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On April 25 in Kuala Lumpur, the Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia, in coordination with the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA), solemnly organized the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day 2026. Following the incense-offering ritual and the recitation of prayers, a cultural performance program rich in national identity created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it easier for attendees to engage with Vietnamese culture.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, Richie, a student studying Vietnamese at the University of Malaya, said this was the first time he had attended such a sacred event and regarded it as an extremely valuable experience. He noted that learning about language, culture, and history together serves as a bridge for people of the two countries to better understand one another. Richie and his classmates prepared the performance “Descendants of the Dragon and Fairy” as a way to show their appreciation for Vietnamese culture.

On the same day in Paris, France, the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, organized by the Vietnam Cultural Center in France in coordination with the Embassy of Vietnam and Vietnamese associations, also attracted a large number of overseas Vietnamese and international friends. Traditional rituals such as processions and incense offerings were solemnly reenacted, interspersed with performances of lion dance and Vovinam, enabling audiences to experience Vietnamese culture.

Constant Claude, who frequently participates in activities at the Vietnam Cultural Center in France, shared that he was impressed by the atmosphere of the event, from traditional costumes to dragon and lion dances, as well as the spirit of honoring Vietnam’s historical and cultural values. According to him, preserving and promoting traditions is a remarkable strength of the Vietnamese community, while in many European countries, such values are gradually fading.

Firmin Edouard Matoko, former Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for External Relations and Priority Africa.(Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Firmin Edouard Matoko, former Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for External Relations and Priority Africa, expressed his honor at attending a traditional ceremony of the Vietnamese people in France. “This is an important event that reflects the Vietnamese tradition of remembering one’s roots and also promotes unity within the community. It is even more meaningful when young people continue to cherish and preserve these traditions. Identity is essential for the younger generation in today’s modern life. Cultural identity is expressed through cultural activities and practices. The distinctive cultural features of Vietnam contribute to strengthening the diversity and richness of cultures worldwide, while also promoting the image of a dynamic and developing Vietnam. Preserving and promoting the nation’s fine cultural traditions is something truly commendable for communities living abroad. I am very pleased that the Cultural Center has become a destination for the Vietnamese community living in France,” he said.

Multicultural families also find a sense of closeness in these values. Marika Phan, a French national of Vietnamese origin, believes that no matter where one lives, it is important to know one’s roots. According to her, activities such as Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day help younger generations born and raised abroad better understand their cultural heritage, while strengthening the bonds within overseas Vietnamese communities.

Marika Phan’s family attends the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day organized by the Vietnam Cultural Center in France in Paris. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Kevin, Marika Phan’s husband, shared his joy in learning about the distinctive traditional cultural features of the Vietnamese people through his wife, noting that each new cultural discovery brings new understanding.

Fernando Coelho, a Portuguese attendee at a Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day event in Canada, said that although he did not fully understand all the speeches, he could clearly feel the solemn atmosphere and the strong sense of community. In his view, such experiences help nurture mutual understanding among people, grounded in shared cultural and spiritual values.

Through these firsthand experiences, international friends gain a deeper understanding of the significance of Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day and clearly perceive how Vietnamese people preserve their roots and maintain community cohesion. This makes the celebration a cultural touchpoint that is both approachable and meaningful for international audiences.

Honoring Ancestral Roots: Hung Kings’ Commemoration 2026 in Malaysia and France On April 25, in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, the Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia, in coordination with the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA), solemnly ...

Top Leader Offers Incense in Commemoration of Hung Kings in Phu Tho At the Kinh Thien Palace, a sacred site dedicated to the Hung Kings, General Secretary and President Lam, along with Party and State leaders and ...