Phu Tho Reviews Resounding Success of 2026 Hung Kings' Commemoration and Ancestral Land Cultural-Tourism Week

On the afternoon of June 2, the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee convened a high-level review conference evaluating the organization of the Hung Kings' Commemoration, Hung Temple Festival, and Ancestral Land Cultural-Tourism Week 2026. The landmark events, running from April 17 to 26 (the 1st to 10th days of the third lunar month), concluded with resounding success, attracting millions of visitors and cementing its status as a nationwide model of a civilized, safe, and exemplary festival.

Provincial Governor Tran Duy Dong delivers the keynote address at the high-level review conference.

The 2026 pilgrimage season marked a historic turning point, being the inaugural festival executed under a streamlined two-tier local governance model following the provincial consolidation of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh. Cultural and spiritual activities were seamlessly decentralized across 18 distinct clusters of communes and wards province-wide.

The state rituals were conducted with paramount solemnity and strict national protocol. The defining highlight was the Hung Kings' Incense Offering Ceremony on the final day, graced by the attendance of General Secretary and President To Lam, alongside senior leaders of the Party and State, domestic compatriots, and international tourists.

Chairman Tran Duy Dong and Head of the Provincial Party Organizing Board Bui Dinh Thi present commendation letters and certificates of merit to exemplary collective units.

The festive activities and the Ancestral Land Cultural-Tourism Week thrived with a vibrant array of identity-rich cultural, athletic, and tourism events. Key highlights included the Street Folk Culture Festival themed “The Echoes of the Ancestral Source, which mobilized nearly 1,800 folk artisans and performers; the 2026 Hung Vuong Expo, which clustered nearly 300 commercial pavilions and served over 10,000 locals and tourists; and the signature night tour”Hung Temple — Sacred Ancestral Origins, which sustained its immense market magnetism, accommodating thousands of night-time travelers.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huy Ngoc and Director of the Phu Tho Press, Radio, and Television Agency Vi Manh Hung present commendation letters and certificates of merit to outstanding collectives.

Concurrently, macro-communication and media campaigns were deployed in a highly synchronized and efficient manner, producing over 10,000 news articles, features, and broadcast programs across mainstream press organs, digital platforms, and social networks. The dedicated Festival Press Center smoothly facilitated the field operations of 270 accredited journalists representing 88 local and international media agencies.

Phu Tho welcomed an estimated 6.5 million domestic and international arrivals throughout the festive period, representing a robust 12% surge compared to 2025. To manage this massive influx, the province mobilized nearly 2,000 police officers and soldiers to safeguard public order. Strategic event management successfully ensured zero traffic gridlocks, eliminated commercial overcharging or price-gouging, and strictly prevented unauthorized religious activities, guaranteeing a secure, civil atmosphere.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee for Party Agencies Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee Phung Thi Kim Nga hand over awards to distinguished individuals.

The festival also generated massive press coverage, supported by a dedicated Press Center that facilitated 270 field reporters from 88 domestic and international media agencies, yielding over 10,000 news articles and digital broadcasts.

Delivering his concluding directive address, Provincial Governor Tran Duy Dong highly lauded the dedicated efforts of the Organizing Board, armed forces, artists, and the public. To lock down this momentum, the Governor directed the immediate layout of the 2027 Master Plan, anchoring the next festival with the official launch of the Phu Tho Tourism Year. In particular, the province must aggressively and efficiently exploit three focal tourism growth axes: the Northern Spiritual-Cultural Axis (the Hanoi - Viet Tri corridor), the Southern Nature-Eco Tourism Axis (the Hanoi - Hoa Binh corridor), and the Eastern Spiritual-Wellness Resort Axis (the Hanoi - Tam Dao/Tay Thien corridor), aiming to transform Phu Tho into a highly attractive year-round destination for both spiritual and wellness resort tourism.

The executive leadership of the Phu Tho Press, Radio, and Television Agency accepts honors for their highly successful media and broadcasting campaigns.

Furthermore, the province will drastically boost its heritage-linked night economy by expanding overnight hospitality service networks in Viet Tri City and neighboring urban hubs. Local authorities will also empower businesses to design premium, brand-equity OCOP gifts and culinary specialties unique to the Ancestral Land, while integrating advanced science and smart big data technologies to preserve the sacred historic site.

To honor these monumental achievements, 73 collective units and 43 individuals were granted official Commendation Letters from the Provincial Party Secretary and Certificates of Merit from the Provincial Governor. Additionally, 55 central and resident press agencies were formally honored for their powerful contributions to national media coverage.

Duc Anh