Hung Temple is a famous and ancient temple complex in Phu Tho. It is a convergence of the quintessential cultural values of the Vietnamese nation. Particularly on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, the annual commemoration day of the Hung Kings, it attracts a large number of tourists for ceremonies and incense offerings to remember the nation’s founding ancestors.
On New Year occasions, and especially on the Hung Kings’ death anniversary, it welcomes millions of Vietnamese who visit Hung Temple. Join RuudNguyen.com to explore this fascinating tourist destination.
The Hung Temple historical site is located in Co Tich village, Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province. This site is dedicated to the worship of the Hung Kings, the founding fathers of the Vietnamese nation.
In ancient times, this land was the central area of the Van Lang country, situated between two large rivers, resembling two massive natural moats encircling the ancient capital of the Hung Kings.
Though one may travel far and wide; Remember the ancestral commemoration on the tenth of March.” (Collected Photo)
To the east lie the majestic mountain ranges. This land, rich in rivers, lakes, hills, and fertile fields enriched by alluvial deposits from three rivers, is conducive to settled farming life and also strategically advantageous for defense or retreat during tribal conflicts.
Today, remnants of the dwellings from the era of the Hung Kings are found in dozens of archaeological sites, densely scattered from Lam Thao district to the confluence of Bach Hac – Viet Tri. These archaeological sites are evidence of an era, with bronze metallurgy and wet rice cultivation, that existed thousands of years before the Common Era.
Each year, on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, the commemoration day of the Hung Kings, the Hung Temple historical site hosts numerous activities and festivals, such as the King’s palanquin procession and the incense offering ceremony, attended by many people from across the country to express their reverence to the ancient kings. This unique cultural aspect has become an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people:
“Though one may travel far and wide,
Remember the ancestral commemoration on the tenth of March.”
The best time to visit Hung Temple is during early spring when the weather is relatively mild and pleasant. This period also coincides with many major festivals. The annual Hung Kings’ Commemoration Festival is held on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, making it an ideal time to visit Phu Tho and explore Hung Temple.
Visiting Hung Temple during the Hung Kings Festival, you should be aware that it is extremely crowded at this time (Collected Photo)
However, it’s important to note that the influx of tourists during the Hung Kings Festival is immense. If you’re traveling from afar to Phu Tho, remember to book your accommodation well in advance, as finding a room becomes much more challenging closer to the date.
For those traveling by motorcycle or car, there are two routes to choose from:
For traveling to Hung Temple by train, there are two options. Get off at Viet Tri station and then walk to Hung Vuong street to catch bus number 19, which passes near Hung Temple. Alternatively, disembark at Tien Kien station (Lam Thao) and take a motorbike taxi or regular taxi to Hung Temple (about 4km away).
From Hanoi station, two trains stop at Viet Tri station: YB3 and SP3. YB3 departs from Hanoi at 6:10 AM and arrives in Viet Tri at 8:20 AM. SP3 leaves Hanoi at 10 PM and reaches Viet Tri at 11:50 PM. Only YB3 stops at Tien Kien station at 8:55 AM.
From My Dinh bus station, there are many bus routes to various districts in Phu Tho, allowing for flexible travel planning. To reach Hung Temple by bus, choose services heading to Phu Tho Town, as these pass by the entrance to Hung Temple.
The Hung Temple historical complex offers electric car services from parking areas to the entrance of Hung Temple and other locations within the site. The service is reasonably priced, and for larger groups, it’s possible to rent an entire car for more convenience in moving around.
Electric cars serving tourists at the Hung Temple festival center (Collected Photo)
Usually, visitors to Hung Temple tend to make a day trip and return the same day. However, if you are from a place relatively far from Phu Tho, or wish to arrive at Hung Temple the evening before and stay overnight, you can choose from various hotels and guesthouses in Viet Tri and enjoy the culinary delights of Phu Tho.
The gate of the temple, built on Nghia Linh mountain in the second year of Khai Dinh (1917), is an arched style, 8.5 meters high, featuring two stories with eight roofs. The lower level has one large arch, while the upper level of the gate has a smaller arch, with the corners of the roofs decorated with dragons and two embossed Nghes.
The front of the gate is embossed with reliefs of two warriors, one holding a spear and the other an axe, both wearing armor with tiger motifs on their chests.
