Visitors to the Huong(Perfume) Pagoda are carried down the Yen stream by boats. (Photo: VNA) Some of our recommendations might be the perfect place for you andyour loved ones to spend the spring.
Perfume Pagoda
Huong (Perfume) Pagoda is located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district,about 60km southwest of Hanoi.
It is one of the largest and most unique religious sites in the capital with acomplex of pagodas, shrines and communal houses scattered on Huong Son (Perfumemountain). The Huong Tich (Traces of perfume) pagoda, which can be found insidethe Huong Tich grotto, is considered to be the holiest and most significantlocation in the entire complex.
Many people visit the pagoda every year to take part in its festival, thelargest in the country, which takes place from January to the end of March ofthe lunar calendar.
It is believed that the Bodhisattva Kwan Yin attained enlightenment at theHuong Pagoda, hence various ceremonies and artistic events are staged thereduring the three-month festival.
Thousands of pilgrims and visitors, including many from abroad, make thejourney up the Huong Son mountain range to experience the peace that has movedpoets for decades and even one of the Trịnh warlords to pen odes to the area'sheavenly beauty.
Dong Pagoda
Dong (Bronze) Pagoda can be found on top of the 1,068-meter-high YenTu mountain in Uong Bi district of Quang Ninh province.
The pagoda was built in the 17th century, with the initial architectureconsisting of only a modest bronze cast.
Previously, the only way to get to Đồng Pagoda was to traverse thousands ofstone stairs and mountain roads for nearly 6 kilometres to reach the peak of YenTu.
Nowadays, the cable car has been used by the Yen Tu Scenic Area ManagementBoard to assist visitors from all over the world to arrive at Dong Pagodawithout much difficulty. Guests may get a bird's eye view of Yen Tu mountainfrom the cable car and then set out on foot to reach the summit of the sacredpeak.
The Lunar New Year is the finest time to visit this location. This is the timefor highly spectacular events in Yen Tu, drawing thousands of travellers fromall across the country to visit and pray.
Tam Chuc Pagoda
Tam Chuc is Vietnam’s biggest pagoda complex, located in Kim Bang district,Ha Nam province, about 60 kilometres from Hanoi.
This is one of the spiritual spring tourism spots that draw alarge number of visitors who come to pray for good fortune.
With its front side facing Luc Ngan lake and its back resting against That TinhMountain, Tam Chuc Pagoda occupies a magnificent position. Limestone peaks riseup everywhere around the pagoda, adding to the area's already impressivebeauty.
Tam Chuc Pagoda's spiritual tourism complex is split into four sections: thereception centre, the monastery proper, the experience hub, and the naturalreserve.
Like many other sacred sites, the pagoda is at its most stunning in the mildermonths of autumn and spring.
According to the Tam Chuc Pagoda Management Board, on January 25 or the fourthday of the Lunar New Year, around 10,000 visitors and Buddhists came to visitand worship at the pagoda./.
VNA
