Custom of worshipping Hung Kings becomes heritage of mankind

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially approved the decision on recognizing the custom of worshipping Hung Kings in Phu Tho province as intangible heritage of mankind

Rituals of Hung Kings death anniversary in March (lunar calendar) in the Northern province of Phu Tho

The Decision was approved on December 06, in the 7th meeting of Inter-government Committee for the Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paris (France).

Ambassador Duong Van Quang, Head of the Viet Nam Permanent Delegation to UNESCO said that this is good news, an honor for Vietnamese people in general and local residents of Phu Tho Province in particular.

UNESCO’s recognition on the custom of worshipping Hung Kings in Phu Tho province means that Vietnamese cultural vitality has integrated into the common flow of world culture.

UNESCO experts said that the custom of worshipping Hung Kings represents the respect to ancestors, increasing the national pride and solidarity; which will, in case of being recognized, encourage the gratitude to the ancestors in many countries worldwide as well as the common awareness of respecting cultural diversity in the community.

The measures for preserving, promoting the custom values will be covered by the State budget and local government. Such measures aim to maintain and develop the belief, and remain the sacredness and other regulations of the custom.