Promoting the Value of Hung Kings Temple and Hung Kings Worship Beliefs in Tourism Development

The Hung Kings Temple Special National Historical Relic Site and the Beliefs of Hung Kings Worship are not only sacred national symbols but also exceptional advantages for tourism development. Every year, millions of compatriots and tourists making a pilgrimage to the Ancestral Land affirm the enduring appeal of this heritage, while opening up vast potential for the province to develop professional and sustainable cultural and spiritual tourism products—transforming ancestral heritage into a driver of socio-economic development.

Tourists from all over flock to offer incense and pay homage at the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site.

Standing atop Nghia Linh Mountain amidst the sacred atmosphere of the Hung Kings Temple Special National Historical Relic Site, every Vietnamese child feels the profound meaning of the two words: “ancestral roots.” For generations, the moral principle of “when drinking water, remember its source” has fostered the resilient vitality of Hung Kings Worship, establishing Hung Kings Temple as the spiritual convergence point of the nation and a unique destination on Vietnam’s tourism map.

Practical reality shows that the appeal of this heritage is growing ever stronger. During the 2026 Hung Kings Commemoration Festival, Phu Tho welcomed approximately 6.5 million residents and tourists who came to offer incense and sightsee—an increase of around 12% compared to the 2025 festival season. Beyond the peak festival season, Hung Kings Temple also draws large numbers of domestic and international visitors on weekends seeking to pay homage and learn about ancestral cultural values.

Mr. Bui Thanh Xuan (Hanoi) shared: “My family often chooses the summer break to bring our children to Hung Kings Temple. This is not only a spiritual trip but also helps our children better understand national history, nurturing pride and an awareness of preserving traditions.”

International tourists eagerly experience traditional banh chung wrapping at an ancient house in Hung Lo village—a promising community tourism model realizing the strategy of linking spiritual tourism with local cultural experiences surrounding Hung Kings Temple.

In addition to its spiritual value, Hung Kings Temple serves as a central hub connecting numerous distinct cultural resources, such as Xoan singing, Hung Lo ancient village, traditional festivals, craft villages, local cuisine, and eco-landscapes. This represents a rare advantage for forming tourism product chains bearing the signature identity of the Ancestral Land.

However, to turn cultural advantages into economic drivers, heritage exploitation must be closely tied to conservation. The value of Hung Kings Worship lies not only in traditional rituals but also needs to be transformed into engaging cultural experiences—helping tourists gain a deeper understanding of the nation-building history, national identity, and humanistic values passed down through generations.

One of the most vital tasks is to continue developing tourism products imbued with ancestral identity, combining sightseeing, experiential activities, and traditional education.

Alongside the effective implementation of the Master Plan for Preserving and Promoting the Value of Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, it is necessary to expand cultural experience spaces and enhance Xoan singing performances, folk arts demonstrations, traditional crafts, and local cultural values. At the same time, regional linkages between Hung Kings Temple and neighboring destinations—such as Hung Lo ancient village, Xuan Son National Park, Thanh Thuy mineral hot spring resort, and various other cultural and ecological tourism spots—should be actively promoted to create diverse tour routes. This connectivity contributes not only to extending visitors' length of stay but also to boosting the added value of the local tourism industry.

Artisans and international tourists engage in Xoan singing interaction at Hung Lo Communal House—one of the key solutions to promote intangible cultural heritage values while bringing direct benefits to the community.

At the National Scientific Conference entitled "Connecting, Promoting Cultural Resources and Values of Phu Tho Province for Tourism and Socio-Economic Development in the New Era," Master's degree holder Pham Thi Hoang Oanh, Deputy Director of Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, emphasized: "Promoting the values of Hung Kings Temple heritage must be linked with sustainable development and multi-dimensional connectivity. A close coordination mechanism among management authorities, businesses, and the community is essential. Furthermore, local residents should be encouraged to participate in building tourism products, becoming creative actors who directly benefit and join hands to safeguard heritage."

In this process, the local community plays a key role. When residents become preservers, storytellers, and disseminators of heritage out of genuine love for their homeland, every village and cultural space surrounding Hung Kings Temple will become an attractive destination for visitors.

Heritage truly fulfills its value only when preserved with responsibility and exploited through sustainable development mindsets. As authorities, sectors, enterprises, and communities join forces, Hung Kings Temple and Hung Kings Worship Beliefs will remain an extraordinary resource—propelling Phu Tho’s tourism to develop in line with its status while sustainably radiating the nation’s ancestral values.

Le Hoang