Viet Tri: The essence of radiance

With its long history, significant cultural values, and numerous archaeological vestiges, the Hung King Temple Historical Site stands as a remarkable highlight. Viet Tri City serves as a bridge, guiding visitors on a journey through a rich tapestry of unique cultural and historical elements, shaped over thousands of years. This foundation is instrumental in the city’s development into a festival city, deeply rooted in the heritage of the Vietnamese people.

A corner of green, clean, and beautiful Viet Tri City.

The city of three-river confluences

Since ancient times, great civilizations have flourished along the banks of major rivers. Perhaps this is why Viet Tri - the city of river confluences - boasts numerous archaeological sites, historical relics, and renowned landscapes. These landmarks span from the era of the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Vietnam, through the Ho Chi Minh era, symbolizing the nation’s journey of preservation, protection, and growth. According to statistics, Viet Tri is home to 47 intangible cultural heritages, including two recognized by UNESCO: the Worship of Hung Kings and Phu Tho Xoan Singing. Additionally, the city preserves 116 tangible cultural heritages, collectively forming an architectural space deeply imbued with national identity, present throughout its wards and communes.

In its efforts to establish itself as a festival city reconnecting with the cultural roots of the Vietnamese people, the Viet Tri City Party Committee has set a clear direction for the 2020-2025 term: "Enhancing the leadership capacity and resilience of the Party Committee, fostering solidarity and the collective strength of the political system, effectively harnessing potential and advantages, and mobilizing all resources to develop Viet Tri into a rapidly growing, sustainable, increasingly modern, and civilized city—one that soon becomes a true festival city celebrating the roots of the Vietnamese people."

To realize this vision, the city has issued multiple directives and policies, implementing the conclusions of the Provincial Party Standing Committee regarding key objectives, orientations, tasks, and strategic solutions. These efforts aim to transform Viet Tri into a festival city by 2025, with a vision extending to 2030. Notably, the city has successfully revived and vividly recreated traditional folk festivals within Viet Tri’s cultural space, extending from the Bach Hac River confluence to the summit of Nghia Linh Mountain. Efforts have included developing thematic street folk festivals, organizing boat races on Van Lang Park Lake, and systematically preserving and promoting historical, architectural, and artistic relics. Unclassified relics are being reviewed for potential recognition, with proposals underway to designate additional sites as national relics. Currently, Viet Tri is home to one special national relic - Hung King Temple - alongside 13 national relics and 42 provincial relics.

Investment in the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage is increasingly prioritized under the guiding principle of cooperation between the state and the people. Viet Tri City has allocated resources to restore and maintain significant archaeological sites, such as Lang Ca and Doi Giam, while reviewing historical relics within festival centers across its communes and wards. Traditional rituals and festivals are being revitalized to enrich the experience for visitors. Since 2021, the city has restored and refurbished 23 relics, with a total investment exceeding 80 billion VND.

Taking advantage of the holidays to immerse himself in Viet Tri’s cultural ambiance, Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, a resident of Duu Lau Ward, shared his impressions: "I have been away from Viet Tri for 15 years due to work and life abroad. The transformation and development of the city have truly amazed me—spacious public spaces, modernized transport infrastructure, improved living standards, and most notably, the well-organized, large-scale festivals attracting crowds of both locals and tourists."

The city’s efforts to blend traditional folk elements with contemporary festival aesthetics cater to both the spiritual needs of the people and the growing appeal of Viet Tri as a cultural destination. These initiatives are essential to fulfilling the city’s goal of becoming a recognized Festival City that honors the roots of the Vietnamese people.

People and tourists visit and take photos with canola flowers at Van Lang Park.

The Essence Shines

The emergence of Viet Tri as a festival city is not solely defined by its impressive buildings, wide boulevards, and vibrant public spaces. It is equally reflected in the modern, civilized lifestyle of its residents—the image of Viet Tri citizens as "friendly, elegant, hospitable, and deeply patriotic." Since 2021, over 95% of households and residential areas in the city have been recognized as cultural communities, contributing to the city’s rich cultural landscape.

Reflecting on his experience at the “Hung King Temple Spirituality Marathon - Returning to the Source 2024,” Mr. Tran Anh Duc, an athlete from Nghe An Province, remarked, "The 42-kilometer race felt too short to fully appreciate Viet Tri’s beauty. However, I could clearly see the city’s thoughtful urban planning and development, from the lush, clean Van Lang Park to its well-connected infrastructure. Above all, the warmth and hospitality of the people left a lasting impression on me. I will definitely return for more experiences."

On December 5, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha approved Decision No. 1579/QD-TTg on the Planning of Phu Tho Province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. This strategic framework aims to optimize resources and promote cultural heritage, with Phu Tho striving to become the leading province in the Northern midlands and mountainous region by 2030. A central focus is the development of Viet Tri into a Festival City, reconnecting with the nation’s roots. The plan outlines key strategic initiatives, including establishing Viet Tri as the core urban hub of the Northern midlands and mountainous region, meeting the criteria of a Grade I urban center.

Moving forward, Viet Tri City will continue to assess and classify relics based on their historical significance, formulating restoration and enhancement plans for key sites to bolster tourism. Applications are underway to elevate certain provincial relics to national status. Simultaneously, the city is expanding traditional festivals such as “King Hung Teaching the People to Grow Rice,” the “Van Luong Temple Flower-Throwing Festival,” the “Tam Giang Temple Festival,” and the "Hung Lo Communal House Palanquin Procession." Moreover, efforts are being made to enhance cultural governance, ensuring residential areas, communes, wards, agencies, and institutions meet new cultural standards that align with the city’s evolving development trajectory. By fostering social engagement and mobilizing investment in cultural and human development, Viet Tri aims to solidify its position as a vibrant, forward-looking festival city.

Le Hoang