Phu Tho: Tens of thousands journey to land of founding fathers

12:29' 23/04/2007 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Yesterday, April 22 or the 6th of lunar March, the Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary was inaugurated at the Hung Temple in Viet Tri City, northern Phu Tho Province.

According to Mr. Ta Duc Chuyen, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Hung Temple Historical Site, more people are taking part in this years anniversary than in previous years since, because as of 2007, state employees will have a day off on Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary, the 10ht of lunar March, or April 26 this year.
On Saturday and Sunday, the 5th and 6th of lunar March respectively, about 17,000 pilgrims journeyed to the site of the first Vietnamese nation.
A series of cultural activities are being organized throughout Viet Tri City and Lam Thao and Phu Ninh Districts.
On April 23, or the 7th of lunar March, at the Hung Temple, there will be such activities as the opening of a cultural camp and a public musical festival; a volleyball competition for men; folk wrestling; Chinese chess; man chess; copper drum performances; and others.
On April 24-4, or the 8th of lunar March, Viet Tri City will host professional artistic and public musical performances as well as a book exhibition at the Phu Tho Province Library. And at the Hung Temple, there will be incense offering and palanquin welcoming ceremonies as well as other cultural and sports activities.
On April 25, or the 9th of lunar March, palanquin welcoming ceremonies by different communes will continue at the Hung Temple, besides the opening of square rice cake making, rowing and folk musical competitions as well as a fireworks show in Viet Tri City.
On April 26, or the 10th of lunar March, another incense offering ceremony will take place at the Hung Temple, in addition to the awards ceremonies of sports competitions.
(Source: Tuoi Tre, VietNamNet)