Preserving and upholding traditions on occasion of Hung Kings’ death anniversary

Annual 10^th day of lunar March has became an important anniversary of the nation. In the evening of 28^th April, a solemn ceremony of Hung Kings’ death anniversary with for many activities commemorating Hung King’s efforts took place at Hung Vuong gifted high school (TDM City). Promoting traditions, teachers and pupils of the school have put more effort to teach and study well to be worthy to the name of Hung Vuong school.

A sacred festival

Every Vietnamese person knows about the Hung Kings’ death anniversary, when millions of people eagerly pilgrimage to Hung Temple to return to the origin of the nation. To Binh Duong people, the Hung Kings’ death anniversary is held annually at Hung Vuong gifted high school. In addition, some localities in the province have their own activities to commemorate the Hung Kings’ merits and educate young generations on the tradition of “Drinking water, remember its source".

This year, Hung Kings’ death anniversary coincided with the 40^th Southern Liberation, National Reunification anniversary. Provincial Department of Education – Training assigned Hung Vuong gifted high school to organize the ceremony of Hung Kings’ death anniversary. Principal Nguyen Van Son said, the ceremony had two parts: ritual and festivities. The main ritual part began from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm on 28^th April with ceremonies of flag saluting, gong – drum beating, light – cake – flower offering to Hung Kings’ altar, incense offering… Festivities included pupils’ encamping at school, folks games, rice cake cooking contest, creative fashion contest, flower arranging contest…

Hung Vuong gifted high school’s leaders offered incense in the 2014 Hung Kings’ death anniversary.

Pupil Sai Ngoc Linh of 11^th grade said: “Participating in the festival, I was so proud of being a child of Hung Kings. The festival had games that helped our friendship to be tightened. Rice-cake cooking contest, creative fashion were where we show our talents and skills”.

Teachers and pupils of the school has prepared carefully in terms of stage decorations, costumes, sound, lighting for the ceremony. This action was to express the principal of “Drinking water, remember its source" of the nation. Being the host of the ceremony of Hung Kings’ death anniversary was a pride of the school. This also educated pupils on personalities, morals, and encourage pupils to study well.

Following uncle Ho’s teaching

During his life, uncle Ho said: " Hung Kings built up the nation/ We have to defend it together”. Following uncle Ho’s teaching, future generations have attempted to study well to contribute to the building, protecting the country. In particular, teachers and students of Hung Vuong school that was named after Hung King have strived for studying and success. Past pupils have returned to the school every year on this occasion to remember the past.

Hung Vuong gifted high schoolhas achieved many outstanding results at local and national contests. In the 2013-2014 school year, 100% pupils had good behavior; 100% pupils graduated high school level; 100% pupils were admitted to universities; the school was ranked at 38^th position in the national top 200 high schools having high rate of pupils admitted to universities. In excellent pupils contests, the school also won 152 provincial prizes, 26 regional prizes, 41 national prizes, 54 prizes of Australian excellent chemistry pupils…

Apart from efforts of pupils, teaching staff of the school have also sought to teach and work well. Chemistry teacher Vo Thanh Tu said: "Promoting good tradition of the school, we, teachers, have made every effort to cultivate knowledge, teaching skills for best teaching. Additional, school management board has also created favorable conditions for teachers to attend training courses to improve level and skills…”

Pupil Nguyen Vu Khanh of the 11^th grade said: “I'm very proud to learn in Hung Vuong school. To be worthy, I have tried a lot in learning. We also have been aware of perfecting personality, morality, contributing to building the homeland”.

Reported by T.Ly – Translated by Ngoc Huynh