Special palanquin procession to Hung Kings’ Temple

As a sacred promise, March comes, millions of hearts of Vietnamese people turn towards the sacred mountain of Nghia Linh, back to the ancestral land of the nation to pay their respects, light incense sticks, express gratitude, and remember the merits of ancestors.

The annual Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary is held with many unique and attractive activities, including the procession of palanquins to Hung Kings’ Temple by localities on the outskirts of the Hung Kings’ Temple Historical Relic Site. This is a traditional ritual that has been maintained and preserved for thousands of years, and has a special meaning, expressing the morality “Drinking water, remember the source” and the respect and dignity of the nation.

As usual, every year there will be 7 palanquin procession teams including Hy Cuong, Hung Lo, Kim Duc, Chu Hoa communes and Van Phu ward - Viet Tri city; Tien Kien commune, Hung Son town - Lam Thao district; are the localities at the foot of Nghia Linh mountain that are honored to do palanquin processions to Hung Kings’ Temple. The procession lineup is arranged in order: Leading is the lion dance team, followed by the procession of the National Flag and festival flags; gongs and drums; “bat am” and “sinh tien” dance team; the spirit flag procession team; The team carries the eight treasures and parasols; palanquin; The celebrant and officials, then leaders of communes, wards, towns, local elderly people wearing ao dai, turbans and people participating in the procession. Offerings include incense, flowers, fruits, banh chung, banh day and local products...

The palanquin procession starts from the big gate, through the Festival Center yard, the palanquin procession stops at the main gate, places the palanquin in the direction of Nghia Linh mountain peak - the place of worship of the Hung Kings. The lion and dragon dance team of the palanquin procession troupe will do a performance for the audience, then the troupe continues going to the 5th intersection of Gieng (Well) Temple, at the foot of the bas-relief of Uncle Ho talking with the officers and soldiers of the Pioneer Army. Here, the lion dance team will do another performance for the people and tourists as the end of the palanquin procession. As a locality with many relics associated with the Hung Kings’ era, Hung Son town (Lam Thao district) before the festival opens every year, they carefully prepare the lineup to participate in the procession. Mr. Nguyen Dac Giang - Vice Chairman of the town People’s Committee said: Hung Son town has many villages with relics associated with the Hung Kings’ era, which are cared for very thoughtfully by the people, so Every year the town will choose a village to participate in the procession. The participating members are carefully selected and practice many days before the main procession day.

As the “eldest child who sets the precedent”, Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri city, at the end of the second lunar month, is busy preparing the squad to participate in the procession of palanquins, flags and parasols at Co Tich communal house to get ready for the palanquin procession with the most respect and sincerity. This is also the starting point of the palanquin procession of Hy Cuong commune. Mr. Trieu Van Tien - who has been the celebrant of the palanquin procession for 5 times shared: “Being the celebrant of the palanquin procession to Hung Kings’ Temple, I feel very honored and proud. To be chosen as a celebrant, one must usually have the following criteria: A harmonious family, good moral qualities, good implementation of the village and commune’s conventions, and a leading role model in implementing the legal policies of the Party and the State. I, as well as other members of the procession, try our best to fulfill our responsibilities with the most sacred respect.”

Throughout its history of thousands of years, the belief of worshiping Hung Kings, including the palanquin procession rituals of localities, is a unique cultural feature, clearly demonstrating community cohesion, pride in origin, and national self-esteem, creating great solidarity and spiritual strength in protecting, preserving and promoting the nation’s traditional cultural identity and at the same time being a spiritual fulcrum and a strong connection for the whole country to look towards Hung Kings’ Temple and from Hung Kings’ Temple to look out over the whole country.

Thu Huong