A 17th-Generation Descendant of King Le Kinh Tong Brings the Hung Kings’ Statue to Be Enshrined Abroad

With only a few days left until the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, millions of Vietnamese at home and abroad are turning toward their national roots. For overseas Vietnamese communities, this is not only an occasion to commemorate the merits of the Hung Kings, but also a time when cultural values associated with the origins of the Lac Hong descendants are strongly revived.

In the journey of preserving Vietnamese identity abroad, the worship of the Hung Kings is being persistently maintained, spread, and renewed by many individuals and organizations in a contemporary context.

One of the individuals who has long been associated with this work is Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Yen, founder of the Vietnam Ancestral Global Day.

Over many years, she and her colleagues have persistently organized commemorative ceremonies in many countries, while also advocating for the Hung Kings’ symbolic presence to have a dignified place in the spiritual life of overseas Vietnamese.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Yen (second from the right) and overseas Vietnamese in Mongolia, Slovakia, Germany, and Vietnam offer incense in commemoration of the Hung Kings’ ancestors in (Photo: Provided by the character).

Efforts to Bring Vietnamese Spiritual Symbols Across Cultural Barriers

For Dr. Yen, origins have never been merely a historical fact but a living presence in spiritual life, influencing all thoughts and choices.

As a 17th-generation descendant of King Le Kinh Tong and Consort Nguyen Ngoc Nuong, she has always urged herself to live and act in ways worthy of what has been passed down by her ancestors.

The Vietnam Ancestral Global Day is her dedication to engaging in activities connected to the community and national culture. However, bringing a Vietnamese cultural and spiritual symbol to be present abroad has not been an easy journey.

“In some countries with strict religious environments, the proposal to enshrine the Hung Kings’ sacred statue initially encountered hesitation. They were concerned that this might be a form of religious propagation, or even considered it cultural intrusion,” the doctor said.

Facing such concerns, the project team chose to engage through sincere dialogue.

“We explained that the Vietnamese worship of the Hung Kings is not a missionary religion, but an expression of filial piety and gratitude toward those who founded the nation. It is also a value of humanity, not belonging exclusively to any one country,” she recalled.

When the nature of the issue became clear, suspicion was gradually replaced by respect from the host countries.

Connecting Peace Through Shared Human Heritage Values

After persistent efforts to overcome cultural barriers, the image of local leaders and people respectfully paying tribute before the Hung Kings’ sacred statue has left special emotions for those implementing the project.

The Hung Kings’ Commemoration Ceremony in Prague, Czech Republic, was solemnly held on April 22, 2018 (Photo: Provided by the character).

Dr. Yen believes that this is also when all national boundaries seem to fade, as people meet in gratitude toward their ancestors. From a commemorative activity, the project has gradually expanded into a space for cultural exchange and connection.

“We once expressed the hope that in the future, Vietnamese communities could also join international friends in commemorating the founding kings of their own countries. At first, that proposal surprised many people. But when they understood it as a way of conduct rooted in respect and a desire for connection, they were truly moved,” she said proudly.

The year 2026 marks the 11th milestone of the journey to spread ancestral values. This year’s commemoration continues to be organized with a structure including ceremonial rituals, festive activities, and a scientific seminar.

According to the organizing committee, the seminar focuses on peace, an aspiration passed down from previous generations.

A notable highlight is that at the Russian Federation location, it is expected that a Russian professor will perform the ceremonial reading in Vietnamese. This demonstrates that when a cultural value is sufficiently humanistic, it can transcend language barriers and touch people’s hearts.

In the context of a world with many fluctuations, the Vietnam Ancestral Global Day not only reminds people of where to return, but also affirms that traditional values can open pathways to understanding and friendship.

Dr. Yen hopes to continue receiving support from relevant authorities to further spread Vietnamese virtues and culture to the world.