Phu Tho (VNA) – The northern mountainous province of Phu Tho is implementing measures to conserve and promote the Hung Kings worship ritual,🎀 according to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ha🔜 Ke San.

The province and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism developed a national action programme for this purpose, which has been approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, San said. The locality has developed a detailed plan for implementing the programme as part of activities to realise UNESCO commitments on preserving intangible cultural heritage. A research project has been carried out in a bid to revive and standardise the ritual at relevant worshipping sites in the province, as well as nationwide. Communication and publicity campaigns have been strengthened to promote the ritual and festival. They will also help the public understand the value of the heritage and the importance of protecting it. According to the Deputy Director of the Hung Kings Temple Relic Site Management Board, Nguyen Duy Anh, the board has cooperated with relevant bodies to make lists of Hung Kings worshipping sites, collect related legends, relevant documents and practices, in tandem with maintenance work. In the coming time, the locality will join hands with ministries and sectors to accelerate the implementation of the national programme on protecting and promoting the Hung Kings worship ritual in accordance with the UNESCO Convention signed in 2003. The locality aims to mobilise different resources for the work, while focusing on enhancing the capability of local management forces. Additionally, Phu Tho has developed tourism services that address the religion and relevant sites across the country. Hung Kings are the ancient Vietnamese rulers of Van Lang Kingdom in the Hong Bang period (2879–258 BC). According to Vietnamese legend, the 18 Hung Kings ruled during the first period of Vietnamese history, from 2879-258 BC. The Hung Kings Festival is held annually from the eight to the eleventh days of the third lunar month. The worshipping ritual of the Hung Kings is closely related to the ancestor worshipping traditions in most Vietnamese families, which forms an important part of people's spiritual lives. It was recognised by UNESCO as part of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.-VNA