Hung Kings Commemorations in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Hung Kings Commemorations honor the Hùng kings as ancestral figures in the country’s national origins. The main anniversary falls on the tenth day of the third lunar month, with worship and a major pilgrimage centered on Hùng Temple in Phú Thọ Province.[1][2]
A national day of remembrance
The commemoration connects family and community worship with a shared account of Vietnamese origins. UNESCO describes the Hùng Kings worship tradition as an expression of spiritual solidarity and an occasion to remember national origins and Vietnamese cultural identity.[2]
The Hùng kings are honored in Vietnamese tradition as ancestors who helped establish the country. The observance is a day for paying respect to them and other forebears; this commemorative meaning does not require treating legendary accounts as verified historical fact.[2][3]
Date and legal holiday status
The anniversary is observed on the tenth day of the third lunar month, so its Gregorian date changes from year to year. Vietnam’s Labour Code designates one day for the Hùng Kings’ Commemoration and provides that workers receive their regular wages while off work on statutory holidays.[1]
If the holiday coincides with an employee’s weekly rest day, the Labour Code provides a compensatory rest day on the next working day. The rule concerns employees’ rest entitlement; the law does not itself specify that every shop, bank, school or transport service must close.[1]
Worship and festival customs
The main pilgrimage site is the Hùng Temple on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain in Phú Thọ. UNESCO reports that millions of people gather there annually to honor their ancestors and pray for good weather, plentiful harvests, good luck and good health. The principal ancestral anniversary festival takes place over about a week near the beginning of the third lunar month.[2]
Rituals and performances form part of the observance. UNESCO describes processions with palanquins and objects of worship, drums and gongs, prayers, petitions and Xoan singing. Communities also make offerings of rice-based foods, including square cakes and glutinous cakes.[2]
A tradition practiced beyond Phú Thọ
Phú Thọ is the central pilgrimage destination, but Hùng Kings worship is not confined to the temple complex. UNESCO records secondary worship sites across the country, where communities maintain the practice throughout the year. The national holiday therefore sits within a broader tradition of local worship and community observances.[2]
For visitors, the best-supported practical expectation is that the temple area draws very large pilgrimage crowds around the anniversary. The Labour Code sets paid leave for employees but does not establish a nationwide closing schedule for businesses or public services. Check local opening hours and travel arrangements before visiting.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
When are the Hung Kings Commemorations?
The anniversary is on the tenth day of the third lunar month. Its Gregorian date changes each year.[1]
Is it a paid day off in Vietnam?
Yes. The Labour Code gives workers one day off with regular wages for the Hùng Kings’ Commemoration.[1]
What happens if the holiday falls on a weekly rest day?
The Labour Code provides a compensatory rest day on the next working day when a weekly rest day coincides with a public holiday.[1]
Where do the main ceremonies take place?
The main pilgrimage is to Hùng Temple on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain in Phú Thọ Province. Hùng Kings worship also takes place at local sites around the country.[2]
Are shops, banks and transport services closed?
The law establishes workers’ leave but does not require every shop, bank or transport service to close. Opening hours and service schedules can vary, so check locally.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Hung Kings Commemorations in Vietnam:
- Nghị quyết số 45/2019/QH14 bộ luật Lao động.- Công báo nước Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam (Official Gazette of the Government of Vietnam)
- Worship of Hùng kings in Phú Thọ- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Chi tiết thời gian, kế hoạch tổ chức Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương - Lễ hội Đền Hùng và Tuần Văn hóa - Du lịch Đất Tổ 2026- Báo điện tử Chính phủ (Government Electronic Newspaper)