Entrance to Hung Temple (Collected Photo)
The Lower Temple was rebuilt on its original site around the 17th-18th century in a “Nhị” (double) style, consisting of the front worship hall and the rear sanctuary, each with three sections, spaced 1.5 meters apart. The architecture is simple, featuring continuous arches, with rafters resting on the beam ends making the rear roof longer than the front.
The rafters are connected to the walls of the rear sanctuary, with relief sculptures on both sides, one of an elephant and the other of a horse. The roof ridge is flat and undecorated, covered with pig-snout tiles, locally known as “ngoi mui lon.”
Lower Temple within the Hung Temple complex (Collected Photo)
According to legend, this is the place where Au Co, the mother of the Vietnamese community, gave birth to a sac containing a hundred eggs, which later hatched into a hundred sons, the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. The term “đồng bào” (compatriots), meaning “from the same sac,” originates from this legend.
As the children grew up, their father Lac Long Quan took fifty of them to the coastal regions to reclaim land and expand territories. Their mother Au Co led the remaining forty-nine children to the mountainous regions to cultivate silkworms, weave fabric, and establish life there. The eldest son stayed to become the king, continuing the lineage of eighteen generations of Hung Kings.
At the base of the Lower Temple is the Stele House with a hexagonal structure and six roofs. The peak is adorned with a wine jar figure, six roofs covered with inner tiles and exterior cement plaster, and six round brick columns with balustrades. The house initially held a stele recording the renovation of the road to Mount Hung. Now, it houses a stone stele inscribed with President Ho Chi Minh’s words during his visit to Hung Temple on September 19, 1945:
“The Hung Kings had the merit of building the country.
We must together preserve our country.”
Originally named “Vien Son Ancient Pagoda,” later renamed “Thien Quang Zen Pagoda.” Built during the Tran Dynasty and reconstructed in the 15th century, the Nguyen Dynasty saw its major renovation.
The pagoda now has an “I”-shaped architecture, including three halls – the front hall (5 compartments), Tam bao (3 compartments), and the Upper Shrine (3 compartments), with continuous arches resting on round pillar heads. The outside has a surrounding corridor. The pagoda’s roof is covered with pig-snout tiles, with curved sword-like edges and dragon decorations on the roof ridge. The pagoda worships Buddha in the Mahayana tradition.
In front of the pagoda stands a nearly eight-hundred-year-old Banyan tree. Here, on September 19, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh worked under this tree before returning to take over the capital Hanoi.
Also known as the “Hung Kings’ Ancestral Temple,” this temple was built during the Ly-Tran Dynasty. In the 15th century, it was destroyed by Ming invaders and later rebuilt. The current structure is simple, with a single hall of three compartments, no columns, continuous arches with round pillars resting against the walls, and a pig-snout tiled roof.
Central Temple (Collected Photo)
Legend has it that this was the place where the Hung Kings, along with their officials Lac Hau and Lac Tuong, would enjoy the scenery and discuss state affairs. It is said that here, the sixth Hung King abdicated the throne in favor of his filial and inventive son, Lang Lieu, the creator of the traditional square and round rice cakes, Banh Chung and Banh Day.
(Kinh Thien Linh Dien) was built on the old foundation of a shrine dedicated to the mountain god, the rice god, and Saint Giong. This place was frequently used by the Hung Kings to conduct rituals and prayers for favorable weather, bountiful crops, and the well-being and happiness of their people.
Upper Temple (Collected Photo)
It is documented that the Upper Temple was built in the 15th century. Currently, the temple has three sections, with roofs featuring curved dragon-head tiles. The temple’s entrance is marked by a hoanh phi with the inscription: “Nam Viet Trieu To” (The Eternal Ancestor of Vietnam). Inside the temple, there’s a large inscription: “Tu Ton Bao Chi” (Descendants must cherish and preserve).
Additionally, the temple is adorned with many couplets praising the virtues of the sacred ancestors. The altar inside the temple holds the spirit tablets of 18 Hung Kings (“Hung Do Thap Bat The Thanh Vuong Thanh Vi”) and three mountain gods: Dot Ngot Cao Son (Nghia Linh Mountain), Ap Son (Troc Mountain), and Vien Son (Van Mountain). In front of the temple stand two stone pillars, traditionally believed to have been erected by King An Duong Vuong, vowing to forever safeguard the lands of the Hung lineage.
