Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met and talked with people at the Hung Kings Temple

Today, April 26th (corresponding to the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month of the Year of the Horse), in the solemn atmosphere of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, right after the incense offering ceremony at the Thuong Temple and the flower and incense offering at the Hung Kings' Mausoleum, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met and had a cordial conversation with the local people.

With reverence to the Hung Kings and our ancestors,

Dear comrades, fellow countrymen and our compatriots abroad!

In the sacred atmosphere of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, I was deeply moved to meet my fellow countrymen right here at Hung Temple. Returning to Hung Temple on the 10th day of the third lunar month, I joined the people in turning our thoughts towards our origins. Whether in the lowlands or the highlands, whether living in the country or far from our homeland, we are all descendants of Lac Hong, "children of the Dragon and the Immortal," sharing a common ancestry, a common Vietnamese home.

Each person who comes here comes from a different region, with a different job and background. Some come from the plains, some from the mountains, some have traveled long distances from Central and Southern Vietnam, from islands, or even from abroad. But upon setting foot on this sacred land, we all share one common sentiment: returning to our roots, to our ancestors, to the place where the bonds of brotherhood begin.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all the people, wishing you good health, peace, unity, and happiness. I also send my best wishes to the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups in Phu Tho province.

Dear comrades and fellow citizens!

Our nation has many important holidays and memorable milestones. But the Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a very special day. This is a time for every Vietnamese person to remember the Hung Kings who founded the nation, to remember Ancestress Au Co, National Ancestor Lac Long Quan, and to remember the countless generations of ancestors who shed sweat, blood, and intellect to reclaim land, build villages, establish the nation, preserve and expand the territory, and cultivate our culture.
Vietnamese history has always been intertwined with moral principles. These principles are very simple: remember the source when you drink water, remember the person who planted the tree when you eat fruit, birds have nests, and people have ancestry. With these principles, the Hung Kings Commemoration Day has become a festival of gratitude, a festival of brotherhood.

The two words "compatriots" are extremely meaningful to us, and standing at Hung Temple, those two words become even more sacred. Compatriots are all from the same hundred-egg sac, born from the same sacred legend, sharing joys and sorrows in history, supporting each other through difficulties, and sharing a common responsibility before the destiny of the nation.

From the Hung Kings to the Ho Chi Minh era, the overarching theme throughout our nation's history has been patriotism and unity. During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh instructed cadres and soldiers at the Well Temple: "The Hung Kings built the nation; we, their descendants, must together preserve it." His words remain just as meaningful today. Building the nation is the achievement of our ancestors. Preserving and developing the nation is the responsibility of present and future generations. Preserving the nation means protecting independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; protecting peace and the peaceful lives of the people; preserving culture, morality, faith, and national self-respect. Preserving the nation also means making the country increasingly prosperous and the people increasingly well-off and happy. Developing the nation means enabling us to "stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the world."

Today, national defense is not just about guns and bullets on the battlefield, as previous generations did. It also means protecting forests, water sources, maintaining social peace, preserving family traditions, preserving the language and customs of each ethnic group, maintaining the integrity of the cadre, and preserving the people's trust in the Party, the State, and the future of the country.

When President Ho Chi Minh returned to Hung Temple in 1962, he gave a very relatable piece of advice: "Once you start, you must reach your destination." His words are even more relevant in the current context. He spoke about climbing mountains, but also about making revolution, being a good person, and working for the people and the nation. Once you set a goal, you must persevere. Once you have promised the people, you must fulfill it. Once you have accepted responsibility, you must see it through to the end. Once you have chosen the path of building a prosperous nation, you must not be discouraged by difficulties.

Today, standing at Hung Temple, I want to join with the leaders and the people in recalling Uncle Ho's words to remind ourselves. The path of development for our homeland and country still has many difficulties, challenges, and things that have not yet turned out as desired. But if we are united, if each person does their part well, if officials are dedicated to the people, and if the people trust and work together, we will certainly reach our goal.

To the people of Phu Tho province, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. For generations, the people of the ancestral land have considered the preservation of Hung Temple a sacred responsibility. From those working in monument management, the elderly, the artisans, the ceremonial teams, the processions, the Xoan singing groups, the teachers, the students, to every household living around the monument area, everyone has contributed their part. Some contributions are significant and widely known, while others are small and quietly done behind the scenes. All are truly worthy of respect.

