This countrywide holiday celebrates the lives of the ancient Vietnamese rulers during the Hong Bang period. Known as the Hùng Vương (brave kings) these fearless leaders are the subjects of Vietnamese folktales. Every year, the Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival (Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương) is a display of Vietnamese culture and national pride. A huge crowd of several million people make the pilgrimage to the temple during the festival, with offerings of prayers and incense for their ancestors. Lavish feasts, processions, an elephant march, and performances of Vietnamese music and songs are all part of the festivities.