“Cultural Ambassadors” at Hung King Temple

Although the festival has yet to begin, the number of visitors flocking to the Hung King Temple Historical Relic Site has already been significant. This is a particularly busy time for the site’s guides and interpreters, whose work becomes increasingly demanding. However, each staff member remains fully aware of their responsibility. Beyond providing historical and cultural insights, they play a crucial role in shaping the image of the Ancestral Land’s people - friendly, hospitable, and deeply connected to their heritage - leaving a lasting impression on every visitor returning to the nation’s roots.

Staff from the Department of Monuments, Culture, and Festival Management introduce visitors to the legend of Mother Au Co at Ha Temple.

During a guided tour for a delegation from the BNI Vietnam Business Connection Organization in mid-February of the lunar calendar, Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Anh, a member of the Department of Relics, Culture, and Festival Management, gracefully dressed in a traditional ao dai, eloquently shared insights into the historical and cultural significance of the site. She attentively answered questions about the communal houses, temples, and artifacts displayed at the Hung Kings Museum, helping visitors deepen their understanding of Vietnam’s rich heritage.

Ms. Van Anh shared, "To effectively guide visitors at Hung Kings Temple, we must be well-versed in the history and culture of the Hung Kings era, the significance of Hung Kings worship, and the relics and artifacts displayed at the site. At the same time, each of us must possess the skills of a professional tour guide to engage and inform our guests."

Staff from the Department of Relics, Culture, and Festival Management introduce the Hung Kings' Tomb to visitors.

Lawyer Pham Thanh Long, head of the BNI Vietnam Business Connection Organization delegation, expressed his impressions of the visit: "Our group includes nearly 100 members today. Upon arriving at the Hung Kings Temple, we were struck by its serene beauty - so lush, clean, and well-maintained. The guides were incredibly enthusiastic, enriching our understanding of the Hung Kings and the ancestors who laid the foundation of our nation."

Students listen as staff from the Department of Monuments, Culture, and Festival Management introduce the bronze drums on display at the Hung Kings Museum.

In addition to guiding large tour groups, the site’s interpreters also provide detailed explanations for students and both domestic and international visitors. This work requires not only extensive historical knowledge but also dedication and passion, as these guides serve as true “cultural ambassadors,” bringing the heritage of the Hung Kings era to life for every guest.

Currently, the Department of Monuments, Culture, and Festival Management at the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site has over 30 guides, all of whom are civil servants with university degrees or higher. These individuals possess in-depth knowledge of the Hung Kings era and a thorough understanding of the site’s architecture, historical significance, and cultural values.

For instance, when introducing the Temple Gate, guides not only recount its construction in the second year of Emperor Khai Dinh’s reign (1917) but also describe its architectural features: an 8.5-meter-high archway with two floors and eight roofs, covered in simulated tube tiles. They also explain the meaning of the inscription “Cao Son Canh Hanh” on the first floor, which translates to “Climbing high mountains to see far and wide.”

At Ha Temple, visitors learn about the origins of the term “compatriots,” linked to the legend of Mother Au Co giving birth to a sac of 100 eggs, from which 100 sons emerged - the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. Step by step, as visitors ascend nearly 175 meters to the peak of Nghia Linh Mountain, hundreds of historical and cultural stories are skillfully woven into the journey by the guides, enriching the experience of those who come to pay tribute.

Deputy Director of the Hung King Temple Historical Relic Site, Ms. Pham Thi Hoang Oanh, emphasized, "To enhance the quality and expertise of our guides and interpreters, we collaborate with Hung Vuong University and the Tour Guide Association to conduct specialized training courses throughout the year. Additionally, we provide annual training sessions for photographers and electric car drivers, equipping them with fundamental knowledge of rituals, culture, and history so they can effectively convey information to visitors."

Quynh Chi