Legend states that this is the tomb of the sixth Hung King, who before passing away instructed to be buried on Mount Ca so that even from a high altitude, he could continue to watch over and protect the land for his descendants.
Hung Kings’ Tomb (Collected Photo)
Initially a burial mound, the site was transformed into a formal tomb during the 27th year of Emperor Tu Duc’s reign (1870). Subsequently, it underwent extensive renovation in the 2nd year of Emperor Khai Dinh’s reign (1922), resulting in its current form.
Located at the foot of Nghia Linh Mountain, this temple is built over the Ngoc Well. Legend has it that this was the place where the two daughters of King Hung Due Vuong, Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa, used to gaze at their reflections and comb their hair. The Well Temple was constructed in the 18th century, consisting of three parallel structures with two auxiliary buildings on either side.
Ancient Well at the Hung Kings Temple Complex (Collected Photo)
Known as Ngoc Tinh in Vietnamese, this ancient well is believed to be the spot where the two princesses, Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa, daughters of the 18th Hung King, often looked at their reflections and combed their hair while accompanying their father on his journeys through the area. Acknowledged for their contributions to agriculture and water management, the local people erected a temple in their honor.
The Temple of the Mother Goddess Au Co is situated atop Van Mountain (also known as Oc Son Mountain), in Co Tich Hamlet, Hy Cuong Commune, Viet Tri City, Phu Tho Province. Standing 170.2 meters above sea level, it’s part of the “Tam Son forbidden area,” encompassing Mount Hung, Mount Truc, and Mount Van.
Au Co Mother Goddess Temple (Collected Photo)
Perched on the summit of Van Mountain, the Au Co Mother Goddess Temple provides a sweeping view of the enchanting mountain and river landscape. In front lies Hung Mountain, the sacred site for the worship of the Hung Kings. From afar, Hung Mountain resembles the head of a mighty dragon, with its body winding through Truc and Van Mountains.
To the left flows the Red River and to the right the Lo River, encircling the three “Ancestor Mountains” like silk ribbons. Behind Van Mountain are hills resembling upturned bowls, linked to the legend of “A Hundred Elephants Bowing to the Ancestral Land.” The site’s awe-inspiring natural beauty is imbued with the sacred energy of the landscape.
Situated on a hill in Hy Cuong Commune, Viet Tri City, just 100 meters from the Hung Kings Temple gate, the “national” Hung Kings Museum is a two-story structure covering nearly 1,000m². Although modern, it retains a distinct national character, blending grandeur with elegance.
Designed by the Vietnam Association of Architects, it reflects the ancient Vietnamese worldview of a round heaven and a square earth. Viewed from the summit of Nghia Linh Mountain, the museum resembles a giant square box, evoking the legend of Chung and Day cakes in Vietnamese mythology.
Hung Kings Museum in the Hung Kings Temple Complex (Collected Photo)
The Hung Kings Museum is one of the most beautiful, spacious, and majestic museums in the northern provinces of Vietnam. Currently, the museum houses over 11,000 original artifacts reflecting the history and development of Phu Tho province from prehistoric times to the present.
The museum’s exhibition space is spread across three floors. The permanent exhibitions on the second and third floors cover an area of 4,100 m². Nearly 2,000 original artifacts are displayed under five main themes, spanning the historical process of Phu Tho province from the era of the Hung Kings to the Ho Chi Minh era.
The Lac Long Quan Ancestral Temple, part of the Hung Kings Historical Relic Complex in Phu Tho, is renowned not only for its association with the “Dragon Lord and Fairy Descendants” legend but also for its solemn and grand architecture. It is favorably situated in a geomantic landscape described as “mountains bowing to gather waters.
Lac Long Quan Ancestral Temple (Collected Photo)
The Lac Long Quan Ancestral Temple, initiated on March 26, 2007, at Sim Hill, is located approximately 1km from Nghia Linh Mountain in a prime location that embodies the “mountain embracing water” geomantic principle.
