vietnam's traditional founders and its first emperors.
Member of the Politburo and Standing Secretary of Secretariat of the Central Committee Le Hong Anh, Member of the Politburo and Chair of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh and leaders of Phu Tho Province participated in the incense offering ceremony with thousands of local people.
The delegation started from the foot of Nghia Linh Mountain and moved up through Lower Temple, Middle Temple and Upper Temple along the way. On the front line were soldiers, holding the national and festival flags. About 14 women followed with incense, flowers and other offerings and 100 men held festival flags last.
The sounds of drums and gong surrounded the mountain at 7:34am to start the ceremony. Chu Ngoc Anh, chairman of Phu Tho Province People's Committee gave a speech about the efforts and achievements of the kings for founding and keeping the country and gratitude of the younger generations.
Hoang Phu Hoa, member of the manager board of Hung Kings' Temple complex said millions of pilgrims had arrived on the previous day. He also said over a million people will visit the temple today.
