Restoration progress on the Hung Kings Temple Relic Site in the northern midland province of Phu Tho has been pushed forward to welcome the national festival taking place on April 28, said director of the Site Lưu Quang Huy.
The repairs are focused on the Thien Quang pagoda and the landscape around Den Ha (Lower Temple), costing over 67 billion VND (3.1 million USD).
A road to the temples in the sacred Nghia Linh Mountain was inaugurated to facilitate visitors to the relic site. In addition, numerous facilities have been built to ensure the cultural space in the site such as a pond, yard and parking lot.
Mr. Lưu Quang Huy said that the Hung Kings Temple Relic Complex has become more magnificent than a decade ago thanks to the prioritized restoration investment. He highlighted that from 2010, over 700 billion VND (32.6 million USD) has been allocated to the embellishment projects in the relic site.
Numerous celebratory activities will be held in the province from April 23-28 to commemorate the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of Van Lang – the first State in Vietnam’s history.
A ceremony marking the Hung Kings’ death anniversary will be organized on April 28, or the 10th day of the third lunar month, known as the national commemorative day.
Before that, other ceremonies will be held to commemorate the death anniversary of the Hung Kings’ father Lac Long Quan and pay tribute to their mother Au Co on April 24.
Phu Tho authorities have assured that they have employed comprehensive measures to ensure security, order and safety for the festival, which expects to welcome 6-7 million visitors.
The worshipping rituals of the Hung Kings are closely related to the ancestral worshipping tradition of most Vietnamese families which forms an important part of people's spiritual lives. It was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
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