This year's festival, which will last until April 26, opened with boat races, a palanquin procession and lion dances performed by artists from northern Viet Tri city. Games, elephant dances and folk songs of surrounding districts added fresh impetus to the event’s convivial atmosphere.

The annual festival is an occasion for Vietnamese people to commemorate the dynasty of the Hung Kings, who were considered original founders of Vietnam.

The kings’ temples have become a popular destination for pilgrims during the Lunar New Year Festival. Trade has been brisk in the stalls and shops surrounding the temples since the early hours of February 22.

A Hung Kings mausoleum lies within the Hung Temples complex as the country's heart and soul.

The Government has invested tens of millions of Vietnam dong in restoring the historic site.