Altar dedicated to Hùng Kings in Trẹo Village, Hùng Sơn Town, Lâm Thao District, 2011; Photo by Từ Thị Loan; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

Ritual of seizing sacred paddy for seeds and for good luck, Trẹo Village, Hùng Sơn Town, Lâm Thao District, 2011. Photo by Hoàng Sơn; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

Millions of people go on pilgrimage to Hùng temples on the Ancestral Anniversary, 2008. Photo by Nguyễn Việt Thắng; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

People of Trẹo Village (Hùng Sơn Town, Lâm Thao District) make glutinous rice cakes to invite Hùng Kings to join them for the Lunar New Year, 2011. Photo by Từ Thị Loan; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

The burning of petition sheets is to convey the wishes of villagers to Hùng Kings, ending the ritual at Cả Communal Hall, Vi and Trẹo Villages, Hùng Sơn Town, Lâm Thao District, 2011. Photo by Nguyễn Thị Hồng Nhung; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

People make offerings to Hùng Kings at the Ritual of Receiving the Kings for Celebration of Spring in Cả Communal Hall, Tiên Kiên Commune, Lâm Thao District, 2011. Photo by Bùi Quang Thanh; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

People of Vi Village (Hùng Sơn Town, Lâm Thao District) bear a palanquin containing the Hùng Kings’ tablet, inviting the Kings to join them for the Lunar New Year, 2011. Photo by Hoàng Sơn; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

Hùng Kings mausoleum on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, Hy Cương Commune, Việt Trì City, 2011. Photo by Hoàng Sơn; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

People of Vi Village (Hùng Sơn Town, Lâm Thao District) make square cakes to invite Hung Kings to join them for the Lunar New Year, 2011. Photo by Hoàng Sơn; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.

The words “The First Ancestor of Vietnam” can be read on the reception gate to Thượng temple on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, Hy Cương Commune, Việt Trì City, 2011. Photo by Hoàng Sơn; © 2011 Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies.