Dining at the Hung Temple

The Historical Site of Hung Temple (Hung Temple) spans an area of 1,030 hectares in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho. There are four main attractions here: the temple dedicated to the national ancestor Lac Long Quan on Sim Mountain, the temple honoring Mother Goddess Au Co on Van Mountain, the Hung Vuong Museum, and the temple commemorating the Hung Kings on Nghia Linh Mountain (Hung Mountain). 

Hung Temple gathers many quintessential and unique values of the nation, becoming an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people: 

“No matter who goes against the tide

Remembering Ancestors' Memorial Day on the Thirteenth of March

Echoing across the regions, the songs persist

The homeland remains the homeland for a thousand years”.

The historical site is located 7 km north of the city center of Viet Tri and 90 km from the capital Hanoi. From Hanoi, you can travel by road via National Highway 2 or take the Hanoi – Lao Cai railway route.

Ancestors' Memorial Day for Hung Kings takes place on the 10th day of the third lunar month at Hung Temple. This year, the festival occurs on April 29th, coinciding with the holidays of April 30th and May 1st. Ancestors' Memorial Day and the Cultural-Tourism Week of the Land of Ancestors in 2023 are organized from April 20th to April 29th, featuring various entertaining activities to welcome visitors.

1. Ceremony Section

At the Historical Site of Hung Temple:

• April 20 to 29: Incense offering and commemoration of the Hung Kings.
• April 25: Ceremony in memory of the National Ancestor Lac Long Quan and Mother Goddess Au Co.
• April 29 (from 8 am): Incense offering ceremony for Ancestors' Memorial Day of Hung Kings.

2. Festival Section

• 8:00 PM on April 21: Opening ceremony of the Hung Temple Festival and Cultural-Tourism Week of the Land of Ancestors 2023 at Hung Vuong Square, Viet Tri City.
• 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM from April 22 to 24: Cultural performances of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritages at Hung Vuong Square.
• April 23: Swimming competition and standing paddle performance on Van Lang Park Lake, Viet Tri City.
• April 24 to 30: Xoan singing and folk songs of Phu Tho at the Festival Center, Historical Site of Hung Temple, and Cultural Camp at Phu Bung Mountain area.
• Xoan singing by artisans in the ancient village of Hung Lo.
• April 25 to 29: Culinary Culture Festival of the Land of Ancestors at the Service Area near the Intersection of Den Gieng – the DTLS area of Hung Temple.
• April 20 to 29: Exhibition of documents, images, artifacts, and beliefs of the Hung Vuong era at the museum, within the DTLS area.

Additionally, Phu Tho province organizes other activities during the Ancestors' Memorial Day, including Xoan singing performances for tourists at Lai Len Temple, An Thai Temple, and Hung Lo Temple (April 20-29), a street music program, ao dai costume showcase, and the establishment of the record 'Silk Beauty of the Land' (April 22) at Van Lang Park, a competition to wrap and cook square and round glutinous rice cakes (April 27) in the DTLS area.

The temple dedicated to the Hung Kings on Nghia Linh Mountain is built on a mountain with a height of 175 meters. Legend has it that Nghia Linh Mountain is the dragon's head facing south, with a wide body bending to form Văn and Trọc Mountains. Văn Mountain is 170 meters high, and Trọc Mountain, located in the middle, is 145 meters high. According to legend, the three peaks are called the 'forbidden tam som,' considered by the people as three sacred mountain peaks.

3.1. Temple Gate

Before ascending to the temple, visitors must pass through the temple gate, which marks the beginning of the pilgrimage to the ancestral land, the very roots of the Vietnamese people.

The gate is adorned with vaulted architectural style, with a decorative pattern of twin dragons flanking the moon on the roof. The gate consists of 2 floors, measuring 8.5m in height and 4.5m in width. At the center of the high temple gate is a grand inscription with 4 Chinese characters: Cao son canh hanh (High mountain, vast road).

