Hung Lo Ancient Vilage – Hung Lo Temple

Đình Hùng Lô: Preserving Cultural Heritage in Việt Trì, Phú Thọ

Location: Hùng Lô Village, Việt Trì City, Phú Thọ Province

Nestled in the ancient village of Hùng Lô, with a history spanning over 300 years, Đình Hùng Lô has long been ingrained in the consciousness of the Vietnamese people, with its customs and practices closely tied to the worship of Hùng Vương.

Hùng Lô Village, located along the picturesque Lô River, is approximately 5km from the center of Việt Trì City. The historical and cultural complex of Đình Hùng Lô covers an expansive area of 5000m². According to tradition, during the reign of Lê Hy Tông (1967), the locals erected a temple to honor and worship the 18th generation of Hùng Vương, facing towards the Nghĩa Lĩnh mountain, the ancient capital of Hùng Vương.

The ancient Đình Hùng Lô comprises various historical and cultural structures, including the Grand Hall, Phương Đình (a side hall), Lầu Chuông (Bell Tower), Lầu Trống (Drum Tower), and a communal house. All these structures are constructed using rare and precious woods such as đinh, lim, sến, and táu. The Grand Hall follows traditional architectural principles with three sections and two wings, each section featuring an altar. The auxiliary structures are built with five sections and two wings. Adjacent to the temple are a Buddhist pagoda and an altar for Thần Nông, the God of Agriculture. The temple courtyard is adorned with a rock garden, silk-cotton trees, and banyan trees, creating a spacious and tranquil environment.

Đình Hùng Lô is also home to a well-preserved system of ceremonial objects, catering to the comprehensive needs of worship rituals. Of particular note is the rich collection of ancient couplets (43 in total) praising the scenic beauty of the homeland and the virtues of King Hùng. Most of these artifacts, including five palanquins adorned with gold and lacquer, date back over 300 years, representing the quintessence of festival ceremonies.

A noteworthy aspect is Đình Hùng Lô’s fame for its longstanding tradition of participating in the procession to the Hùng Temple, an event that has persisted for centuries. In the Mậu Ngọ year (1918), Đình Hùng Lô was honored with the title “First Prize Commemorating Hùng Vương”; this commemorative plaque is still prominently displayed in the temple. During the annual Hùng Temple Festival, visitors to Đình Hùng Lô can immerse themselves in the grand procession featuring over 200 costumed participants, creating a vibrant atmosphere that resonates throughout the region. The procession travels from the village temple to the Hùng Temple, and upon the return journey, local rituals are conducted, culminating in a worship ceremony at the Yến Lão house.

Exploring Đình Hùng Lô provides an opportunity to experience Xoan singing, an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Visitors are encouraged to witness this unique cultural phenomenon. Plan a visit to Đình Hùng Lô and indulge in the rich cultural tapestry of Việt Trì, Phú Thọ.