Covering an area of 13 hectares, the temple complex is situated on a hill resembling a giant tortoise, flanked by Thanh Long (Azure Dragon) and Bach Ho (White Tiger), with Hoc Trai Lake and the Red River flowing towards the sea in front, symbolizing sacred and mystical significance. The complex includes several structures: the main gate, a symbolic gate, a ceremonial yard, a pavilion, left and right auxiliary buildings, and the main worship area.
The main worship area, covering 210m², consists of a front worship hall, main hall, and inner sanctuary. The interiors are crafted from ironwood and feature gold-plated lacquer. The roofs are covered with Bat Trang ceramic tiles, and the floor is laid with Bat Trang bricks and bordered with blue stone.
The inner sanctuary houses a 1.5-ton bronze statue of Lac Long Quan, measuring 1.98 meters in height, depicting him seated on a throne with a dignified demeanor, placed on a stone pedestal adorned with Dong Son culture motifs. Flanking him are statues of Lac Hau and Lac Tuong, each standing 1.80 meters tall and weighing 0.5 tons.
The temple also proudly displays two bas-reliefs, one depicting “Lac Long Quan with his 50 sons descending to the sea” and the other “Au Co with her 50 sons ascending the mountains.” Built in 2007 and completed in 2009, the temple’s architecture is entirely traditional.
Visitors enter the temple by crossing a bridge over Hoc Trai Lake, where golden carp swim, adding harmony and vitality. The main gate, also known as the ceremonial gate, features four blue stone columns with four-sided floral motifs.
Inside is the symbolic gate, constructed like a house roof with decorative patterns stylized from Dong Son drum motifs, such as images of rice pounding and the Lac bird, enhancing the temple’s solemnity and sacredness. The temple’s side yards house the left and right auxiliary buildings, each with five sections, wooden frames, and ceramic tiled roofs.
According to legend, Lac Long Quan married Au Co and gave birth to a sac containing a hundred eggs, which hatched into a hundred sons. To establish their domain, 50 sons followed their father to the sea, and 49 followed their mother to the mountains. The eldest was crowned King Hung, founding the Van Lang nation.
The royal residence was the Van Lang court, the king’s sons were called Quan Lang, his daughters My Nuong, civil officials Lac Hau, and military officials Lac Tuong. It’s believed there were 18 Hung Kings in succession. Lac Long Quan is revered as the ancestral patriarch of the Vietnamese nation and is deeply venerated and respected.
Today, visitors to the Hung Kings Historical Relic Complex can first visit the Lac Long Quan Ancestral Temple and the Au Co Ancestral Temple, and then offer incense to commemorate the Hung Kings. This meaningful integration of spiritual and cultural values within the same area profoundly reflects the Vietnamese tradition of “drinking water, remembering its source.
Thien Co Temple is a historic temple located on a small hill along the road in Hương Lan village, Trưng Vương commune, Việt Trì city. The ancient temple, nestled under two enormous banyan trees so large that five or six people couldn’t encircle them, is unmissable despite its modest size. Its solemn, ancient appearance and the couplets inside the temple draw attention from passersby:
“Hung Linh’s core bears a heroic legacy;
The South’s righteous spirit, divinely inspired.”
(This roughly means: The sacred temple worships those with strong, significant spirit from the Southern sky).
Thien Co Temple (Collected Photo)
Situated within the ancient territory of the Van Lang capital, Thien Co Temple majestically stands on a small hill in Huong Lan village, Trung Vuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province. This temple honors the couple, teacher Vu The Lang and his wife, the first educators of the nation, credited with teaching princesses Tien Dung and Ngoc Hoa, daughters of the 18th Hung King.
The uniqueness of the two ancient trees, estimated to be around a thousand years old, and the significance of the couplets, partly reveal in the family records and jade tablets preserved by the people of Hương Lan village…
According to legend, teacher Vu The Lang, originally from Mo Trach, Hai Duong, and his wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuc, from Dong Ngan, Kinh Bac, came to the Van Lang capital during the reign of the 18th Hung King to teach.
The couple passed away simultaneously on the 2nd of February in the year Quy Dau (228 BC). To this day, their tomb is carefully preserved and protected by the locals within the temple. After thousands of years, Thien Co Temple remains zealously safeguarded by the residents of Huong Lan village, Trung Vuong commune.
