Pilgrims flock to the Hương Pagoda Festival. VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — The Hương Pagoda Festival, the longest of its kind in Việt Nam, officially began in Hương Sơn Commune in Hà Nội’s outlying district of Mỹ Đức on February 15 (the 6th day of the first lunar month), welcoming 30,000 visitors.

According to Nguyễn Bá Hiển, head of the management board of the Hương Sơn landscape complex, also known as Hương Pagoda and featuring a series of Buddhist pagodas, caves and temples, the annual event opened for festivalgoers on February 11. The number of people coming to worship and visit the site has so far amounted to 130,000.  

A view of the opening ceremony of the Hương Pagoda Festival.

This year’s festival sees the use of e-tickets instead of paper ones to curb congestion and overcrowding, with up to 4,500 boats and 110 electrical cars available to offer transport services.

Going to the Hương Pagoda is a spiritual journey to the Buddhist Land – where the Goddess of Mercy leads a religious life. Visitors have sightseeing trips to pagodas, temples and caves which are the main attractions at the Hương Pagoda festival, and join ceremonies to ask for favours from Lord Buddha.

Built in the late 17th century, the complex was listed among special national relic sites in December 2017. — VNS

The number of people coming to worship and visit the site has amounted to 130,000 since February 11.