The Impression of Hung Kings Temple Night Tour

In the atmosphere of the entire nation looking towards the Hung Kings' Commemoration - Hung Kings Temple Festival and Ancestral Land Culture-Tourism Week 2026 (Year of the Horse), the night tour “Sacred Ancestral Roots of Hung Kings Temple” is making a distinctive mark, offering visitors a profound and unique experience. In the mystical glow of the night, the Hung Kings Temple appears both intimate and sacred, evoking pride and a deep connection to national origins.

The Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site takes on a mystical and sacred beauty as night falls.

On the evening of March 19, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM, the year’s first “Sacred Ancestral Roots of Hung Kings Temple” night tour attracted a large number of delegates, tourism businesses, reporters, and tourists. Far from the bustling daytime atmosphere, the temple at night carries a contemplative and serene beauty. In this space, each pilgrim’s step seems slower, more respectful, and more heartfelt.

The journey begins at the Festival Center gate, where soft amber lights blend with shimmering lanterns to lead visitors up Nghia Linh Mountain. Amidst the silence, the resonance of temple bells mingling with the faint scent of incense creates a mystical and deeply spiritual nocturnal landscape.

The first stop is Ha Temple (Lower Temple), associated with the legend of Mother Au Co giving birth to a sac of a hundred eggs, which hatched into 100 sons—the origin of the national community. Under the gentle lanterns, the space becomes even more solemn, reminding every visitor of their sacred shared roots.

Continuing the climb, visitors reach Trung Temple (Middle Temple), which preserves the story of Lang Lieu offering Banh Chung and Banh Giay to his father, the King, to be chosen as his successor—a symbol of the “When drinking water, remember its source” philosophy of the wet rice civilization.

Tourists excitedly participate in the night tour with colorful lanterns.

The highlight of the journey is Thuong Temple (Upper Temple), where the Hung Kings of old performed rituals to Heaven and Earth to pray for national peace and prosperity. In the quiet night, the rustling of forest leaves and the flickering candlelight during the formal incense and candle-offering ceremony create sacred moments that leave a lasting emotional impact. The glowing candles amidst the Nghia Linh forests do not just illuminate the space; they light up pride and deep gratitude toward the ancestors.

The journey concludes at Gieng Temple (Well Temple), dedicated to Princesses Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa. The clear waters and tranquil atmosphere serve as a gentle pause, allowing visitors to complete their spiritual journey. Many shared that the stillness of the night helped them better appreciate the cultural and historical values of this special relic complex.

According to many tourists, the night tour is more than just a new tourism product; it is a different way to perceive heritage. Without the noise and crowds, the spiritual space regains its inherent depth, allowing individuals to reflect and create an invisible bond with their national roots.

Visitors practicing Hung Kings worship rituals at the Upper Temple.

Ms. Pham Thi Hoang Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, stated: "The night tour is typically organized before and during the annual festival. We hope this will help shift the habit of Vietnamese people who usually only visit during the day, while providing a fresh spiritual tourism experience. This product contributes to diversifying the province’s tourism colors."

To prepare for the tour, the Relic Site developed a detailed script and invested heavily in lighting systems, landscape decoration, and security. Activities such as visiting the Hung Kings Museum, offering incense at the Upper Temple, and experiencing cultural spaces are organized scientifically to create a seamless experience.

The introduction of the night tour not only diversifies Phu Tho’s tourism products but also opens a new direction for cultural and spiritual tourism development. As the industry focuses on upgrading service quality, deep experiential products like this are expected to increase attraction and extend visitor stays.

During this year’s Hung Kings' Commemoration and Ancestral Land Culture-Tourism Week, the night tour promises to be a standout highlight, promoting the image of Phu Tho—the ancestral land of the Vietnamese people—to a wide range of domestic and international tourists.

Hong Nhung