The most attractive pilgrimage destinations in Northern Vietnam

Tay Ho Palace (Hanoi)

Tay Ho Temple, located in Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, is about 4km west of the capital's center. It is dedicated to Lady Lieu Hanh and is considered one of the most sacred places in Hanoi's temple system. Not only during the Lunar New Year, but also on the 15th and 1st days of the lunar month, Tay Ho Temple is packed with visitors seeking fortune. And at the end of the year, the temple becomes a bustling festival with pilgrims from all over the country coming to pay their respects.

Besides offering incense and giving thanks, visitors to Tay Ho Temple can also combine their visit with sightseeing and enjoying the picturesque scenery of the vast landscape.

Huong Pagoda (Hanoi)

Huong Pagoda is the colloquial name; in reality, Huong Pagoda or Huong Son is an entire cultural and religious complex in Vietnam, comprising dozens of Buddhist temples, several shrines dedicated to deities, and communal houses dedicated to agricultural beliefs. The center of Huong Pagoda is located in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi, on the right bank of the Day River.

The Huong Pagoda Festival takes place on the 6th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the third lunar month. The day before the festival begins, all the temples, pagodas, and shrines are filled with the fragrant smoke of incense, creating a festive atmosphere throughout Huong Son commune. During this time, millions of pilgrims from all over the country flock to participate in the festival.

According to legend, this is where Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara manifested and practiced asceticism. Besides that, Huong Pagoda, or Huong Son, is a famous pilgrimage site also known for its picturesque scenery. Visitors will have the opportunity to float on boats along the romantic Yen stream, admiring the majestic mountains with the vibrant colors of spring filling every tree and blade of grass.

Bai Dinh (Ninh Binh)

Bai Dinh Pagoda is a large pagoda complex holding many records in Vietnam: it has the largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia, the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, and the largest bronze Maitreya statue in Southeast Asia… The pagoda is located at the western gateway of the Hoa Lu ancient capital relic site, along National Highway 38B, in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, 15 km from Ninh Binh city and 95 km from Hanoi. Bai Dinh Pagoda is situated north of the Trang An World Heritage site.

Bai Dinh Pagoda is a favorite place for many people to pray for good fortune at the beginning of the year. When visiting this pagoda to pray for good luck, many business people often combine it with a trip to the Trang An scenic area.

Ba Chua Kho Temple (Bac Ninh)

The Temple of Lady of the Warehouse, located halfway up Kho Mountain in Co Me area, Vu Ninh commune, Bac Ninh city, commemorates a Vietnamese woman who helped the royal court guard the granary at Kho Mountain (Bac Ninh province) and died during the resistance against the Song Dynasty on the 12th day of the first lunar month of the year Dinh Ty (1077). This is not only a historical site but also a place where people from all over the country make pilgrimages every year to pray for blessings and to express their reverence.

According to folklore, people who visit the Ba Chua Kho Temple at the beginning of the year do so to borrow money for business ventures in the new year, hoping for a year of great financial success and prosperous business.

Tran Temple (Nam Dinh)

Tran Temple is a complex of temples located on Tran Thua Street, Loc Vuong Ward, Nam Dinh City (next to National Highway 10), where the kings of the Tran dynasty and the officials who contributed to their service were worshipped. Tran Temple was built in 1695 on the site of the old Tran dynasty's royal temple, which had been destroyed by the Ming army in the 15th century.

Every year on the 14th day of the first lunar month, Nam Dinh city holds the Tran Temple seal-opening ceremony. The Tran Temple is always crowded with visitors seeking the seal, as many believe that possessing the Tran Temple seal will bring career advancement and success.

Besides receiving blessings and offering incense, visitors to the temple on the opening day of the festival can also experience unique cultural activities such as cockfighting, martial arts demonstrations, and folk singing... To avoid crowds, many tourists choose to visit the temple a day in advance.

Yen Tu (Quang Ninh)

When discussing the most familiar and attractive pilgrimage destinations in Northern Vietnam, Yen Tu Pagoda cannot be overlooked. Located on Yen Tu Mountain, at an altitude of 1,068 meters, in Uong Bi District, Quang Ninh Province, Yen Tu Pagoda became a center of Vietnamese Buddhism during the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century. King Tran Nhan Tong founded the Truc Lam Yen Zen sect, taking the Dharma name Dieu Ngu Giac Hoang Tran Nhan Tong.

Today, Yen Tu Pagoda has become a pilgrimage destination for many Buddhists and followers of the Buddhist faith. During the Lunar New Year, visitors come here to admire the scenery and pray for good fortune.

Ngoc Anh (TH)

The Thanh