Pilgrims travelled to Huong (Perfume) Pagoda for its annual festival in 2020 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Many spring festivals in thecapital city of Hanoi will be halted as it is applying COVID-19 preventive measures.
Hanoi festivals have been cancelled for the second straightyear due to the ongoing pandemic. Incense offering rituals will be held in smallscale.
Authorities of My Duc district, which is home to Huong(Perfume) Pagoda, is building plans to welcome back visitors in the coming timeand seeking approval of the municipal People’s Committee.
The pagoda has stopped receiving visitors since last May dueto the pandemic.
Huong Pagoda, located in Huong Son commune of MyDuc, consists of a vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built onlimestone Huong Tich mountains.
Every year, the site hosts a large number of pilgrims fromall over the country. The pilgrimage festival starts fromthe 6th day of the lunar year, while the peak fallsbetween the 15th day of the first lunar month to the 18th day of the second lunarmonth. Yet the spectacular landscape draws tourists also throughout the year.
Spring festivals in Soc Son district are suspended and onlysmall incense offering ceremonies held. Its communes and townships are asked tobolster inspection of the holding of cultural, sporting and tourism activities incelebration of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
Inscribed in 2010 on the Representative List of the IntangibleCultural Heritage of Humanity, the 3-day Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc templesin Soc Son is celebrated annually, starting on the sixthday of the lunar year and attracting thousands of visitors.
Other major events, particularly the Co Loa, Hai BaTrung and Tan Vien Son Thanh (Tan Vien Mountain Saint) festivals inHanoi’s outlying districts of Dong Anh, Me Linh and Ba Vi will also be put on hold.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has ordered stepping up preventive measures to ensure safety during the 2022 Tetfestival, asking units and localities to halt the organisation of festivals andfirework displays on the occasion.
At present, nearly 600 COVID-19 patients in Hanoi are incritical condition./.
