A Spirited Guide to Vietnam’s Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival 2025
- Faye Hilling
- Mar 17
- 6 min read
If there’s one Vietnamese celebration that truly rules, it’s the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival. Or as we like to call it: Vietnam’s royal throwback party with incense, processions, and a whole lot of sticky rice.
If you're a lover of history, a culture junkie, or just really into parades and food stalls (who isn’t?), this ancient-meets-awesome festival is worth marking on your calendar.
Let’s roll out the royal carpet and dive into everything you need to know about the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival—from mythical dragon-fairy origins to where to get the best bánh chưng while you're at it.
When is the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival 2025?
The Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival—known locally as Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương (go on, give it a try!)—takes place every year during the third lunar month, with the grand finale falling on the 10th day.
In 2007, this day was officially declared a national public holiday in Vietnam, giving everyone a reason to pause and pay tribute to the nation’s legendary founding fathers.
Thanks to a 2007 decision that totally crowned this occasion, that day is now a national public holiday in Vietnam.
Mark your calendar for 2025:
Festival dates: March 30th to April 7th, 2025 (1st to 10th day of the third lunar month)
Main celebration day: April 7th, 2025—this is when the biggest festivities go down
Where it happens: Phu Tho Province is the heart of it all, but celebrations echo across the country.
So, Who Were the Hùng Kings Anyway?
Think of the Hùng Kings as the OG founding fathers of Vietnam—but with more dragons, fairy queens, and ancient rice farming.
Legend says the first Hùng King, Kinh Dương Vương, came to power around 2879 BC, forming the ancient kingdom of Văn Lang.
Over the course of 18 generations, the Hùng Kings:
Built a unified Vietnamese identity,
Taught people how to grow wet rice,
And ruled over an area stretching from northern Vietnam into southern China.
While historians still debate the line between myth and fact, what’s undisputed is their symbolic role as cultural ancestors of all Vietnamese people.
What Happens at the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival?
The Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a full-blown cultural extravaganza with:
Spiritual ceremonies
Epic parades
Traditional games
Folk performances
And of course, legendary Vietnamese food
Over 5 million people trek to the main event in Phu Tho Province, and the whole vibe is a magical mashup of reverence and revelry.
Interesting Fact: In 2012, UNESCO officially crowned the festival’s worship rituals as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Pretty cool, right?
Where the Magic Happens: Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain
At the heart of the celebration is the Hùng Kings Temple Complex in Viet Tri City, nestled on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, about 85 km northwest of Hanoi.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Đền Hạ (Lower Temple)
Đền Trung (Middle Temple)
Đền Thượng (Upper Temple)
Pilgrims ascend more than 500 steps to reach the Upper Temple, where the main incense-offering ceremony takes place.
Each step is said to bring the Vietnamese closer to their ancestors (and a killer mountain view at the top).
Festival Highlights: What Not to Miss
1. Offering Rituals (Lễ Dâng Hương)
This is the spiritual centerpiece. Government officials, community leaders, and everyday pilgrims gather at the Upper Temple to offer:
Incense
Flowers
Sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng FTW!)
Prayers and gratitude to the kings
It’s solemn, beautiful, and goosebump-worthy.
2. Processions
These aren’t your average neighborhood parades. Picture:
Ceremonial flags
Palanquins carrying ancestral tablets
Drummers, dancers, and elders in traditional garb
And thousands of pilgrims trekking up the mountain together
The vibe? Sacred meets spectacular.
3. Games That Keep It Old-School
Let’s get physical—with traditional folk games that date back generations. You’ll see:
Bamboo swings (not for the faint-hearted)
Rice cooking contests (yes, that’s a thing and yes, it’s intense)
Wrestling matches
Tug-of-war and stick-pushing games
Who knew honoring your ancestors could be such a workout?
4. Culture, on Stage and Off
You’ll hear the sounds of ca trù and quan họ (traditional music), watch dazzling lion and dragon dances, and maybe even catch a water puppet show. Add in:
Folk tales come to life on stage
Dance performances by students
Music that’ll make your heart thump like a ceremonial drum
And suddenly, you’re part of a thousand-year story.
5. Temple Trekking
Visiting the temples isn’t just spiritual—it's scenic and soul-refreshing. As you ascend from Lower to Upper Temple, you walk a path of reflection, respect, and reconnection with Vietnam’s roots.
Festival Feels: A Royal Vibe with a Street Party Twist
Outside the temple complex, things get deliciously chaotic—in the best way.
Expect:
Food stalls galore: Sticky rice cakes, grilled meats, herbal teas, and chè (sweet desserts) make their grand appearances
Street performers
Craft markets
Families picnicking under the trees
And locals telling old legends over cups of tea and laughter
It’s a celebration of life, lineage, and lots of laughter.
How to Prepare for the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival
Ready to party like it’s 2879 BC? Here are your top tips:
1. Be an Early Bird
The crowds? Massive. The energy? Electric. But if you want good views and less hustle, get there early, especially on the 10th day.
2. Dress Respectfully (and Comfortably!)
You’ll be climbing, sweating, and visiting sacred spaces. Keep your shoulders and knees covered, and wear shoes you can actually walk in.
Related article: Cultural Etiquette in Vietnam: 20 Dos and Don'ts for Respectful Travel.
3. Bring Water and Snacks
April in northern Vietnam = warm and toasty. Hydrate like a hero and carry some energy-boosting bites.
4. Bring Cash (Cards May Let You Down)
Most local vendors are cash-only.
Pro tip: Bring small denominations for snacks, souvenirs, and spontaneous donations.
5. Learn a Few Vietnamese Phrases
A little effort goes a long way! Try:
“Xin chào!” – Hello!
“Cảm ơn!” – Thank you!
“Lễ hội này tuyệt quá!” – This festival is awesome!
6. Book Your Stay Early
Hotels in Phu Tho fill up fast. Secure your accommodation at least a month in advance if you can.
7. Explore More While You're There
Stick around and discover nearby gems like:
Xuan Son National Park
Hung Vuong Museum
Tam Dao Mountain
Duong Lam Ancient Village (on your way back to Hanoi)
Local Bites to Sink Your Teeth Into
Come for the kings, stay for the carbs. Don’t leave without trying:
Bánh chưng: Square sticky rice cakes with pork and mung beans
Cơm lam: Bamboo-tube rice cooked over an open flame
Chè đậu xanh: Sweet mung bean dessert soup
Nem Phu Tho: Phu Tho-style spring rolls with a local twist
Calories don’t count during cultural festivals, right?
Related article: Food on the Ha Giang Loop: A Vegan & Allergy-Friendly Guide.
Why the Hùng Kings' Temple Festival Is More Than Just a Holiday
Like any Vietnamese festival, the Hùng King’s celebration is about gratitude, unity, and heritage. It's a chance for the Vietnamese people—at home or abroad—to come together and remember where they came from.
The Hùng Kings may be long gone, but their legacy? Alive and kicking (and dancing, and feasting) every single year.
So whether you’re a spiritual soul, a cultural adventurer, or just looking for a reason to eat your body weight in bánh chưng—this is one Vietnamese festival that deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.
The Final Bow
The Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival is a rare cultural experience that blends legendary history, sacred rituals, and joyful celebration into one unforgettable event.
From climbing sacred mountains to catching a lion dance, this festival isn’t just about honoring the past—it’s about living your best cultural life in the present.
So pack your bags, brush up on your Vietnamese, and prepare to party with kings. Long may they reign—in our hearts and our holiday calendars!
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