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As the new year approaches, every household reminisces the saying “No matter who travels in whichever direction/ Remember the Ancestors’ Day on the Tenth of March”. This is a day of mountains, rivers, and the entire nation, the descendants of the Dragon and Fairy. Despite the changes of time, Đền Hùng Festival remains a symbol of cultural significance, where the essence gathers and the cultural brilliance shines.
1. Time and Location of Đền Hùng Festival Celebration
1.1 Overview of the Timeframe for Đền Hùng Festival
Đền Hùng Festival will take place from the 6th to the 10th day of the 3rd Lunar Month. In 2024, Đền Hùng Festival falls on the 29th of April in the Gregorian calendar (corresponding to the 10th day of the 3rd Lunar Month, commemorating the Ancestors' Day of Hùng Kings). Particularly, this year's Ancestors' Day of Hùng Kings will be adjacent to the 48th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South on April 30th and International Workers' Day on May 1st.
Travelers can check in at the Historical Site of Đền Hùng in Phú Thọ.
Đền Hùng is located on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, Hy Cương Commune, Viet Tri City, Phú Thọ Province, where the annual national festival honoring the Hùng Kings, the founders of the nation, takes place.
The ritual ceremonies are solemnly organized on the main festival day (March 10th), starting with the incense offering represented by the state at the Upper Temple, where the ancient kings worshipped heaven and earth. Besides the five-fruit tray, there are also square and round glutinous rice cakes to recall the legend of Lang Liêu, reminding of the merit of the Hùng Kings who taught the people how to grow rice.
1.2 Specific Schedule of Events during Đền Hùng Festival
1.2.1 Part of the Ceremony
The ceremonial part of Đền Hùng Festival includes the ritualistic offering of flowers by delegations from the Party, Government, and provinces with utmost solemnity and reverence.
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From the 1st to the 5th day of the 3rd Lunar Month, there will be offerings presented by representatives from districts and municipalities near the Hùng Kings' temples.
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On the 6th day of the 3rd Lunar Month, it's the day for the Ceremony of Commemorating the Great Ancestor Lạc Long Quân and Offering Incense in memory of Mother Goddess Âu Cơ.
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On the 7th day of the 3rd Lunar Month, there will be a Procession to Đền Hùng Phú Thọ conducted by nearby localities.
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On the 10th day of the 3rd Lunar Month, the main ceremony takes place. This day witnesses two significant events: the Incense Offering Ceremony at the Hùng Kings' relics and the memorials of distinguished heroes and scholars across the province, and the Incense Offering Ceremony at the Relief Sculpture 'Uncle Ho Talking to Frontline Cadres and Soldiers of the Pioneer Corps.'
Offering rituals are an essential part of Đền Hùng Festival.
1.2.2 Entertainment Section
Various forms of cultural activities flourish around the foothills of Hùng Mountain: Folk performances (drumming, gongs, wrapping competitions, making square cakes, firecracker pulling...), professional art troupes from provinces and cities, grassroots cultural teams, and numerous sports competitions imbued with indigenous culture.
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On the 1st and 2nd day of the 3rd Lunar Month: Visitors can admire artworks, publications, and documents about Hùng Kings and the worship of Hùng Kings at the Museum and the historical site of Đền Hùng.
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On the 3rd day of the 3rd Lunar Month: Welcoming Ceremony for the Recognition of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation for the Đền Vân Luông Flower Snatching Festival.
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On the 6th day of the 3rd Lunar Month: Experience drum performances, stilt walking at the Historical Site of Đền Hùng, traditional xoan singing, and water puppet performances.
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On the 7th day of the 3rd Lunar Month: Performances catering to tour groups.
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On the 8th day of the 3rd Lunar Month: Contest for making square cakes and pounding round glutinous rice cakes in Phú Thọ Province.
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On the 9th day of the 3rd Lunar Month: Swimming competition on Văn Lang Park Lake and notably, Đền Hùng Festival 2024 will feature a 15-minute high-altitude fireworks display at Văn Lang Park.
Following the ritual comes the festivity part; every year, the Hùng Kings' Ancestral Anniversary Festival holds a procession competition among surrounding villages, enhancing the lively atmosphere. The winning procession is honored to lead the way to the Upper Temple for the national ceremony the following year, a proud and prestigious moment for the entire village. They believe it brings them blessings and joy from the Hùng Kings and divine spirits.
Each procession in the Hùng Kings' Festival consists of 3 elaborately decorated palanquins, adorned with gold and delicate details. The first palanquin carries offerings of flowers, candles, betel leaves, areca nuts, and alcohol. The second one holds incense and offerings for the Saints, with a lantern and a fan. The third palanquin carries square and round glutinous rice cakes, along with a whole boiled piglet. Following the palanquins are local officials and elders in traditional attire.
Đền Hùng Festival holds increasingly profound significance in the spiritual life of the community. Nowadays, both domestically and internationally, there are many temples dedicated to the Hùng Kings and figures from the era of the Hùng Kings.
