Hung King's Temple Festival (Vinh Phu)

Sunday, 20 June 2010 21:10

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 September 2010 15:00

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The Hung King's Temple Festival (Vinh Phu), Vietnam is held to worship the Hung Kings, who played an important role in establishing the nation. It takes place from the 9th to the 11th of the third month of the lunar calendar in the Thuong Temple. The Huong Kings worshiped their deities in this temple located in the Nghia Linh Mountain in the Hy Lang Commune of the Phong Chau District in Phu Tho Province. Today the Hung King's Temple Festival (Vinh Phu) has become one of the major Vietnam festivals and events.

The ceremony comprises of a lavish feast of five fruits and rice dumpling. The rice dumplings are added to remind the people of the 18th Hung King, Lang Lieu, who is said to have introduced these rice cakes. The inclusion of rice in the Hung King's Temple Festival (Vinh Phu) also honors the kings of the Hung dynasty who taught the people to cultivate rice.

Hung King's Temple Festival (Vinh Phu) witnesses stage processions for the deities. These processions held in Tien Chong, Hy Chong, Phuong Giao and Co Tich Villages include the elephant march and the procession chair. Once the procession is over the festival indulges itself in music among other activities, like a Xoan song performance in the Huong Temple and Ca Tru, a kind of classical opera, in the Ha Temple.

To the Vietnamese the Hung King's Temple Festival (Vinh Phu) is an occasion to show their love and pride for their country, and to make a sacred journey back to the time of the beginning of their homeland and their culture.