PHÚ THỌ - A series of cultural, sports and tourism events will be held from April 9 – 18 in the northern province of Phú Thọ to commemorate Kings Hùng - the legendary founders of the nation.

A view of the Kings Hùng Temple Festival in Phú Thọ. VNA/VNS Photo

A plan for organising the events has been built by the local authorities, Nguyễn Đắc Thủy, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said.

Accordingly, in addition to ceremonial and festive activities, a marathon will be organised at the Kings Hùng Temple historical site with the competition of 6,000 athletes nationwide.

On this occasion, the province will inaugurate a bas-relief featuring "President Hồ Chí Minh talking to officers and soldiers from the Vietnam People’s Army at Giếng Temple intersection”.

An art performance programme highlighting cultural heritage will be held every Saturday evening at the Hùng Vương Museum in Việt Trì City.

A men's football tournament has kicked off, attracting the participation of 210 players from Việt Trì City, 13 districts and the provincial Police and Hùng Vương University.

At a conference to discuss the plan to organise the celebration of the death anniversary of Kings Hùng and an event named “Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week 2024”, Hồ Đại Dũng, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee [Government], asked members of the organising board to strengthen coordination to complete tasks on schedule.

The commemoration of the Kings Hùng comes on the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 18 this year and is a national holiday. The practice of worshipping them in Phú Thọ was recognised by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2012.

Main rituals during the event include ceremonies to offer incense to Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ - the progenitors of Việt Nam - as well as flower offerings at the monument to President Hồ with soldiers from the Việt Nam People’s Army. VNS