Tam Giang Temple – Đại Bi Pagoda is located at a strategic position at the confluence of rivers in Bach Hac ward, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho, tranquilly beside the swirling Lo River. Although the temple and pagoda were built in different periods and have undergone several renovations and restorations, today, Tam Giang Temple – Dai Bi Pagoda has become a unified and complete cultural site. It’s one of the nationally recognized scenic attractions frequently visited by tourists from inside and outside the province.
Dai Bi Pagoda in the Tam Giang Temple Complex (Collected Photo)
Among the ancient beauties of Phu Tho, enduring through centuries, Tam Giang Temple – Dai Bi Pagoda has been restored and refurbished several times, yet it retains its beautiful structure and architecture. Situated on a land area of over 1000m2, the temple enjoys a prime location (at the confluence of three rivers, also known as “tam giang”), with clear skies above and expansive scenic landscapes of mountains and rivers around.
Facing the river, looking northwest, one can see Nghia Linh Mountain – the sacred site where the Hung Kings, the founding fathers of Vietnam, are worshipped. With the architectural style of “front for gods, back for Buddha,” the temple comprises two main halls – the forecourt and the sanctum. The four-roofed building with curved eaves is intricately decorated with the four noble plants motifs: “dragon, unicorn, turtle, phoenix” and “pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo, apricot”.
These fine carvings contribute to the temple’s sacred and perfect beauty. The temple preserves many valuable historical and cultural artifacts, including a stone stele “Hậu thần bia ký” (dated 1818) and a bronze bell “thông thánh quán chung ký” (dated 1830). Particularly precious are the ancient inscriptions on the bell, “Thông Thánh Quán” (from 1321, under the reign of King Tran Minh Tong).
Located about 10 km from the Hung Temple, Hung Lo Ancient Village, despite historical upheavals, still preserves almost intact its ancient communal house architecture, a national historical site recognized since 1990.
Hung Lo Ancient Village (Collected Photo)
Legend has it that this place was where the Hung King, along with his princess and royal entourage, stopped to rest during a journey. The King, finding the land fertile and full of life, with a sacred aura emanating from the earth, declared it a land of spiritual significance.
Subsequently, the villagers built a temple in honor of the Hung King, as a gesture of gratitude to be passed down through generations. During the reign of King Le Hy Tong, the communal house began to be constructed, facing Nghia Linh Mountain.
The Hung Lo Communal House is a historical and cultural relic complex built on a vast land area, comprising several structures such as the Main Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Front Worship House, etc. All are constructed using precious woods like ironwood, rosewood, and ebony. The Main Hall is traditionally designed with three compartments and two lean-tos; each compartment houses an altar.
Hung Lo Communal House as a Venue for Cultural Activities (Collected Photo)
The Hung Lo Communal House hosts a variety of cultural activities. The front worship compartments are built in a five-compartment, two-lean-to structure. On either side of the house are a Buddhist shrine and an altar dedicated to the God of Agriculture.
Additionally, the relic complex includes the Van Chi area, dedicated to Confucius, symbolizing the scholarly tradition of the Hung Lo people; and the Yen Lao house, where the elderly gather for village affairs, now serving as a meeting place for seniors. The communal house courtyard is spaciously arranged with ornamental rockeries, banyan trees, and other foliage, creating a serene and welcoming atmosphere.
One notable aspect of the Hung Lo Communal House is its historical significance in the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival procession, a tradition that has persisted for many years. In 1918 (the year of Mậu Ngọ), the house was awarded a commemorative plaque honoring its role in the “First Hung Kings’ Festival”; this plaque is still prominently displayed in the house.
Each year during the festival, visitors to the Hung Lo Communal House can immerse themselves in the grandeur of the procession involving over 200 participants, creating a lively atmosphere across the region. The procession starts from the communal house and goes to the Hung Kings’ Temple. After returning from the temple, ceremonial rituals are conducted at the communal house, followed by a reception at the Yen Lao house.
Tien Cat Temple and Cat Tuong Pagoda are located on the banks of the Red River in the Anh Dung area, Tien Cat ward, Viet Tri city. Tiên Cát Temple is dedicated to the Mother Goddess Long Hong Dang Ngan – the Queen of Xich Quy country, wife of King Kinh Duong Vuong, and mother of King Lac Long Quan.
