The Hung Vuong (Hung Kings) Cultural Research and Development Centre, under the management of the Viet Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), on Tuesday, opened its Quang Nam-Da Nang branch at 89 Yen Bai Street, Hai Chau District, Da Nang.

A view of the opening ceremony for the Quang Nam-Da Nang branch of the Hung Vuong (Hung Kings) Cultural Research and Development Centre

Addressing the event, municipal People’s Committee Standing Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung highlighted the significance of the Quang Nam-Da Nang branch in educating young generations about ardent patriotism and glorious national history, and especially in line with the late President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings that “the Hung Kings had the merit of founding our country, you and I have to defend it together”.

Vice Chairman Dung also vowed that favourable conditions would be created for the branch to carry out its effective programmes in the city.

Founded in 2015, the cultural research centre focuses on the era of the Hung Kings (2879 – 258 BC) perceived as the founders of Viet Nam. In particular, it looks at the tangible and intangible values, along with the history of national foundation and defence so as to promote Vietnamese people’s sense of patriotism.

Legend has it that Lac Long Quan (the son of Kinh Duong Vuong and Than Long Nu) married the fairy Au Co (the daughter of Heaven’s God De Lai). Au Co then gave birth to a pouch of 100 eggs, which hatched into 100 sons, believed to be Viet Nam’s earliest ancestors.

They decided to separate in order to populate the land. Half of the children followed their mother to the highlands, while the rest went with their father to the sea.

Their eldest son was made the first king, who named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (nowadays in northern Phu Tho Province), starting the 18 reigns of the Hung Kings.

The worship of the Hung Kings is related to the ancestral worshipping traditions of most Vietnamese families, which forms an important part of Vietnamese people’s spiritual life. It was recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.

The main commemoration of Lac Long Quan, Au Co, and the Hung Kings is held annually at the Hung Kings’ Temple complex in Phu Tho Province on the 10^th day of the 3^rd lunar month.