The number of tourists visiting the southern province of Tay Ninh during the first days of the Lunar New Year has surpassed 1 million, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Pilgrims to Ba Den (Black Lady) mountain tourism, cultural and historical relic site and Cao Dai Tay Ninh Church made up the bulk of the visitors from January 27 to February 16 (the 27 th of the 12 th lunar month to the 17 th of the first lunar month).

Like many other visitors, Tran Van Dung from Ho Chi Minh City said that he and his family visit the Ba Den mountain tourism site every first lunar month to pray for peace and safety for all family members.

The site is considered one of the most famous spiritual lands in the southern region, worshipping Linh Son Thanh Mau (Linh Son Holy Mother). Two main festivals are held here every year, in the first and the fifth lunar months.

So far this year, tourism services have contributed more than 20 billion VND (940,000 USD) to the province’s budget, representing a year-on-year rise of 5 percent.-VNA