Hanoians pray for good luck at pagodas

At the transition between the old and the new year, many people come to Ha pagoda to pray for good luck. This is also a beauty from many generations of Vietnamese people. The traditional New Year was marked by locals making loud noises to scare off evil spirits from ruining the New Year. In big cities up and down the country families will gather around lakes and rivers just before midnight to watch huge displays of firework in the New Year. In some places locals perform dragon dances and carry whistles, rattles, gongs and bells to make sure those evil spirits think twice about ruining the New Year (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Having become a staple in the spiritual life, after watching the fireworks display for New Year's Eve, many people go to Ha pagoda to pray for good luck and prosperous year ahead. Vietnamese people believe that going to a pagoda is not just to pray for good things in the coming year, but also to reflect on what they have done in the past and leave all hardship behind. Many young Vietnamese go to pagodas in the spring not just to pray for good things but also to enjoy the pagodas’ beauty and serene atmosphere. A trip to a pagoda teaches them about their roots and Vietnam’s traditions (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Many people sincerely believe that all wishes made on New Year’s Eve will come true. Tet is the transitional moment between the previous year and the new one. Apart from spending time for family reunion and relax after one year with many ups and downs, people also spend on their spiritual life, paying respect and gratitude toward the deceased and their ancestors. Therefore, visiting temples, pagodas, and other sacred places as well as praying for good luck, wealth, health and safety during the New Year actually has been a deep-rooted tradition of Vietnamese people. Although there is a difference in the way people conduct the pilgrimage, this noble tradition still remains its real meaning, in which any barrier of age, status or sex are eliminated, everyone unite there, in a mutual spiritual world (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Going to the pagoda at the beginning of the New Year is a cultural beauty that Vietnamese people preserve and cherish every Tet. Pilgrimage to sacred institutions especially Buddhist temples is undoubtedly a long-lasted custom of Vietnamese people. It is a long-held belief that the very first moment of a new year is the most solemn and holy moment of the year, and if they pray their wishes at that time, every wishes will come true. While praying for their wishes, people will speak their wishes and burn sticks of incenses as incense stick is believed to be the way for people to connect with the deceased and spiritual beings (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Vietnamese people believe that going to a pagoda is not just to pray for good things in the coming year, but also to reflect on what they have done in the past and leave all hardship behind. Apart from wishing for good luck, heath, happiness and prosperity in the coming year, praying at these spiritual places is the best way to go out, enjoy the spring and indulge in holy atmosphere during the festive atmosphere of Tet. Also, mixing the soul with the spiritual spaces, breathing in the aroma of burning incense and flowers and enjoying relaxing glimpse in the garden of the pagodas is unquestionable the best way to demolish all the stresses and worries of the previous year and keep our life balanced between material and spiritual life (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Located in Dich Vong ward, Cau Giay district, the capital city of Hanoi, Ha pagoda is a sacred pagoda of love. The pagoda was built in the early 11th century, but people have no idea when it became the place to go to pray for love. Even if you do not have any passionate longings, the peaceful and ambient atmosphere make a great spot to get away from the chaotic capital city. There are many young men and women who come there to pray for their love with happy ending. On the New Year Eve, a large number of people visit Ha pagoda (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

No one forget to pick a small brand of tree from pagodas after they have done all the praying. The picked buds could be a small flower like the very meaning of it, however, people commonly pick a small brand in the pagoda’s campus as plant, in Vietnamese people’s belief, signifies for immortal life. Bring a small sacred branch of tree from pagodas would bring healthiness and prosperity to ones’ home. People often pray for happiness, prosperity and good health for themselves and their families (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Many young Vietnamese go to pagodas in the spring not just to pray for good things but also to enjoy the pagodas’ beauty and serene atmosphere. A trip to a pagoda teaches them about their roots and Vietnam’s traditions. When the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve, many people begin their pilgrimage to nearby pagodas to pray for health and luck for themselves and their loved ones. Many people sincerely believe that all wishes made on New Year’s Eve will come true (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Vietnamese people believe that going to a pagoda is not just to pray for good things in the coming year, but also to reflect on what they have done in the past and leave all hardship behind. Vietnamese people often go on a pilgrimage at the beginning of each Lunar New Year to pray for safety, health, good luck, prosperity, and happiness during the year. Visiting a pagoda in the spring has become a valued custom for Vietnamese people from all walks of life. In Viet Nam, Tet (Lunar New Year) is an important time for people to come together after a year of hard work. Most workers, who live far away from their hometowns, will be heading home for the Tet holiday (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Traditional celebrations can last from a day up to the entire week, and the New Year is filled with people in the streets trying to make as much noise as possible using firecrackers, drums, bells, gongs, and anything they can think of to ward off evil spirits. After the parade, families and friends come together to have a feast of traditional Vietnamese dishes, and share the happiness and joy of the New Year with one another.They also visit the pagoda. the custom is described as 'Lễ Chùa' – in which 'lễ' means not only visiting but also showing respects in all sincerity to Buddha and Gods of the pagodas or temples (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

The noble tradition of visiting pagodas still remains its real meaning, in which any barrier of age, status or sex are eliminated, everyone unite there, in a mutual spiritual world. Going to the pagoda at the beginning of the New Year is a cultural beauty that Vietnamese people preserve and cherish every Tet. Pilgrimage to sacred institutions especially Buddhist temples is undoubtedly a long-lasted custom of Vietnamese people. It is a long-held belief that the very first moment of a new year is the most solemn and holy moment of the year, and if they pray their wishes at that time, every wishes will come true (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

People will prepare a lavish tray (usually including steamed rice, pork, fruits, flowers, incense, hell-notes…) to offer to the Buddha the Gods of this temple. While praying for their wishes, people will speak their wishes and burn sticks of incenses as incense stick is believed to be the way for people to connect with the deceased and spiritual beings. Praying at pagodas and temples is among the best way to go out and enjoy the spring (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

The noble tradition of visiting pagodas still remains its real meaning, in which any barrier of age, status or sex are eliminated, everyone unite there, in a mutual spiritual world. Going to the pagoda at the beginning of the New Year is a cultural beauty that Vietnamese people preserve and cherish every Tet. Pilgrimage to sacred institutions especially Buddhist temples is undoubtedly a long-lasted custom of Vietnamese people. It is a long-held belief that the very first moment of a new years is the most solemn and holy moment of the year, and if they pray their wishes at that time, every wishes will come true (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Also, mixing one’s soul with the spiritual spaces, breathing in the aroma of burning incense and flowers and enjoying relaxing glimpse in the garden of the pagodas is unquestionable the best way to demolish all the stresses and worries of the previous year and keep our life balanced between material and spiritual life. Visiting a pagoda in the spring has become a valued custom for Vietnamese people from all walks of life (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

People will prepare a lavish tray which usually including steamed rice, pork, fruits, flowers, incense, hell-notes) to offer to the Buddha the Gods of this temple. While praying for their wishes, people will gently whisper their wishes and burn sticks of incenses as incense stick is believed to be the way for people to connect with the deceased and spiritual beings. This is the way to mix ones’ soul with the spiritual spaces, breathing in the aroma of burning incense and flowers and enjoying relaxing glimpse in the garden of the pagodas help demolishing all the stresses and worries of the previous year (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)