A Buddhist ritual praying for peace and security for the nation and its people took place at the Con Son Pagoda in the northern province of Hai Duong on Feb. 18 (Photo: VNA) 
Every year, thousands of people from all over the country flock to Hai Duong province to attend solemn rituals and enjoy traditional games of the Con Son-Kiep Bac Spring Festival (Photo: VNA) 
The latest edition of the festival, which has been celebrated for around 700 years, opened on Feb. 17, the 16th day of the first lunar month at the Con Son – Kiep Bac complex (Photo: VNA) 
(Photo: VNA) 
(Photo: VNA) 
The festival commemorates the 683rd death anniversary of the Venerable Huyen Quang, one of the first three patriarchs of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism (besides King Tran Nhan Tong and Phap Loa) (Photo:VNA) 
The festival, which features many unique religious rituals honours national heroes and introduces historic and cultural relics to visitors (Photo:VNA) 
Thousands of Buddhist followers and people participate in the ritual (Photo:VNA) 
Con Son-Kiep Bac complex was declared as a national relic in 1962 and as special national relic in 2012. Con Son-Kiep Bac festival was recognised as national intangible heritage in 2013(Photo:VNA) VNA
