The usual bustling, crowded atmosphere gives way to a quieter, more solemn and sacred space of the ancestral land. In that setting, the night tour “Hung Kings’ Temple – Illuminating the Roots” offers visitors an emotional journey back to their roots, both novel and deeply imbued with cultural depth.
The most distinctive feature of the night tour is the sense of pilgrimage in the tranquil mountain setting.
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Visitors carrying bamboo lanterns begin their night journey at Hung Kings’ Temple. |
Under soft lighting, visitors carry bamboo lanterns up ancient stone steps to the temples. This lantern light creates a mystical beauty while evoking warmth and intimacy throughout the journey.
The tour leads through key sites, including Ha (Lower), Trung (Middle), and Thuong (Upper) Temples, before concluding at Gieng (Well) Temple. At each stop, visitors learn about the history and significance of these sacred spaces while offering incense in a solemn atmosphere.
Many visitors noted that while daytime visits highlight the scale and vibrancy of the site, the nighttime experience reveals a deeper, contemplative dimension.
Nguyen Thi Huong, from Hanoi’s Ba Dinh ward, shared that despite many daytime visits, this first night tour felt completely different. For her, walking through the mountain stillness with a bamboo lantern made the journey special. It was not merely sightseeing, but an opportunity to slow down and reflect on national roots and traditions.
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The temple gate glows brightly, serving as a striking architectural highlight at night. |
The night tour has drawn strong support from both tourists and local residents. Ha Van Dung, from Phu Tho province’s Viet Tri ward, noted that the tour successfully refreshes the site’s tourism appeal. While the Hung Kings’ Temple is a well-known spiritual destination during festivals, its nighttime operation offers a new attraction while preserving its inherent solemnity, helping visitors better appreciate the cultural depth of the ancestral land.
In Phu Tho province’s development strategy, refreshing the the Hung Kings’ Temple experience promotes the ancestral land's image and unlocks opportunities for the night-time economy.
Bui Xuan Truong, Deputy Director of the Phu Tho Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: “The night tour is organized to develop the night-time economy, enabling visitors to pay homage to UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage in a novel setting, while starting a series of cultural events in 2026.”
Translated by Chung Anh