Contributing Author: Mai, proud mom of two beautiful daughters and wife to her incredibly supportive and caring husband, Anh.
Ever since I was little, my mother would take me to the Hung Temple Festival. It’s an annual event to remember the Hung kings that founded our beautiful nation.
Going there with my mom helped me bond with her, understand her struggles better, and helped us connect. She was my best friend and close confidant.
In the Vietnamese culture, it’s imperative to remember your ancestors and all that they have done for you. I wanted my daughters to have the same relationship with me, as I did with my mom.
I wanted them to know that no matter what, they can always rely and depend on me, and that a mother is someone who doesn’t just give birth to you, she’s your best friend as well.
When we got to the festival, everyone was dressed in vibrant colors, and had just as colorful flags. You should note that the festival starts at Hanoi and then festivities continue all the way to the Hung temple.
The roads and streets are decorated with colorful flags and everyone lights up a hundred lights, which are released into the sky. A large balloon is used so that more people know about the start of the event.
My youngest daughter, Stella, was more into the feast that followed, since she is a huge fan of fruit cakes. My eldest one was more into the large number of elephants, fireworks, and people dancing on the streets.
My hubby and I danced with each one of them, and before we knew it, it was almost nightfall! We all had fun meeting new people, indulging in traditional Vietnamese feast (which reminded me of my mother), and dancing and singing, while fireworks exploded into the sky.
All in all, it was fun, and if you’re planning a visit to Vietnam, don’t miss out on all the opportunities to connect with the remarkable locals. For me, this event helped me get closer to my daughters and celebrate the simple pleasures of life with them. The event is about appreciating family and ancestors, and it made my family appreciate ours!
The next day, I made my daughters write about their eventful day and what they learned from everything they witnessed. It helped us strengthen our love and bond, and it also helped me get a better understanding of them!
