The Yen Stream near Tro Port was full of boats taking pilgrims to the pagoda in My Duc District.

Around 5,000 boats were arranged for pilgrims. The management of the Huong Son Site, of which the pagoda is a part, said the site is open for tourists from Saturday last week and around 150,000 have arrived since.

The Yen Stream near Tro Port was full of boats taking pilgrims to the pagoda in My Duc District.

Nguyen Ba Hien, head of the management, said: "Electronic tickets are the new feature at this year's festival. 10 gates have been installed for the electronic tickets. The system scanned the tickets' QR codes, and it worked smoothly on the first day. There were no sign of fake tickets."

At 9 a.m., the opening ceremony was held. The festival, Vietnam's biggest spring festival, would last until April 23.

In 2021 and 2022, due to impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no opening ceremony.

At the opening ceremony.

Tickets to visit the Huong Pagoda, including insurance, cost VND80,000 ($3.41) for adults, and VND40,000 for children. The boat ride to and from costs VND35,000-50,000.

On Friday the Huong Son Site received around 40,000 people, according to the festival organizers.

Most pilgrims to the Huong Son Site visit the Huong Tich cave.

The Huong Tich cave is packed with people. Police officers and militia are stationed to maintain order during the festival.

Nguyen Van Lam from Bac Ninh Province said: "Before the pandemic came my family would come for the opening day of the Huong Pagoda Festival every year. We come to sightsee and pray for luck."

The Huong Pagoda Festival attracts millions of visitors every year. The pagoda is situated around 60 km from downtown Hanoi.

Spring Press Festival held nationwide

Hundreds of publications of newspapers, magazines, newsletters and special editions of central and local press agencies to welcome Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival are being introduced to the public at Spring Press Festival, which kicked off at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang Province on January 16.

Calligraphy festival returns after two-year hiatus

The annual Spring Calligraphy Festival, which honours the art and local tradition of writing, will begin at Hanoi’s Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam on January 15, marking its return following two years of hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival 2023 - a boost for tourism development

(BGO) - After a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Tay (Western) Yen Tu Spring Festival will be held in the first days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2023. To ensure a solemn and safe festival, preparation work is being urgently implemented by relevant units and Son Dong district of Bac Giang province.

Lantern festival lights up Ninh Kieu night

The 5th “Tourism Festival - Ninh Kieu Lantern Night” kicked off in Ninh Kieu district, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, on January 5 after a one-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: VnExpress