They are prestigious elders selected from ancient villages at the foot of Hung mountain. They undergo training and strict examinations to qualify for their vital role as the guardians of the Hung Kings Temple Special National Historical Relic and the practice of worshipping the Hung Kings, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Every morning at 6 a.m., Nguyen Trong Phuoc, the caretaker of Ha (Lower) Temple, one of the four oldest temples in the Hung Kings Temple complex, begins his daily duties: cleaning the altar, burning incense, and ringing the bell to welcome visitors.

Vu Trong Hung is Phuoc’s predecessor in performing the rituals at the Hung Kings temple. Hung said, "During this festival, we are present at the temple from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Each morning, we burn incense, arrange the altar, and thoroughly clean the temple both inside and outside."

Like other caretakers at the Trung (Middle), Thuong (Upper), and Gieng Temples, Phuoc and Hung are selected by the villagers living at the foot of Hung Linh mountain to be in charge of worshipping the ancestors and taking care of the temples.

The selection of the caretakers for the Hung Kings Temple complex takes place every year. Those selected receive special training on rituals of worshiping Hung Kings and undergo a strict test.

Pham Thi Hoang Oanh, deputy director of the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, noted, "The selection of caretakers has been in place for over 20 years. After a training course organized by the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, 35 to 40 candidates will take a test. The ones with highest scores are selected to serve as caretakers of temples."

Meanwhile, Hung shared, "We are trained and receive training manuals three months in advance. The ones that meet the strict standards and achieve the highest scores are entrusted with the duty."

Unlike other temples where caretakers may serve for many years, the Hung Kings Temple assigns a caretaker for a one-year term and can only be held once in a lifetime. This makes the honour even more profound for the chosen.

"Upholding the tradition of our ancestors, I am deeply honored to be selected as a caretaker. This is a great responsibility for me to be on behalf of my village and family, to preserve and guide visitors to properly worship the Hung Kings," shared Phuoc.

Hung explained, "Each year, only one person in our village is chosen to serve as a caretaker at Ha (Lower) temple. It is an honor for the individual, their family, and their clan. We guide visitors in the proper practice and preserving national heritages."

The caretakers of the Hung Kings Temple are more than mere custodians, they are the guardians of fine values of the Hung Kings worshiping rituals, tradition and history. Their deep knowledge of the temple’s history and rituals provides invaluable guidance to pilgrims and visitors.

Tran Thi Thin, a pilgrim from Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province, visits Hung Kings temple every year on the Hung King’s death anniversary. She said: "The caretakers here are incredibly dedicated, assisting and guiding us to practice the rituals. Their support makes our experience truly fulfilling."

The caretakers not only lead worship rituals but also act as ambassadors, providing visitors with knowledge about the rich history and cultural significance of the Hung Kings Temple.

Oanh added, "The caretakers guide visitors in the proper practice of ancestral worshipping. We begin training the caretakers in spring so that during the festival, they can give visitors proper assistance."

The worship of the Hung Kings holds a profound place in Vietnam's spiritual life, embodying national pride and reverence for ancestral heritage. Through their dedicated service, the caretakers at the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site help preserve and promote this invaluable cultural tradition, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Night tour at Hung Kings Temple offers sacred experience

Visitors to the Hung Kings Temple in the northern midland province of Phu Tho now have the opportunity to experience its mystical beauty at night through a special tour held as part of the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day.