(VOVworld) – The 2013 Hung Temple festival opens on Saturday night in Phu Tho province, honoring UNESCO’s recognition of Vietnam’s Hung Kings worshiping ritual as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Present were President Truong Tan Sang, representatives from ministries and localities, Overseas Vietnamese and tourists.

President Sang underlined the Vietnamese people’s tradition, saying the ritual of worshipping the Hung Kings, the founders of Vietnam, reflects the gratitude of generations of Vietnamese for their ancestors during national construction and defence. Sang added worshipping the Hung Kings is not only a spiritual activity that pray for peace, favorable weather, joy and happiness, but also reminds people of unity, love and origin. The ritual has been maintained for many generations, nurturing the Vietnamese soul, sentiment and will. This is the source of strength for the Vietnamese nation to overcome difficulties, develop and prosper.

Hung Kings worshiping ritual is recognized as world intangible cultural heritage
(Photo: VNA)

After the opening ceremony, there was a grand performance of 1,300 artists. The festival will last until Friday.

Meanwhile, incense burning ceremony was held on Sunday in the Hung Temple historical relic site, the most important rite of the Hung Temple festival. An exhibition of 120 photos and 50 paintings opened on Sunday in Viet Tri city. Do Ngoc Dung, President of Phu Tho province’s Arts and Literature Association, said: “This is one of practical cultural activities for tourists and pilgrims. This meaningful activity helps people understand more of photographic art”.

60 Overseas Vietnamese from 16 countries and territories including Ukraine, Britain, France, the US and Thailand on Saturday burnt incense at Hung Temple in Phu Tho province. 84-year-old Le Van Duyen from the US said this is his 6th visit to the festival:“We are very proud because we are Vietnamese. Although living far away, I always turn our hearts to the homeland. Whenever we come back the land of the Hung Kings, we feel as if we were in our native land. This year’s festival is more significant because the Hung King worshiping ritual is recognized by UNESCO as world heritage”.

Vo Xuan Hoai, President of the Vietnamese Association in France, said: “I am very happy to be here. I am very lucky to be able to visit my homeland and major projects of Vietnam and witness changes in this country”.

The 4th visit of Overseas Vietnamese was organized by the National Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.