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According to the National Tourism Administration, the country currently has 45,000 religious sites and relics, and approximately 13,000 festivals in terms of culture, making it fully qualified to become an ideal destination for spiritual tourism.
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL TOURISM?
Spiritual tourism is a form of tourism based on exploring culture, beliefs, and spirituality, with the aim of fulfilling people's spiritual needs.
Spiritual tourism not only offers tourists novel experiences of a new land, but also contains extremely sacred spiritual values and experiences for travelers.
THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL TOURISM
Spiritual tourism is a form of tourism that contributes to preserving, protecting, and promoting the traditional cultural values of the Vietnamese people, preventing them from fading away over time.
Furthermore, maintaining spiritual tourism tours, opening exhibition areas, and combining them with resort systems are also ways for localities to increase employment, create additional income for local people, and promote socio-economic development.
Developing spiritual tourism is becoming a new direction for many localities.
There are many reasons why people engage in spiritual travel. Some do it to seek enlightenment or a deeper connection with their religion. Others do it to find peace and tranquility or to learn about different cultures. Whatever the reason, spiritual travel can be a rewarding and life-changing experience.
FAMOUS SPIRITUAL TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN VIETNAM
Con Dao
Con Dao Island has always been one of the most attractive tourist destinations for both domestic and international visitors. Here, you will see the people of Con Dao revere and worship two special women whose destinies are closely intertwined with this land: the heroic martyr Vo Thi Sau and concubine Hoang Phi Yen. Both were strong-willed women with unwavering and intense patriotism.
The grave of martyr Võ Thị Sáu is located in Hàng Dương cemetery.
Visitors can visit the Vo Thi Sau temple in the center of the Con Dao tourist area and the Phi Yen temple (also known as An Son Temple) near Van Son Pagoda.
Yen Tu
Nestled amidst the majestic beauty of the mountains, the Yen Tu complex of historical sites and scenic spots possesses a serene and ancient charm, closely associated with the formation and development of the Truc Lam Zen sect in Vietnam. If you are seeking a destination for a spiritual journey, a trip to Yen Tu will be the perfect first choice.
Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecological tourism area.
The Tay Yen Tu spiritual and ecological tourism area was built to recreate the path of refuge in the Three Jewels taken by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, with three main sections: Lower Pagoda, Middle Pagoda, and Upper Pagoda. Here, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the famous Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect associated with the life of the Emperor.
The Yen Tu Pagoda Festival lasts until the end of the third lunar month, and visitors can fully explore the scenery, historical relics, and pagodas here on a one-day itinerary.
Tam Chuc
The Tam Chuc tourist area, spanning an estimated 500 hectares, is currently the largest spiritual tourism complex in Vietnam. The temple is located in Ha Nam province, specifically in Kim Bang district, Ba Sao town. It is approximately 70 km from Hanoi, about 4 km from Huong Pagoda, and about 30 km from Bai Dinh Pagoda. To date, this temple is considered the largest within the Tam Chuc tourist complex.
Tam Chuc Tourist Area - The most famous spiritual tourist destination in Ha Nam province.
In addition, the pagoda also features other structures such as a suspension bridge hundreds of meters long across Yen Tu Lake and is located near the Cuc Phuong National Park ecotourism area. Not only does it attract many domestic and international tourists, but it is also the venue for important Buddhist festivals and events, attracting thousands of Buddhists each year.
This place is an ideal tourist destination with many caves, lakes, and mountains that create a truly magnificent landscape. If you explore inside the caves, you will discover unique stalactite formations, which will surely give you unforgettable experiences.
Bai Dinh
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a famous spiritual tourist destination that attracts many visitors to Ninh Binh. This pagoda is not only a sacred place but also stands out with its architecture deeply rooted in Vietnamese Buddhism and holds many national records.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a complex of temples located 5 km from the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province. Bai Dinh Pagoda is considered the largest pagoda in Vietnam, holding many accolades such as having the largest bronze bell, the longest Arhat corridor, and the largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue. In 2010, Bai Dinh Pagoda had the honor of being the first place to host the Grand Ceremony welcoming the Buddha's relics from India to Vietnam.
Bai Dinh Pagoda - A spiritual gem in the heart of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
Climbing over 300 stone steps of Bai Dinh Mountain, passing through the triple-arched gate halfway up the mountain, you will reach a fork in the road where you will see the bright cave dedicated to Buddha and deities on the right, and the dark cave dedicated to the Mother Goddess and fairies on the left. The bright cave is about 15 meters wide and 2 meters high. Going about 25 meters deep into the cave, you will see the temple of the god Cao Son. The dark cave is equipped with lighting for navigation, and the winding dragon motifs adorn the steps. A well in the middle of the cave creates a very mystical atmosphere.
Thanh Hoa
When visiting Thanh Hoa, tourists have a series of sacred places to visit and offer incense, such as: Thanh Ha Pagoda, Mat Da Pagoda, Giang Pagoda, Sung Nghiem Dien Thanh Pagoda, Truc Lam Ham Rong Zen Monastery, Co Tien Temple, Ba Trieu Temple, Song Temple, etc.
Among them is the Co Chin Temple in Thanh Hoa (also known as the Co Chin Well Temple), which attracts visitors from all over the country because of its legendary stories and its perceived sacredness, where prayers are answered.
Co Chin Temple in Thanh Hoa – the most sacred temple in Thanh Hoa province.
Co Chin Temple, also known as the Nine Wells Temple in Thanh Hoa, is a place of worship dedicated to the ninth daughter of the Jade Emperor – namely, Cuu Thien Huyen Nu. The temple was built in the late 18th century and renovated in 1939.
In 1993, the temple was recognized as a National Historical Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information. It continued to be restored and renovated until 2004.
With a focus on exploiting outstanding values in natural landscapes and traditional culture, linked with regional planning, it can be seen that spiritual tourism has become a driving force attracting tourists, promoting other tourism services, creating diversity for Vietnamese tourism, and making a positive contribution to sustainable socio-economic development.