3.2. Lower Temple

The temple, constructed from the 17th to the 18th century, has undergone several renovations (most recently in 2011) but still preserves its original architecture. The structure consists of 2 buildings, with the front being the ancestral hall and the rear being the harem. The harem is where the ancestral tablets are placed, honoring the mountain deity, the Hung Kings, Princess Tien Dung, and Ngoc Hoa.

The Lower Temple is traditionally believed to be the place where Mother Au Co laid a hundred eggs, which later hatched into a hundred sons. Due to its association with the legend of Mother Au Co, people often pray for good luck and blessings related to fertility and family at the Lower Temple. The complete and safe delivery of children is sought, as the Mother is considered the guardian ensuring the safety of both mother and child.

At the base of the Lower Temple is the Hexagonal House, featuring a hexagonal architecture with 6 roofs. Inside the house, a stone stele is placed, inscribed with the words of President Ho Chi Minh during his visit on September 19, 1945: “The Hung Kings had the merit of founding the nation. Our descendants must unite to protect the country together”.

3.3. Ancient Well

Directly behind the Lower Temple is the Ancient Well (Dragon Well). According to legend, this is where Mother Au Co used to fetch water for her children's baths.

3.4. Thiên Quang Pagoda

The name of the pagoda means light shining from above. According to legend, when Au Co laid a hundred eggs, there was a beam of light shining directly from the sky to the location of the pagoda. Built around the 18th-19th century, during the Tran Dynasty, Thiên Quang Pagoda follows the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. The pagoda currently houses 32 wooden Buddha statues, adorned with gold leaf.

In front of the pagoda, there is an octogenarian banyan tree, around 800 years old. Its three branches extend in three directions symbolizing the North, Central, and Southern regions. On September 19, 1954, President Ho Chi Minh sat under that banyan tree to hear reports on the situation and plans for taking over Hanoi from Comrade Thanh Quang, Chief of the General Political Department, and Comrade Song Ha, Political Commissar of the Vanguard Army Corps.

3.5. Middle Temple

After climbing 159 stone steps, visitors reach the Middle Temple nestled halfway up the mountain. The Middle Temple, also known as the 'Hung Vuong ancestral temple,' is dedicated to worshiping the Hung Kings. According to legend, this is where the Hung Kings, along with their courtiers and generals, discussed state affairs.

In the reign of the 6th Hung King, this was the site of a competition to find talented individuals to govern the country. Prince Lang Lieu emerged victorious by creating the traditional square sticky rice cake (bánh chưng) and cylindrical sticky rice cake (bánh giày), symbolizing the round sky and square earth. Impressed by the creativity and symbolism, King Hung praised the cakes and passed on the throne. Lang Lieu became the 7th Hung King.

Learn more: Travel experience at Đền Hùng in Phú Thọ

3.6. Upper Temple

From the Middle Temple, ascend about 100 steps to reach the Upper Temple, situated at the highest point on Nghia Linh Mountain. The temple, named Kinh Thien Linh Dien, translates to the Temple worshipping heaven on Nghia Linh Mountain. According to tradition, this is where the Hung Kings often conducted rituals, praying for the nation's prosperity and the well-being of the people. It is also the primary location for the most important ceremonies on the Tổ's commemoration day.

3.7. Stone Pillar of Oath

To the left of the Upper Temple stands the Stone Pillar of Oath. Over the years, the pillar became buried, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism allowed its restoration to help descendants understand the ancestors' solemn oath. Legend has it that in the 18th reign of the Hung Kings, lacking a direct heir, King Hung heeded the advice of his son-in-law Tan Vien and passed the throne to his great-grandson Thuc Phan. Thuc Phan erected the stone pillar, pointing to the sky, swearing that the Southern land would endure, and the temple honoring the Hung Kings would last forever. After ascending to the throne, Thuc Phan took the title of An Duong Vuong, named the country Au Lac, and moved the capital to Co Loa.

3.8. Tomb of Hung Kings

Legend has it that this is the tomb of the 6th Hung King, with the solemn instruction: 'When I pass away, bury me on the summit of Mount Ca so that I can watch over the land for descendants.' The tomb is constructed at the mountain's head, facing the water source. Despite undergoing multiple renovations, the Tomb of Hung Kings preserves its original architecture: leaning against the slope of Hung Mountain and overlooking the intersection of Bach Hac.

