Why Vietnam Honours the Hung Kings

Introduction

The worship of the Hng Kings occupies a distinctive place in Vietnamese culture because it treats the nations origin story as a living family inheritance rather than a distant myth. In Vietnamese tradition, the Hng Kings are remembered as the founding rulers of the ancient state of Vn Lang and as the common ancestors of the Vietnamese people. Their story is closely linked to the famous legend of the dragon lord Lc Long Qun and the fairy mother u C, whose descendants are said to have become the ancestors of Vietnam. Today, that ancestral narrative is not merely retold in books or folklore collections. It is expressed through pilgrimage, offerings, festivals, temple rituals and a national day of commemoration that draws people back to what many describe as the symbolic roots of the nation.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHWorship of Hùng kings in Phú ThọThe tradition embodies spiritual solidarity and provides an occasion to acknowledge national or…

The tradition is especially important because it sits at the meeting point of folklore, ancestor veneration, national memory and public ritual. UNESCO recognised the Worship of Hng Kings in Ph Th as an element of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012, noting its role in expressing national origins, cultural identity and social solidarity.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHWorship of Hùng kings in Phú ThọThe tradition embodies spiritual solidarity and provides an occasion to acknowledge national or…

The ancestral founders in Vietnamese legend

At the heart of Hng Kings worship is a powerful ancestry narrative. According to Vietnamese legend, the dragon-associated Lc Long Qun and the fairy-like u C became the parents of a hundred children. The story explains that some descendants followed their father towards the coast while others followed their mother into the mountains, creating a symbolic origin for the diverse communities that would eventually form the Vietnamese people. The Hng Kings are traditionally presented as descendants of this union and as the rulers who established the first Vietnamese state.[vietnamlawmagazine.vn]vietnamlawmagazine.vnhung kings temple in the ancestral land of vietnamese people 79303Hung Kings Temple in the ancestral land of Vietnamese…25 Apr 2026 — Legend has it that they were the descendants of Lac Long Quan and…

For folklorists, the importance of this legend lies less in historical proof than in cultural meaning. The tale links mountains and waterways, two landscapes that have shaped Vietnamese life for centuries. It also offers an explanation for national unity: although people may come from different regions, they share common ancestors. The story therefore functions both as mythology and as a statement about belonging.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHWorship of Hùng kings in Phú ThọThe tradition embodies spiritual solidarity and provides an occasion to acknowledge national or…

Unlike many founding myths that remain confined to literature, the Hng Kings narrative became embedded in ritual life. Temples dedicated to the Hng Kings and figures associated with their era appear across Vietnam, but the most important concentration is in Ph Th Province, widely regarded as the ancestral homeland of the tradition.[vietnamplus.vn]en.vietnamplus.vnhung kings temple historical relic site post265195.vnpVietnam+ (VietnamPlus)Hung Kings Temple historical relic siteApr 28, 2023 — A festival to honour and showcase Vietnam's UNESCO-recognised…

How a national origin myth became a living tradition

Ancestor worship has long been a central feature of Vietnamese culture, but Hng Kings worship expands the idea from the family level to the national level. Scholars have noted that the tradition effectively creates a form of collective ancestor veneration in which the founders of the nation are honoured as shared forebears. This helps explain why the practice resonates far beyond a single temple or locality.[IJSSHR]ijsshr.inThe Universality of Belief of Worshiping Hung Kings in the…August 18, 2022 — 8 Aug 2022 — Stemming from the geo-political and ge…Published: August 18, 2022

Historical dynasties encouraged reverence for the Hng Kings, and later governments continued to support commemorations. Over time, the tradition evolved from local worship into a symbol of national continuity. Historical records and official commemorations repeatedly presented the Hng Kings as the forefathers of the Vietnamese people, reinforcing the connection between ancestry and national identity.[VOV.VN]english.vov.vnworship of the hung kings the mainstay of great national unity post1017111.vovof the Hung Kings – the mainstay of great national…Apr 30, 2023 — The worship of the Hung Kings in Phu Tho province was inscribed on t…

What makes the tradition especially notable in folklore studies is its durability. While many origin myths survive mainly through storytelling, the Hng Kings remain part of annual ritual practice. UNESCO highlighted that ceremonies, offerings, pilgrimages and associated performances continue to be maintained by local communities and ritual specialists across numerous villages.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHDecision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 7.COM 11.36R.1: The worship of Hùng kings includes ceremonies, offerings, pilgrima…