I hope the Party Committee, the government, and the people of Phu Tho province will continue to care for Hung Temple so that it becomes increasingly solemn, green, clean, beautiful, safe, and friendly. Preserving historical relics must go hand in hand with protecting the landscape, the environment, and the cultural space. Tourism development must be linked to the legitimate rights of the people, to a civilized way of life, and to long-term sustainability. Local people are the hosts of the festival. The more attentive, thoughtful, honest, and hospitable the hosts are, the more visitors will remember, appreciate, and want to return.

To the young people, the students, I would like to add: you are coming to Hung Temple today not just to take a beautiful photo or participate in a fun event. Our ancestors have bequeathed to us a country. The younger generation must make that country stronger, more humane, and more prosperous. Study hard, train hard, always remember the Vietnamese moral principles, and understand the history and culture of our nation.

Dear fellow citizens, comrades!

Our country is now more prosperous and beautiful, but it still faces many difficulties and challenges. Our people still face many hardships, especially in mountainous areas, remote regions, and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. At this time, we need even more the spirit of Hung Vuong, the spirit of relying on each other, overcoming difficulties together, knowing how to base our lives on unity, the people as our foundation, culture as our strength, and self-reliance as our driving force.

The Party and the State have always identified the people as the center, the subject, and the strength of the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. All policies and guidelines must aim at improving the lives of the people. Speaking to the people today at Hung Temple, I see this responsibility even more clearly. National development must begin with very specific questions: Is the path to school more convenient for children? Are health centers better serving the people? Do workers have more stable jobs? Are villages and neighborhoods cleaner and more beautiful? Are the poor and vulnerable receiving more attention? Are officials closer to the people, respecting the people, understanding the people, and serving the people?

I propose that Party committees, government agencies, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations continue to listen to the people, engage in dialogue with the people, and address the people's needs, concerns, and expectations. Cadres working at the grassroots level must explain things clearly to the people, earn their trust, and work with them to overcome difficulties. For ethnic minority areas, mountainous regions, and areas still facing many difficulties, policies must reach every village, every household, and every individual; resources must be used appropriately and effectively; and results must be measured by real changes in the people's lives.

Dear fellow countrymen, comrades!

I was deeply moved to see, among the crowds of festival-goers, elderly people walking alongside their young children; families with three generations ascending the temple together; groups of young volunteers; officers and soldiers silently carrying out their duties; and people diligently serving tourists. Each of these images contributed to the beauty of the festival.

We are proud of our history, but pride must be accompanied by action. We love our country, but patriotism must be demonstrated through our daily deeds. We talk about solidarity, but we must know how to help each other in times of difficulty and prioritize the common good. We talk about culture, but we must know how to behave respectfully in the family, in society, on the streets, and at festivals. We talk about development, but we must work together, learn, innovate, maintain discipline, and protect the environment.

I hope that when you return from Hung Temple, you will carry with you a pure joy. A joy that comes from living in a country with ancestral roots, peace, and human kindness. We have a responsibility to live up to the merits of our ancestors, to do our jobs better, to take better care of our families, and to contribute more to our homeland and country.

During the festival days, I urge the forces on duty to continue upholding a high sense of responsibility, diligently guiding the people, ensuring security, order, traffic safety, fire prevention and control, healthcare, environmental sanitation, and other conditions to serve the people. Our service must be both serious and friendly; both in accordance with regulations and approachable, so that every citizen who comes to Hung Temple feels the thoughtfulness, safety, and warmth of the occasion.

I also hope that the press and media will continue to spread the beautiful images of the festival, the stories of kindness, the civilized actions, and the historical and cultural values ​​of Hung Temple and the ancestral land. Media coverage of the festival should help people understand correctly, act correctly, and feel proud in the right way.

Dear fellow citizens, comrades!

Before the sacred spirits of the Hung Kings, we respectfully commemorate the merits of our ancestors, remember the beloved President Ho Chi Minh, and remember the generations of forefathers who sacrificed for the independence, freedom, and unity of the Fatherland and the happiness of the people. We pledge to continue the tradition of nation-building and national defense, to preserve the great national unity, and to build a strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Vietnam.

From Hung Temple today, I would like to send my best wishes to all compatriots nationwide and overseas. I wish the elders good health and longevity. I wish all families peace and harmony. I wish the young people to be well-behaved, excel in their studies, and nurture beautiful dreams. I wish all compatriots attending the Hung Temple festival a safe, solemn, joyful, civilized, and meaningful journey.

Wishing the Hung Kings Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival in the Year of the Horse great success. May our homeland continue to develop, and its people enjoy increasing prosperity and happiness. May our beloved Vietnam forever endure, steadfastly advancing on the path of independence, freedom, unity, democracy, prosperity, and compassion.

Thank you very much!