Local residents with historical relics (communal houses, temples, shrines, etc.) dedicated to the Hùng Kings and related historical figures from the era of the Hùng Kings voluntarily organize ceremonies and processions to Đền Hùng, preparing local specialties as offerings to honor the Hùng Kings.
2. Significance of Reverence in Đền Hùng Festival
Vietnamese people have a deep-rooted tradition of patriotism and always remember the principle of 'remembering the source when drinking water.' The Hùng Kings represent the noblest symbol of nation-building and preservation, revered, cherished, and worshipped by the people.
The reverence for the Hùng Kings is cultivated within the sacred cultural and spiritual space of the Historical Site of Đền Hùng, where national and historical consciousness is also nurtured.
Đền Hùng Festival has also gained vitality and attracted domestic tourists from all corners, crystallizing into the cultural essence deeply ingrained in Vietnamese spiritual culture. Throughout history, from feudal dynasties to the present day, Đền Hùng Festival remains the only festival officially recognized as a national ceremony.
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3. What to Prepare for Đền Hùng Festival?
Đền Hùng Festival often holds profound significance related to the rich belief system consisting of “Nướng - Nỏ - Cối - Chày - Chưng - Dày”, symbolizing the aspiration for a prosperous, ever-growing nation. Among them, offerings such as square glutinous rice cake represent the Dragon, while round glutinous rice cake symbolizes the Fairy. Therefore, it can be said that square and round glutinous rice cakes are indispensable offerings of Đền Hùng Festival.
In addition to square and round glutinous rice cakes, travelers can also offer other items such as sticky rice, chicken, beef, goat meat, rice wine, fresh fruits, etc.
The Hùng Kings were the first to teach our people rice cultivation, laying the foundation for the wet rice civilization. For those unable to visit the historical site of Đền Hùng Phú Thọ, they can still make offerings at home, but it's important to note that the offering tray must include rice, square glutinous rice cake, and round glutinous rice cake.
4. Traveling to Đền Hùng Festival and Sightseeing Spots
4.1 Traveling to Đền Hùng Festival
During Đền Hùng Festival, the unique and significant Xoan singing ritual takes place. Surrounding the mountain base are remarkable folk performances and traditional games. If you've visited Hanoi during this time, don't miss the chance to witness the beautiful customs of Vietnamese tradition.
When returning to the Ancestral Land, tourists encounter no religious discrimination; as long as they are Vietnamese, they all have the right to be proud descendants of the Hùng Kings. Therefore, any Vietnamese, if sincere, can fulfill their wishes by easily and conveniently booking a pilgrimage tour.
Traveling to Đền Hùng Festival
4.2 Places Tourists Can Visit at Đền Hùng Festival
4.2.1 The Lower Temple
Đền Hạ, constructed around the 17th - 18th centuries, showcases ancient architectural marvels. Legend has it that Đền Hạ is where Mother Âu Cơ laid a hundred eggs. Behind the main hall of Đền Hạ, the Dragon's Eye Well, where the eggs were nurtured, still remains.
Đền Hạ boasts ancient temple architecture filled with solemnity.
4.2.2 The Middle Temple
While Đền Hạ features a double-word architectural style, Đền Trung follows a single-word design. The area of Đền Trung marks the moment when the sixth Hùng King passed his throne to his son Lang Liêu, according to the legend of square and round glutinous rice cakes. Moreover, this place was frequented by officials of that era for strolling and discussing state affairs.
4.2.3 The Upper Temple
Perched atop Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, the Upper Temple earns its name not just for its elevated position but also for being the site where the Hùng Kings often made offerings to the heavens, praying for abundant rain, favorable winds, bountiful harvests, and the well-being of the people. During the An enemy invasion, the sixth Hùng King also sought divine assistance at this site.
4.2.4 Thiên Quang Pagoda
Located near Đền Hạ, Thiên Quang Pagoda was where Uncle Hồ conversed with the vanguard troops before returning to Hanoi to take charge. Moreover, visitors to Thiên Quang Pagoda can admire the bell cast during the Lê dynasty.
4.2.5 Hùng King Mausoleum
According to local legend, the Hùng King Mausoleum is the tomb of the sixth Hùng King. Positioned in the southeast direction, it lies to the east of the Upper Temple. Keen observers will notice that the Hùng King Mausoleum is built in the 'head facing the mountains, feet stepping towards the water' orientation.
4.2.6 Pearl Well
Located within the Den Hung Historical Complex, the Pearl Well commemorates and worships two princesses who contributed to agriculture and water management. These princesses are named Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa. The Pearl Well was where the two princesses used to gaze into mirrors and comb their hair.
The Đền Hùng Festival, also known as the Hung Kings' Temple Festival, is an occasion for future generations to praise the prosperity of the community. Contact Mytour's hotline of Mytour if you intend to book affordable tours to visit this place. Moreover, we also handle hotel bookings, flight tickets, or even all-inclusive travel packages. Our experienced advisory team is always ready to assist you in choosing the most suitable services.