Each wall is adorned with tiger faces, and tiers feature mythical unicorn sculptures. The main entrance bears two Nôm script couplets expressing descendants' profound gratitude to their ancestors: 'The tomb, established since ancient times, Mount Tan Song Da, the land and water always return to the Ancestral Land. – In the current civilized era, Hong descendants still remember their ancestors' graves.'

3.9. Well Temple

Descending about 600 steps to the Southeast is the Well Temple dedicated to the two princesses, Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa. The love story between Princess Tien Dung and Chu Dong Tu reflects the desire for freedom in love and marriage. Meanwhile, Ngoc Hoa – Son Tinh reflects the struggle against floods and leaves a cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people: the marriage challenge.

The temple is situated at the foot of the mountain. The roof is adorned with four mythical creatures: dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix. In the center of the forecourt are three maxims: 'Drink water, remember the source,' 'Southern country's peace and prosperity,' and 'Mountains and rivers are as precious as jewels' (symbolizing the preciousness of mountains and rivers).

Visiting the temple dedicated to the Hung Kings only takes half a day. Therefore, tourists can combine it with visits to other city attractions such as the Tich Dien Temple (where the Hung Kings taught people to cultivate rice), the Tien Temple (honoring the wife of King Kinh Duong Vuong, the birth mother of Lac Long Quan), and the Khen Rung Mansion on the Golden Bridge in Van Lang Park.

If planning a two-day trip, consider visiting Long Coc Tea Hill, hunting morning dew and admiring the sunrise, the eco-tourism area of Xuan Son National Park, and the Thanh Thuy hot spring tourist area.

See more: Travel experience at the Hung Temple in Phu Tho

Homage to the Buddha! (3 times)

I bow to the nine directions of the sky and earth, the Ten Dharma realms, and the Holy Sages.
I bow to the sacred Hung Kings, founders of this land.

My name is……, residing at……………

On the day of the Ancestral Anniversary, I send a fragrant offering to express our family's gratitude to the Hung Kings and ancestors.
May you grant your divine protection,
May all things be good and peaceful.
May illnesses diminish, troubles dissolve,
Negative things be taken away, leaving tranquility.
Arriving at destinations, returning home safely,
Passing through calamities unharmed.
Wishing for fulfilled aspirations, encountering good fortune,
May everything flow smoothly and favorably.
Children diligently pursuing education, obedient to parents,
Succeeding in exams, near or far, bringing joy to family and country.
Predestined love from past lives,
Soulmates... perfectly deserving.
Love transcends distance, enduring and deep,
Loving and cherishing throughout life.
Success in career advancement,
Trade bringing fourfold profits.
Happiness and contentment for a lifetime.

Homage to the Buddha!

I bow to the vastness of the sky and earth, I bow to the sacred Hung Kings. Holy Tran, benevolent being, Grant eternal divine protection throughout generations!

Homage to the Buddha! (bowing three times)

Writing a prayer is an intangible means to connect the mortal with the spiritual. When visiting the Hung Temple, you must prepare a comprehensive prayer to express respect and gratitude to the Hung Kings. Simultaneously, convey desires and wishes for the spiritual beings to contemplate and assist you in realization. During the ritual, maintain sincerity and seriousness to align with the inherent spiritual atmosphere.

At the Hung Temple, there are many specialties and unique dishes to try, such as palm fruit, sour meat priced from 40,000 VND, arrowroot cake, free-range chicken, and multicolored sticky rice.

If you plan to explore the entire historical site of the Hung Temple, it's advisable to have lunch at the on-site restaurants. If your intention is solely to visit the royal shrines, consider stopping by the city of Viet Tri for more dining options.

Explore delightful eateries within the city such as River Carp, Ha Tri Fish Restaurant, or Xuân Thuyết's Free-Range Chicken for a taste of arrowroot cake. Expect an average cost of around 200,000 VND per person per meal.

With these travel tips for the Hung Temple, we hope you embark on a smooth and peaceful journey.