The temple festival and public ritual

The most visible expression of the tradition is the Hng Kings Temple Festival in Ph Th. The main commemoration takes place on the tenth day of the third lunar month, although festival activities extend across several days. Pilgrims travel to the temple complex on Ngha Lnh Mountain to offer incense, honour the ancestral founders and pray for prosperity, health and favourable conditions for the coming year.[unesco.org]unesco.orgdocument 3768Worship of Hùng Kings In Phú Tho | Intangible HeritageDec 4, 2014 — Annually, millions of people converge on the Hùng temple at Ngh…

The rituals include formal processions, ceremonial offerings and acts of remembrance. UNESCO describes the tradition as involving ceremonies, pilgrimages and cultural performances maintained by communities in Ph Th and elsewhere in Vietnam. The festival therefore combines religious devotion, local custom and public celebration.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHDecision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 7.COM 11.36R.1: The worship of Hùng kings includes ceremonies, offerings, pilgrima…

Several features make the festival memorable:

• Pilgrimage to ancestral sites: Visitors climb towards the temples associated with the Hng Kings and their legendary era.[Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)]en.vietnamplus.vnhung kings temple historical relic site post265195.vnpVietnam+ (VietnamPlus)Hung Kings Temple historical relic siteApr 28, 2023 — A festival to honour and showcase Vietnam's UNESCO-recognised…
• Incense offerings: Families, officials and community groups present offerings to honour the founders.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHWorship of Hùng kings in Phú ThọThe tradition embodies spiritual solidarity and provides an occasion to acknowledge national or…
• Traditional performances: Folk music, ritual performances and community celebrations accompany the commemorations.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHDecision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 7.COM 11.36R.1: The worship of Hùng kings includes ceremonies, offerings, pilgrima…
• National participation: Pilgrims arrive not only from Ph Th but from throughout Vietnam and from overseas Vietnamese communities.[VNA News]vietnam.vnanet.vnhung kings commemoration features traditional values national spirit 442297VNA NewsHung Kings Commemoration Features Traditional Values…24 Apr 2026 — Each year, in the third lunar month, streams of people from…

The atmosphere is often described as both sacred and communal. People come to honour ancestors, but they also participate in a collective reaffirmation of shared origins.[UNESCO ICH]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHWorship of Hùng kings in Phú ThọThe tradition embodies spiritual solidarity and provides an occasion to acknowledge national or…

Why origin stories still matter today

The continuing importance of Hng Kings worship reveals how Vietnamese folklore remains intertwined with everyday cultural life. The tradition reinforces a widely recognised moral idea often summarised as remembering one’s source and showing gratitude to those who came before. In this sense, the Hng Kings are not simply legendary rulers; they represent ancestry itself.[vnanet.vn]happyvietnam.vnanet.vnWorship of Hung Kings – Nurturing national culture, solidarityApr 7, 2025 — Since the practice of worshipping the Hung Kings in Phu Tho w…

Modern commemorations also demonstrate how folklore adapts to contemporary society. Educational programmes, heritage projects and cultural festivals help transmit the tradition to younger generations. Local authorities and cultural organisations continue to document rituals and support community participation, ensuring that the practice remains active rather than merely preserved as a museum piece.[vnanet.vn]happyvietnam.vnanet.vnWorship of Hung Kings – Nurturing national culture, solidarityApr 7, 2025 — Since the practice of worshipping the Hung Kings in Phu Tho w…

For many Vietnamese people, the Hng Kings provide a symbolic answer to a simple but powerful question: where do we come from? The folklore surrounding them offers a shared ancestry that connects mountains and coastlines, villages and cities, the living and the dead. Through annual rituals and collective remembrance, the founding legends of Vietnam continue to function as part of the country’s cultural present rather than only its mythic past.[unesco.org]ich.unesco.orgUNESCO ICHWorship of Hùng kings in Phú ThọThe tradition embodies spiritual solidarity and provides an occasion to acknowledge national or…

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to Why Vietnam Honours the Hung Kings. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

Book

The Dragon Prince

By Thich Nhat Hanh

Connects directly to the ancestry narratives behind the Hùng Kings.

See on Amazon

Book

Vietnam

By Christopher Goscha

Provides historical framing for founder traditions and national memory.

See on Amazon

Book

The Dragon Prince: Stories and Legends from Vietnam

By Thich Nhat Hanh

Connects directly to the ancestry narratives behind the Hùng Kings.

See on Amazon

Book

Imagined Communities

By Benedict Anderson

Helps explain how shared origin stories support national identity.

