Just type the keyword "spiritual tourism" on Google, you will immediately get results with 104 million searches. This proves that spiritual tourism attracts a large public, at the same time highlighting the important role of this form of tourism in the spiritual life of each person.
Asking for calligraphy from a scholar at the beginning of the year
When pilgrimage tourism is on the rise
Spiritual tourism is a form of tourism based on culture, beliefs, and spirituality that meets people's spiritual life. Spiritual tourism not only brings tourists new experiences about a new land, but also contains extremely sacred values and spiritual experiences for travelers. In other words, spiritual pilgrimage tours are a bridge for each person to find peace, faith, and serenity deep in the soul.
With more than 15 years of experience in the tourism industry, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tu, domestic market manager of Vivu Journeys, said: “According to statistics in early 2023, Vivu Journeys has welcomed more than 100 groups, each group has an average of 30 - 40 guests. The need for pilgrimages, visiting temples and places of origin is very popular with tourists, the most booked tour locations include: Huong Pagoda, Yen Tu Pagoda, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Tam Chuc Pagoda, Trang An, Ba Den Mountain, Sam Mountain... International destinations with typical spiritual interweaving forms are Thailand, China, Japan, India... Currently, the trend of pilgrimage tourism combined with relaxation at spiritual tourist destinations is also becoming more and more popular".
Spiritual tourism not only brings tourists new experiences about a new land, but also contains extremely sacred spiritual values and experiences for travelers.
Tourists in Vietnam often gather at spiritual tourist attractions such as temples, pagodas, mausoleums, places of worship, memorials and sacred lands associated with unique landscapes and local traditional culture. Here, they participate in activities such as: sightseeing, learning about historical culture, praying, worshiping, showing gratitude, showing filial piety, meditating, participating in festivals... These activities bring spiritual experiences, help balance and strengthen faith, and at the same time improve the quality of life.
Spiritual tourism trends in Vietnam
Spiritual tourism is not only about admiring unique architecture and enjoying the scenery, but also brings sacred spiritual values and experiences to tourists. In Vietnam, spiritual tourism develops based on the following characteristics: Spiritual tourism is associated with religion and faith, in which Buddhism has the largest number (accounting for 90%) coexisting with other religions; Spiritual tourism with worship and gratitude to national heroes; Spiritual tourism is associated with ancestor worship; Spiritual tourism is associated with spiritual sports activities such as meditation and yoga towards the balance of body and mind in spiritual life.
Spiritual tourism is a form of tourism based on culture, beliefs, and spirituality that meets people's spiritual life.
Mr. Tran Cao Sang, front desk manager at Victoria Chau Doc, shared more about the number of spiritual tourists when coming to Chau Doc, An Giang: “If in the past, tourists mainly went during the festival season, today the trend of going during the week to avoid crowds has increased. Typically in Chau Doc, in the past, 90% of tourists would go on weekends. Currently, tourists go every day of the week, but the busiest is still January. The number of tourists is higher than before the pandemic for many reasons. The pandemic has increased spiritual beliefs in the community and many people are afraid to travel far due to the impact of post-pandemic income, so they often choose spiritual destinations nearby and domestically. Although the number of tourists has increased, the length of stay is shorter than before.”
Not only is it about admiring unique architecture and enjoying the scenery, spiritual tourism also brings sacred spiritual values and experiences to visitors.
The number of tourists participating in spiritual tourism is increasing, accounting for a large proportion of the tourist structure, especially domestic tourists. The increase in the number of tourists visiting spiritual sites shows that spiritual tourism is increasingly holding an important position in social life.
Nowadays, the implementation of spiritual tours and pilgrimage tours has become popular in Vietnam. However, an easily recognizable characteristic of spiritual tourism in Vietnam is its clear seasonality. For the most part, spiritual tourism develops strongly at the beginning of the year due to the tradition of returning to one's roots and festival activities that often take place at the beginning of the year, attracting the attention of many tourists. The beginning of the year is also an occasion for people to pray for a peaceful and prosperous new year. This is also the time when tourists are bold enough to spend on tourism, typically spiritual tourism. In addition, another ideal time to participate in pilgrimage tourism is the Lunar New Year, January.
For the most part, spiritual tourism thrives at the beginning of the year due to the tradition of returning to one's roots and festival activities that often take place at the beginning of the year, thus attracting the attention of many tourists.
Vietnam has great potential and strengths to develop spiritual tourism, reflected in the depth of culture associated with traditions, religions, and beliefs. The diversity and richness of religious sites and the large number of folk festivals held year-round across the country. The demand for spiritual tourism is increasingly diverse, not only limited to the framework associated with religion but also increasingly expanding to activities, spiritual activities, and traditional beliefs of the nation. Spiritual tourism activities are increasingly profound and have become an indispensable need in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
Discovering the beauty of spiritual tourist destinations today has become an indispensable need for the consciousness of every Vietnamese person.
In recent years, the trend of spiritual tourism associated with religion, especially Buddhism, has been growing strongly. Many temples and Buddha statues have been built, bringing meaning to both spiritual and material life for people.
Spiritual tourism exploits spiritual cultural elements during tourism activities. Specifically, based on tangible and intangible cultural values associated with the history of the formation of values of faith, religion, belief and other unique spiritual values. Spiritual tourism brings sacred experiences and spiritual emotions to people when traveling, helping tourists feel peaceful in their souls.
In recent years, the trend of spiritual tourism is associated with religion.
Notes for spiritual travel and pilgrimage:
- When visiting spiritual tourist sites, visitors should not take photos or videos indiscriminately. In some places, taking photos is taboo and not allowed.
- Clothing should be discreet and polite, avoid wearing offensive clothes when going to sacred places.
- When you go to these destinations, speak loudly and use proper forms of address.
- No smoking or carrying weapons in these places.
