Vietnam Hung Kings Festival 2026: 500K Visitors, Historic Scale
Unprecedented Hung Kings Festival in Phu Tho draws 500K visitors with fireworks, heritage ceremonies.
Festival Overview
The Hung Kings Commemoration Day 2026 runs from April 17 to 26 at the Hung Kings Temple on Nghia Linh Mountain, Phu Tho province. This marks the first festival since the merger of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh into the expanded Phu Tho province.
All 148 communes participate for the first time, organized into 18 clusters. UNESCO recognized the worship of Hung Kings as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
Photo: VNA / VietnamPlus
Key Numbers
Main Activities
Bronze Drum Performances
Dong Son bronze drums sound at the start of each ceremony day, symbolizing community strength and millennia-old tradition.
Xoan and Soong Co Singing
UNESCO intangible heritage, Xoan singing is Vietnam's oldest ritual music, combining singing and dance at temple ceremonies.
Traditional Boat Racing
Teams from 18 clusters compete on the Lo River, reenacting the waterborne life of ancient Vietnamese people.
Muong Culture (Debut)
For the first time ever, the Muong community presents gong performances and folk songs at the Hung Kings Festival.
Crossbow Shooting and Banh Chung
Traditional crossbow competitions and banh chung (square rice cake) making attract large crowds of locals and tourists.
Incense Offerings at Temple
The main ritual: incense offerings to commemorate the Hung Kings at the temple atop Nghia Linh Mountain, symbol of national origins.
Expanded Phu Tho Province
2026 marks the first festival after the merger of Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, and Hoa Binh into the new expanded Phu Tho province. This merger brings more diverse participation, especially the Muong community from the former Hoa Binh region.
Infrastructure has been significantly upgraded: the stairway to Au Co Temple was renovated, Cay Khe Lake was restored, and a new lighting system was installed throughout the heritage complex.
Festival Schedule
Festival Opening
Opening ceremony with bronze drum and folk song performances, marking the start of 10 days of festivities. Incense processions from 18 clusters begin.
Cultural Activities
Boat racing on Lo River, crossbow shooting, banh chung making, Xoan and Soong Co performances. First-ever Muong culture with gong ensembles.
Main Ceremony Day
Main incense offering at Hung Kings Temple atop Nghia Linh Mountain. 500,000 visitors expected. Ceremony presided by senior leaders.
Festival Gallery
Photo: VNA / VietnamPlus
The Hung Kings Festival is not just a religious event but also an occasion for Vietnamese people worldwide to connect with their roots. The saying 'Wherever you go, remember the Ancestors' Commemoration on the 10th of March' serves as a profound reminder of national unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful information for visitors attending the Hung Kings Festival 2026.