She stood by her husband in the early days of nation-building, in educating the people, and was honored by King Kinh Duong Vuong with the title “Vi Cung Chính Khổn,” granting her the Tien Cat palace. After her demise, this place was transformed into the Tien Cat mausoleum, which has been maintained and preserved by the people for thousands of years.
Besides the Tien Temple relic, there is also Cat Tuong Pagoda, built in 1999 and significantly renovated in 2016-2017. The pagoda covers a total area of 7,000 m², including the main hall, ancestral house, monks’ residence, vegetarian dining hall, guest house, etc.
The Tien Temple Festival takes place from the 9th to the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, following traditional rituals, with the ceremony including five rounds (one round of incense, one of wine, one of offerings, one of gifts, and one of reading and blessing prayers); The festive part is lively and bustling with games like human chess, tug of war, cockfighting, Xoan singing… lasting through the afternoon and sometimes overnight until the next day.
The Ear Cake has been a part of Phu Tho village’s tradition since ancient times and is alternatively known as Hon Cake. Resembling an ear in shape, it is made from sticky rice, filled with pork, and requires a special recipe and unique ingredients. Not everyone can make the authentic ‘Ear Cake’ that captures the distinctive flavor it is known for.
Ear Cake, a specialty of Phu Tho land (Collected Photo)
The Ear Cake is a familiar delicacy for the residents of Phu Tho town, especially the traditional Ear Cake that has been passed down for over five generations in the family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dinh, located on Bach Dang street, Au Co ward, Phu Tho town.
Sour meat is a traditional dish of the Muong people in Thanh Son, Phu Tho. In the past, locals developed the method of fermenting meat to preserve it for longer periods, and over time, sour meat became a popular dish and a specialty of this mountainous district.
Thanh Son Sour Meat, the kind placed in bamboo tubes (Collected Photo)
In modern times, with societal advancements, the people of Thanh Son have improved the method of making Sour Meat. They thinly slice the meat and season it more delicately before mixing it with rice powder to ferment, creating the now-famous specialty of Thanh Son Sour Meat.
Clusters of ripe, glossy, and plump palm fruits beckon. The locals gather these fruits, selecting round, full, and even ones for preparing ripe palm fruit dishes. The people of Phu Tho have a keen eye for choosing the best fruits, selecting only the most flavorful and aromatic ones, while visitors from other regions may find it difficult to discern the quality, type, and ripeness of the palm fruits.
Ripe Palm Fruit in Phu Tho (Collected Photo)
The selected palm fruits are shaken to remove the outer layer of skin, then washed and boiled until cooked. Boiling palm fruit may sound simple, but it requires skill to achieve the perfect taste. When the water is simmering gently, the palm fruits are added and cooked on low heat until the water just bubbles.
The oil from the fruit emerges, forming a froth on the water’s surface and clinging to the sides of the pot, indicating the palm fruit is cooked. If not boiled with the correct heat and water levels, the fruit can turn out bitter and hard, making it difficult to eat.
Chung cakes are made from sticky rice with a rich aroma and flavor, while nang cakes are elaborately prepared using sticky rice mixed with aromatic leaf extracts, producing a deep red, translucent, and sticky texture. Served with sugarcane syrup, they offer a refreshing and sweet taste.
The gai cakes are soft and chewy, flavored with gai leaves, and rich with lotus seed jam, roasted peanuts, and coconut; while the duc cakes are crispy, full-flavored with homemade soybean paste, and enhanced with the savory aroma of roasted peanuts. The giay cakes are smooth, tender, and delicately sweet.
Dong Village’s Chung Cake (Collected Photo)
To create delicious cakes, the people of Dong Village meticulously select high-quality rice to prepare the cakes, along with mung beans, aromatic leaves, sugarcane syrup, and roasted peanuts. The skilled hands of the diligent women of Dong Village meticulously craft these rich and flavorful cakes.
In the past, during economically challenging times, there were many “stories” about cassava cakes. Back in the days when our parents were young, the most luxurious version of cassava cake was the ‘spatula-filled’ variety (meaning the cassava cake was simply pressed down with a spatula, shaped, and then steamed, without any filling).
Phu Tho’s Cassava Cake (Collected Photo)
When I was young, cassava cakes started to come in more varieties, but the best ones only had fillings of green beans, scallions mixed with crispy pork fat. Just these simple ingredients were enough to enchant all of us kids with their fragrant aroma. As I grew older and most families’ economic situations improved, cassava cakes began to have fillings like meat, red beans, and more.
