Hung Kings National Ancestor Commemoration Day & Ancestral Culture Week 2026
Schedule: 20 Tháng 4 – 26 Tháng 4, 2026 (Mùng 10 tháng 3 Âm lịch) | Location: Vietnam
The Hung Kings National Ancestor Commemoration Festival, held annually on the 10th day of the third lunar month at the Hung Kings Temple Historical Complex on Mount Nghia Linh (Viet Tri City, Phu Tho province), is the supreme sacred national gala of Vietnam. Inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the Worship of Hung Kings, this official public holiday unites millions of Vietnamese citizens and overseas compatriots in ancestral pilgrimage to honor the legendary 18 dynasties of Hung Kings who established the ancient kingdom of Van Lang. The State Ceremonial component is executed with peerless imperial majesty: a vibrant royal sedan-chair procession accompanied by ceremonial gongs, brass horns, and colorful flags winds up the forested stone path of Mount Nghia Linh to Upper Temple (Thuong Temple); national heads of state and pilgrims offer fragrant incense, sacred water, and masterfully crafted square Banh Chung and round Banh Giay cakes in celestial homage. Simultaneously, millions light commemorative incense across thousands of satellite Hung King shrines nationwide. Complementing the solemn rites, the Ancestral Culture Week erupts into vibrant folk festivities: high-stakes competitions in artisanal Banh Chung wrapping and sticky-rice pounding (Banh Giay); authentic performances of UNESCO-recognized Xoan singing at heritage village shrines; traditional imperial dragon boat racing on the historic Bach Lac river confluence; dazzling fireworks over Van Lang Park Lake; and lively traditional wrestling matches, archery, and human chess spectacles that captivate hundreds of thousands of festive travelers.