See on Amazon

Browse more on Amazon:The Dragon PrinceVietnamThe Dragon Prince: Stories and Legends from Vietnam

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Endnotes

1. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/worship-of-hung-kings-in-phu-th-00735

2. Source: en.vietnamplus.vn
Title: hung kings temple historical relic site post265195.vnp
Link:https://en.vietnamplus.vn/hung-kings-temple-historical-relic-site-post265195.vnp

3. Source: english.vov.vn
Title: worship of the hung kings the mainstay of great national unity post1017111.vov
Link:https://english.vov.vn/en/society/worship-of-the-hung-kings-the-mainstay-of-great-national-unity-post1017111.vov

4. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions/7.COM/11.36

5. Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn
Link:https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/post/5366

6. Source: vietnamlawmagazine.vn
Title: hung kings temple in the ancestral land of vietnamese people 79303
Link:https://vietnamlawmagazine.vn/hung-kings-temple-in-the-ancestral-land-of-vietnamese-people-79303.html

7. Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn
Title: VNA News Hung Kings Worship
Link:https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/english/tin-tuc/hung-kings-worship-a-source-of-strength-for-the-nation-44060.html

8. Source: asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn
Link:https://asemconnectvietnam.gov.vn/default.aspx?ID1=2&ID8=128612&ZID1=62

9. Source: ijsshr.in
Link:https://ijsshr.in/v5i8/Doc/40.pdf

Published: August 18, 2022

10. Source: unesco.org
Title: document 3768
Link:https://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/document-3768

11. Source: Wikipedia
Title: Hùng Kings’ Festival
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B9ng_Kings%27_Festival

12. Source: vietnam.vnanet.vn
Title: hung kings commemoration features traditional values national spirit 442297
Link:https://vietnam.vnanet.vn/english/print/hung-kings-commemoration-features-traditional-values-national-spirit-442297.html

13. Source: vietnamlawmagazine.vn
Title: hung kings temple festival 2023 kicks off 69759
Link:https://vietnamlawmagazine.vn/hung-kings-temple-festival-2023-kicks-off-69759.html

14. Source: happyvietnam.vnanet.vn
Link:https://happyvietnam.vnanet.vn/en/worship-of-hung-kings-nurturing-national-culture-solidarity/42163.html

15. Source: phuthodfa.gov.vn
Link:https://phuthodfa.gov.vn/the-hung-king-worship-has-been-honored-by-unesco-for-11-years/9540/index.html

16. Source: phutho.gov.vn
Link:https://phutho.gov.vn/art-program-associated-with-the-10th-anniversary-of-unesco-s-registration-of-hung-king-worship-in-phu-tho-as-a-representative-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity-101572

17. Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn
Link:https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/post/5763

18. Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn
Link:https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/post/21534

19. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/video/13220

20. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/en/11-representative-list-00520?id=00735&include=slideshow_inc.php

21. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/doc/src/16656.pdf

22. Source: ich.unesco.org
Link:https://ich.unesco.org/?call=film&id=13219&include=film_inc.php&width=700

23. Source: Wikipedia
Link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worship

24. Source: mytigertour.com
Title: national origins and sources of Vietnamese cultural and moral identity.Read more
Link:https://www.mytigertour.com/blog/worship-of-hung-kings-intangible-cultural-heritage-of-humanity

25. Source: vietnamtoday.vtv.vn
Title: Vietnam Today Hùng Kings Commemoration: A living heritage
Link:https://vietnamtoday.vtv.vn/hung-kings-commemoration-a-living-heritage-100260427093835064.htm

26. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/UNESCOinVietNam/

27. Source: vivutravel.com
Title: Worship of Hung kings in Phu Tho Province
Link:https://www.vivutravel.com/vietnam-travel-destinations/world-heritages-in-vietnam/intangible-cultural-heritage-forms/worship-of-hung-kings-in-phu-tho-province

Additional References

28. Source: researchgate.net
Link:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356754202_Cultural_values_of_Hung_Kings_worship_in_Vietnam

29. Source: inspiringvacations.com
Link:https://www.inspiringvacations.com/au/blog/festivals-events/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-hung-kings-festival?srsltid=AfmBOoq0exQGjg2yah4GjJLFd7ljKTvuIrGAdHX9Z5Gm98D5q1A17VV7

30. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/aseansecretariat/posts/on-hung-kings-commemoration-day-people-of-across-viet-nam-pay-tribute-to-the-leg/1377973287691268/

31. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/vietnamtodayinternational/posts/the-h%C3%B9ng-kings-commemoration-held-annually-on-the-10th-day-of-the-third-lunar-mo/1825312955441701/

32. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn_jD3uVeSc

33. Source: youtube.com
Title: The Legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co – The Origins of the Vietnamese People
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6id1e208aGc

34. Source: youtube.com
Title: Hùng Kings Commemoration: A living heritage
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et44QvP13Xs

35. Source: youtube.com
Title: Worship of Hùng kings in Phú Thọ
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAhhNlJcW-s

36. Source: youtube.com
Title: The Legend of Lac Long Quan & Au Co | Dragon and Fairy Ancestors of Vietnam
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gTEzsrsIng