Around one million pilgrims nationwide have flocked to the northern province of Phu Tho to attend the Hung Kings’ Temple festival on April 15.

This year is the second year the country celebrated its national holiday to honor the founding of the country by the Hung Dynasty some 4,000 years ago.

Drawing locals, overseas Vietnamese and foreigners, the ceremony will include an incense offering ceremony at the Hung Kings’ Temple on Mount Nghia Linh to honor the legendary ancestors of Viet Nam.

Representatives from the Party, the State and relevant central and local agencies will also attend this national festival. Trays of fruit, flowers and square and round glutinous rice cakes (banh chung and banh day) will be presented at the ceremony.

The Ho Chi Minh City-based Dam Sen Cultural Park has brought to the Hung Kings’ Temple a giant 1.8 ton banh chung, another was made to treat visitors at the Dam Sen Park.

Offerings from all corners of the country will be made at other temples at Mount Nghia Linh to honor the Hung Dynasty and its 18 generations.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese government is seeking UNESCO recognition of the Hung Kings' Temple Complex as a World Cultural Heritage.

(Source: SGGP)