Ho Chi Minh City: Thousands of people offer incense on Hung Kings' Commemoration Day
WVR - On the morning of April 26 (the 10th day of the third lunar month), in the solemn atmosphere of Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, thousands of residents and tourists gathered at the Hung Kings Memorial Temple to offer incense and pay tribute to the Hung Kings.
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| Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Phuoc Loc speaks at the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day ceremony. (Source: VNA) |
Solemn ceremony, spreading the ethos of “Gratitude to Ancestors”
According to reporters, from early morning, a long line of people dressed formally entered the temple area. Many wore traditional ao dai, holding offerings, reverently waiting for their turn to offer incense.
The procession and offering rituals were organized meticulously, creating a sacred and solemn atmosphere. Amidst the incense smoke, delegates and citizens respectfully offered flowers and incense in memory of the National Ancestor Hung Kings and Nguyen Huu Canh, who contributed to the establishment of the Saigon – Gia Dinh region.
Hoai Thu from Binh Thanh Ward shared: “I woke up very early to attend the ceremony. This is not only an occasion to remember our ancestors but also a reminder for the younger generation about the nation's roots. The solemn atmosphere makes me feel very emotional.”
Sharing the same sentiment, Minh Tuan from Thu Duc Ward said, although the number of people was large, everyone queued orderly, maintaining the solemnity of the ceremony.
“This shows the awareness and reverence of the people towards this significant national holiday,” Tuan said.
Besides the ceremony, various cultural and sports activities such as the banh chung wrapping and cooking contest, and the “Pride of the Dragon and Fairy Descendants” camp were organized, attracting a large number of union members and youth, contributing to spreading traditional values.
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| Recreation of the Hung Kings era rituals. (Photo: VNA) |
Cultural experience sites draw crowds
During the holiday, major tourist and entertainment spots in Ho Chi Minh City like Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Dam Sen Cultural Park, and Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Area saw a significant increase in visitors. Many families chose to take their children to these places for both recreation and learning about national history and culture.
At Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Area, the Hung Kings' Commemoration was held with full traditional rituals and theatrical programs reenacting the era of the Hung Kings' nation-building and defense.
According to a representative of the tourist area, on the main day of the ceremony alone, the site welcomed over 10,000 visitors.
Le Phuong from Tan Son Hoa Ward shared: “I brought my family here at 5 a.m. to attend the ceremony. Despite the large crowd, the atmosphere remained solemn. Receiving the 'blessing' at the beginning of the year makes me feel fortunate and more at ease.”
As the day progressed, entertainment areas like Tien Dong – Ngoc Nu Beach and thrill rides continued to attract a large number of visitors, especially the youth.
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| Thousands of people reverently offer incense on Hung Kings' Commemoration Day |
At Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, a large number of people, especially families with young children and groups of young friends, gathered at the festival area. The entrance on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street was crowded from inside out. The front yard area for welcoming guests and selling tickets was almost full from early on.
Not only at entertainment venues, but the spirit of returning to roots also spread within the educational environment. Hung Vuong Specialized High School (Binh Duong Ward) organized a 30th-anniversary celebration (April 24, 1996 - April 24, 2026) combined with Hung Kings' Commemoration in a solemn atmosphere.
A representative of Hung Vuong Specialized High School stated that incorporating the Hung Kings' Commemoration into the 30th-anniversary celebration not only holds a meaning of gratitude but also helps instill spiritual values in students.
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| The festival area was crowded, especially with families with young children and groups of young friends. |
Previously, Nguyen Cong Tru High School solemnly organized the Hung Kings' Commemoration at the school.
Ly Thi Hong Tham, Vice Principal, stated that the Hung Kings' Commemoration is not only an occasion to remember the great contributions of the Hung Kings but also carries profound educational significance for today's students.
According to her, preserving and promoting the tradition of “gratitude to ancestors” should be demonstrated through concrete actions in learning, training, and daily lifestyle. She hopes that students will continue to nurture national pride and a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their families, and society, thereby contributing to the country's development.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, this year's Hung Kings' Commemoration activities not only took place vibrantly at tourist sites but also spread throughout social life, helping preserve and promote traditional cultural values while creating meaningful experiences for residents and tourists.
