Spreading Traditional Cultural Values

Turning toward the nation’s roots, Phu Tho province is urgently finalizing preparations for a diverse series of cultural activities to celebrate the 2026 Hung Kings' Commemoration, the Hung Temple Festival, and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week. With synchronized efforts from all local levels and sectors, many large-scale, identity-rich activities promise a solemn and captivating festival season that deeply honors Vietnamese cultural heritage.

Students experience Xoan singing with members of the Hung Lo Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club at Hung Lo Communal House.

This year, the cultural events offer a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. A standout feature is the Street Folk Culture Festival, featuring 18 delegations and approximately 1,500 performers and artisans. Each group will bring its unique local color, creating a diverse and vivid cultural mosaic that reflects the regional depth of the country.

Alongside this, several key activities will take place, including cultural camps, product exhibitions, and the mass arts festival. Specialized exhibitions such as “Culture of the Hung Kings Era - The Convergence of Essence” and document displays on the “Worship of Hung Kings” heritage will provide profound historical insights. Folk values will be further celebrated through competitions like Banh Chung and Banh Giay making, water puppetry, and performances of traditional music including Xoan singing, Gheo singing, and Chau Van. Traditional rites such as bronze drum performances, dam duong, and lion dances will also contribute to the vibrant festive atmosphere.

Notably, the “Xoan Singing in Ancient Villages” program aims to broadly promote this intangible heritage. Simultaneously, the 2026 Ancestral Land Book Fair and heritage education programs for students will be implemented to raise community awareness, especially among the younger generation, about their national origins.

Beyond culture, the 2026 sports and tourism events are organized on a grand scale. Highlights include the Hung Kings Cup National Volleyball Championship, swimming and boat racing on Van Lang Park Lake, and various traditional folk games. The “Colors of Ancestral Land Tourism - Phu Tho 2026” series, the Hung Vuong Fair, and the night tour “Sacred Hung Temple – The Journey to the Roots” are expected to create a strong pull for tourists. Additionally, the “Cultural Diplomacy Exchange - Phu Tho 2026” program will foster international cooperation and introduce Vietnamese culture to global friends.

In Van Phu Ward, local responses are active with programs like “Van Phu - Heritage Rendezvous” at Lai Len Temple and Hung Lo Communal House. Ms. Truong Thi Van, Vice President of the Hung Lo Xoan Singing and Folk Music Club, shared that members are practicing intensively to perform for visitors and promote the heritage of Xoan singing. Meanwhile, at the Phu Bung Hill area, 18 cultural camps are nearing completion, each reflecting the distinct identity of ethnic groups and showcasing local specialties to serve the experiential needs of pilgrims and tourists.

With meticulous preparation and the active participation of the people, the 2026 Hung Kings' Commemoration and Hung Temple Festival promises to be a convergence of national essence. The event will reaffirm the enduring value of the tradition “When drinking water, remember its source” while powerfully promoting the image of the Ancestral Land to domestic and international audiences.

Phuong Thanh