A ceremony was held on April 2 in Phu Tho to offer the biggest bronze drum to the Upper Temple in the Hung Temple National Historic Relic.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Thi Kim Hai, Vice Chairwoman of the Phu Tho provincial People’s Committee, highlighted the history of the Hung Kings Temple which is closely linked with ancient bronze drums found at the foot of Nghia Linh Mountain. The bronze drums have great significance for the Hung Temple National Historical Relic, she added.

Ms Hai emphasised that the offering of bronze drums shows people’s sincerity and respect for the Hung Kings. The offering aims to promote cultural preservation in line with the late President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings: “the Hung Kings had the merit of founding our country, you and I must defend it together.”

The death anniversary of the Hung Kings will be commemorated together with the Hung Kings Temple Festival from April 7 (the fifth day of the third lunar month) to April 12 (the 10th day of the third lunar month) in Phu Tho province.

Legend has it that the dragon, Lac Long Quan, met and married the fairy, Au Co, who later gave birth to 100 eggs from which 100 children sprang forth. The couple then parted because of their different origins. The dragon went towards the sea with 50 of their children, while his wife went to the mountains with the other half of the clan. The eldest son, who followed his father, later installed himself as Vietnam's first Hung King. Vietnamese people today are said to be the descendants of those children.