Soybean paste is a familiar condiment in the midland and lowland areas of Northern Vietnam. The rich, golden soybean paste, fragrant with the aroma of sunshine, soybeans, and sticky rice, has been a part of many generations’ upbringing.
Duc My Soybean Paste Craft Village (Collected Photo)
Duc My village, Cao Xa commune, Lam Thao district, Phu Tho province is renowned for its traditional soybean paste-making craft. The soybean paste here, after sufficient fermentation, acquires a slightly reddish-golden color, with a mild, not too strong taste, richly sweet but not salty.
Doan Hung is a district in Phu Tho province, located in the midland region of Northern Vietnam, at the confluence of the Lo and Chay rivers. When people mention Doan Hung, they often think of palm hills, tea hills, and especially a unique fruit: Doan Hung pomelo.
Doan Hung Pomelo, a Specialty of Phu Tho (Collected Photo)
Doan Hung pomelo is a long-standing crop with spherical, slightly flattened fruits weighing less than 1 kg. When ripe, they turn a bright yellow, with a slightly wrinkled peel, thin rind, dry segments, juicy pulp, and a creamy white color.
This pomelo is characterized by its fragrant, delicious, sweet, and refreshing taste. A unique aspect of this Phu Tho specialty is its long shelf life; it can be stored for several months up to half a year, and when cut open, it remains as sweet and tasty as ever!
Gia Thanh persimmon originates from Tien Cat, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province. It has been cultivated by local families in the gardens of Gia Thanh commune, Phu Ninh district for at least 50–70 years, with some trees nearly 70 years old. Currently, there are about 50 hectares of land in Phu Ninh district dedicated to growing Gia Thanh persimmon, providing significant income for the local population.
Gia Thanh Seedless Persimmon (Collected Photo)
Gia Thanh persimmons are notable for being seedless, with a high, diamond-shaped form rather than round, and slightly upturned tails. When ripe, they turn a light yellow and have a crunchy, sweet taste.
Rich in vitamins beneficial for health, Gia Thanh persimmons are an attractive gift for those living far from their hometown and for visitors to Phu Tho who wish to enjoy the specialties of the ancestral land.
In Phu Tho province, tea is extensively cultivated in various districts such as Thanh Son, Tan Son, Thanh Ba, Doan Hung, and Ha Hoa. However, one of the most prominent tea-growing areas with many beautiful tea hills and numerous enterprises and companies involved in tea production and processing is Thanh Son district, covering over 3,000 hectares.
Phu Tho Tea (Collected Photo)
Long Coc commune is renowned for its beautiful tea hills, featuring dome-shaped tea plantations; at the foothills are cooperatives that produce and process tea, alongside cool, clear lakes and roads winding through the tea hills.
Hung Temple (Collected Photo)
First Itinerary: Start by offering incense at the temple of National Ancestor Lac Long Quan → temple of Mother Ancestor Au Co → Temples of the Hung Kings “proceed from the gate to the temple → Lower Temple → Thien Quang Pagoda → Middle Temple → Upper Temple → down to the Ancient Well → down to the Well Temple” → other sightseeing spots → end of the journey.
Second Itinerary: Begin with offering incense at the temple of Mother Ancestor Au Co → Temples of the Hung Kings “proceed from the gate to the temple → Lower Temple → Thien Quang Pagoda → Middle Temple → Upper Temple → down to the Ancient Well → down to the Well Temple” → other sightseeing spots → temple of National Ancestor Lac Long Quan → end of the journey.
Third Itinerary: Start from the central festival gate → Temples of the Hung Kings “proceed from the gate to the temple → Lower Temple → Thien Quang Pagoda → Middle Temple → Upper Temple → down to the Ancient Well → down to the Well Temple” → temple of Mother Ancestor Au Co → other sightseeing spots → temple of National Ancestor Lac Long Quan → end of the journey.
See more: Ultimate Phu Tho Travel Guide: Top Tips and Attractions
See more: Xuan Son Exploration: Top Tips for an Unforgettable Journey in Phu Tho
See more: Capture the Beauty of Long Coc Tea Hills: A Photographer’s Paradise
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