The Impression of the Hung Kings Temple Night Tour

Amid the nationwide spirit of honoring the Hung Kings during the Hung Kings’ Commemoration, the Hung Kings Temple Festival, and the Ancestral Land Culture–Tourism Week 2026 (Year of the Horse), the night tour titled “Sacred Ancestral Roots of Hung Kings Temple” has emerged as a remarkable highlight. It offers visitors a deeply meaningful and distinctive experience. Under the enchanting veil of night, the Hung Kings Temple becomes both intimate and sacred, stirring pride and a strong sense of connection to Vietnam’s origins.

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On the evening of March 19, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM, the first night tour of the year welcomed a large number of delegates, tourism representatives, journalists, and visitors. Unlike the lively daytime scene, the temple at night exudes tranquility and reflection. In this peaceful setting, each step of the pilgrims feels slower, more reverent, and more heartfelt.

The journey begins at the Festival Center gate, where gentle golden lighting blends with shimmering lanterns, guiding visitors up Nghia Linh Mountain. In the stillness of the night, the echo of temple bells combined with the subtle fragrance of incense creates a mystical and deeply spiritual atmosphere.

The first stop is Ha Temple (Lower Temple), linked to the legend of Mother Au Co, who gave birth to a sac of one hundred eggs that hatched into one hundred sons—the origin of the Vietnamese people. Illuminated by soft lantern light, the space becomes even more solemn, reminding visitors of their shared heritage.

Continuing upward, visitors arrive at Trung Temple (Middle Temple), where the story of Lang Lieu presenting Banh Chung and Banh Giay to his father is preserved. This tale, symbolizing gratitude and remembrance of one’s roots, reflects the core values of Vietnam’s wet rice civilization.

The highlight of the tour is Thuong Temple (Upper Temple), where the Hung Kings once conducted rituals to Heaven and Earth, praying for peace and prosperity. In the quiet night, the sound of rustling leaves and the flicker of candlelight during the incense-offering ceremony create a profoundly sacred atmosphere. The glowing candles in the Nghia Linh forest not only illuminate the surroundings but also ignite a deep sense of pride and gratitude toward the ancestors.

The journey concludes at Gieng Temple (Well Temple), dedicated to Princesses Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa. With its clear water and serene ambiance, this final stop provides a moment of calm reflection, completing the spiritual experience. Many visitors noted that the stillness of the night allowed them to better appreciate the cultural and historical significance of this sacred site.

For many, the night tour is more than a new tourism product—it offers a fresh perspective on heritage. Free from the crowds and noise, the spiritual space reveals its true depth, enabling visitors to connect more profoundly with their roots.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Hoang Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, the tour is typically organized before and during the annual festival. She expressed hope that it would encourage people to explore the site at night, offering a new and enriching spiritual tourism experience while contributing to the diversification of the province’s tourism offerings.

To ensure the success of the tour, the site has carefully prepared a detailed program and invested in lighting, landscape design, and security systems. Activities such as visiting the Hung Kings Museum, offering incense at the Upper Temple, and exploring cultural spaces are thoughtfully arranged to create a smooth and engaging journey.

The introduction of the night tour not only enriches Phu Tho’s tourism portfolio but also signals a new direction for cultural and spiritual tourism. With a focus on enhancing service quality and immersive experiences, such initiatives are expected to attract more visitors and encourage longer stays.

During this year’s Hung Kings’ Commemoration and Ancestral Land Culture–Tourism Week, the night tour is set to be a standout feature, helping to promote Phu Tho—the ancestral homeland of the Vietnamese people—to both domestic and international audiences.

Source: Phu Tho Newspaper

Photos: Collected.