Embarking on a journey at the start of the Lunar New Year is a unique and meaningful tradition for the Vietnamese. It goes beyond mere sightseeing, as these trips hold deep spiritual significance, symbolizing hopes for peace, wellness, and abundance in the year ahead.
| The Lady Buddha Pagoda, nestled within the Black Virgin Mountain, is a revered holy site across Southern Vietnam. Photo: Sun Group |
Vietnam’s ancient temples and pagodas, each with their own historical and architectural allure, hold a special charm for travelers seeking a profound spiritual experience.
For those seeking an ideal spring getaway, here are some recommended destinations: Huong Pagoda in Hanoi, Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province, Yen Tu Mountain in the coastal region of Quang Ninh, Linh Ung Pagoda in the central city of Danang, and Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain in Tay Ninh Province.
Huong Pagoda
Nestled in the outskirts of Hanoi, in My Duc district, approximately 60 kilometers from the city center, the Huong Pagoda, also known as the Perfume Pagoda, offers a magical escape.
Spanning over 4,900 hectares, the Huong Pagoda complex is a breathtaking mosaic of pagodas, temples, and caves adorned with exquisite stalactites and stalagmites dedicated to Buddhist worship and indigenous agricultural deities.
| The ethereal beauty of Huong Pagoda in spring. Photo: Lai Tan/ The Hanoi Times |
A pilgrimage to the Huong Pagoda during the Lunar New Year is a transformative journey into the heart of Buddhism. Visitors are treated to a serene boat ride along the Canary or Yen River, surrounded by mist-clad mountains and verdant forests, setting a peaceful tone for the trip. From the boat ride, pilgrims embark on a trek through breathtaking scenery, commencing at Huong Tich Cave, deemed “Buddha’s Paradise on Earth.” Here, devotees offer prayers for health, abundance, and blessings for the coming year.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
| A glimpse of the sacred bronze Buddha statue within the majestic Bai Dinh Pagoda. Photo courtesy of Bai Dinh Pagoda |
The Bai Dinh Pagoda, located in Ninh Binh Province, is Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex, and its grandeur leaves visitors in awe. With its back leaning against the majestic Bai Dinh Mountain, rising 200 meters high, the pagoda spans an impressive 80 hectares within the “Bai Dinh Pagoda Sacred Culture” area of the Trang An Tourism Zone.
Pilgrims can marvel at the intricate golden Buddha statues, wander through the peaceful Arhat Corridor lined with unique statues, and stand in awe before the towering pagoda that dominates the landscape.
The optimal time to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda is during the annual Bai Dinh Festival, which occurs from February 3 to May 1 this year.
Yen Tu Mountain
| Dong (Bronze) Pagoda atop Yen Tu Mountain, perched at an altitude of 1,068 meters. Photo: Booking.com |
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Yen Tu Mountain, located about 100 kilometers from the bustling city of Hanoi in Quang Ninh Province, is a place of profound joy and tranquility. For centuries, it has been a revered Buddhist pilgrimage site and is known as the birthplace of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.
Visitors can embark on a spiritual trek to the Dong (Bronze) Pagoda, situated at an altitude of 1,068 meters. Many believe that this pilgrimage, undertaken during Tet, bestows wisdom and clarity for the coming year. The annual Yen Tu Festival, a significant cultural and religious event, draws thousands of devotees annually. This year, the Yen Tu Spring Festival continues through April.
Linh Ung Pagoda
| Linh Ung Pagoda in Danang City, offering both spiritual solace and breathtaking panoramic views. Photo: Google Art & Culture |
Perched atop the Son Tra Peninsula in Danang, overlooking the vast East Sea, Linh Ung Pagoda provides spiritual refuge and awe-inspiring panoramic views. This coastal sanctuary is home to Vietnam’s tallest Lady Buddha statue, a majestic figure standing tall at 67 meters.
At the start of each year, devotees flock to Linh Ung Pagoda to seek protection, peace, and prosperity for the New Year while enjoying the cool sea breeze and stunning scenery. The peaceful setting and gentle lapping of the waves create an ideal atmosphere for reflection and prayer. The Lady Buddha Worship Festival, a special event for devotees, will take place from March 16 to 18 this year, corresponding to the 17th to 19th days of the second lunar month.
Ba Den Mountain
| The compassionate gaze of the Lady Buddha atop Ba Den Mountain, overlooking the fertile plains of Tay Ninh. Photo: Sun Group |
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Rising to an elevation of 986 meters above sea level, Nui Ba Den, or Black Virgin Mountain, in Tay Ninh Province, is considered the rooftop of Southern Vietnam. Shrouded in white clouds year-round, this mountain is a spiritual haven for the people of Tay Ninh and Buddhists across the region during the Tet holiday and spring season. Thousands of pilgrims ascend the mountain to participate in rituals honoring the goddess Linh Son Thanh Mau.
The pinnacle of this tourist attraction is the Black Virgin Statue. Standing at a total height of 72 meters and cast using over 170 tons of bronze, it has earned recognition from the World Guinness Records as the tallest copper structure on a mountain peak in Asia and Vietnam.
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