Festivities started on April 19 and will last until April 21, featuring dragon dances and traditional music from northern, central and southern Vietnam.

Over 10,000 college students and youths from Thai, Tay, Mong and E De ethnic groups have been invited to join a three-day camp entitled "Young People Commemorate the kings".

Other cultural activities will include performances of songs, dances, traditional games and martial arts.

Suoi Tien has invested US$250,000 in upgrading its Kings Hung Temple and building a 2,000-person stage for the festival.

Legend has it that 18 generations of Kings Hung founded and ruled Vietnam as an independent sovereign nation for more than 2,000 years, from 2879 BC to 258 BC.