Overseas Vietnamese on pilgrimage to honor Hung Kings

THE HANOI TIMES — A delegation of 50 overseas Vietnamese from 20 countries and territories returned to the ancestral land of Phu Tho on the morning of April 3 to pay tribute to the Hung Kings. The visit was organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOV) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The visit is an opportunity for overseas Vietnamese to reconnect with their roots and explore cooperation with local Vietnamese provinces.

The delegates offered incense at the Lac Long Quan Temple then visited the Ha, Trung, and Thuong temples, where they honored the Hung Kings, revered as the legendary founders of the nation. At Thuong Temple, considered the most sacred site in the complex, the delegation held a solemn tribute ceremony to express gratitude for the ancestors' merits in founding and safeguarding the nation.

For many, it was an emotional return to the spiritual roots of the Vietnamese people. Tran Quang Hien, a representative of the Vietnamese community in Thailand, shared his feelings upon visiting the temple for the first time.

"Being here, I feel an undeniable connection to my homeland. I'm proud of our national history and deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by previous generations," he said.

Similarly, Vu Thi Huyen, a long-time resident of South Korea, expressed emotion and vowed to teach younger generations abroad to honor their roots and uphold Vietnamese cultural traditions.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day, which falls on the 10th day of the third lunar month, holds great significance for Vietnamese communities abroad. Each year, Vietnamese embassies and associations around the world organize ceremonies to honor this important tradition.

The 2025 program highlighted the government's commitment to fortifying bonds with the Vietnamese diaspora, honoring cultural heritage, and fostering national unity. It's in line with the State Committee's annual agenda on overseas communities.

Later in the day, the delegation met with leaders of the Phu Tho People's Committee. Du Van Quang, Director of the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Union of Friendship Organizations, welcomed the delegation and noted that Phu Tho has consistently ranked among Vietnam's top ten provinces in export turnover, with an economy exceeding VND100 trillion (US$4 billion) in recent years.

He reiterated Phu Tho's gratitude for the support of overseas Vietnamese and expressed hope for continued cooperation in developing the ancestral land of the Hung Kings.

The SCOV's Head Nguyen Trung Kien stressed the significance of the Hung Kings commemoration program in strengthening ties between overseas Vietnamese and their roots. He expressed hope that Phu Tho will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee to implement key policies, including Resolution 36-NQ/TW, Directive 45-CT/TW and Conclusion 12-KL/TW on overseas Vietnamese affairs.

He also urged the province to streamline administrative procedures, facilitate their business, and engage in charitable work. In addition, he encouraged greater support for local overseas Vietnamese associations to enhance their role in linking communities at home and abroad.

In the afternoon, the delegation traveled to the northern province of Tuyen Quang for a working session with provincial leaders. Vice Chairman Hoang Viet Phuong said the visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase the province's culture, heritage, and development potential to the global Vietnamese community.

He called on overseas Vietnamese professionals to partner with the province in technology transfer, investment, and development, especially in agriculture, tourism, and trade. He also asked for the SCOV's continued support in connecting Tuyen Quang with prominent overseas Vietnamese for greater cooperation.

On this occasion, the delegation presented donations to Tuyen Quang's campaign for the elimination of substandard housing, showing overseas Vietnamese solidarity and compassion to those in need back home.