The Fragrant Pagoda: Hanoi’s Spiritual Sanctuary.

Vice Chair of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Nguyen Manh Quyen, signed a decision this week to recognize the Huong Son special relic complex, also known as the Huong Pagoda, in My Duc District as an official tourist destination for the city.

Located approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Hanoi’s bustling downtown, the Huong Pagoda site offers visitors an ethereal experience, akin to stepping into a fairy tale. Spanning over 4,900 hectares, the complex is a stunning mosaic of pagodas, temples, and caves, each housing intricate stalactites and stalagmites that pay homage to Buddha and indigenous agricultural deities.

Constructed in the late 17th century and meticulously renovated over the years, the Huong Son complex stands as a testament to historical preservation. It seamlessly blends its rich history with natural beauty, contributing to the diverse and unique Buddhist culture that Vietnam is known for.

The Huong Pagoda Festival is a grand affair, traditionally spanning from the sixth day of the first lunar month through to the end of the third lunar month. It is hailed as the most extensive and longest-running traditional festival in not only Hanoi but also the entirety of Vietnam.

A visit to the Huong Pagoda complex during the Lunar New Year is more than just a trip; it is a spiritual journey to the heart of Buddhism. Devotees and tourists alike embark on a pilgrimage to explore the pagodas, temples, and caves, participating in ceremonies and seeking the blessings of Buddha.

The Huong Pagoda Festival draws half a million pilgrims over three days during the Lunar New Year celebrations in 2024. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

According to the management board of the Huong Son special relic complex, the annual Huong Pagoda Festival attracts around one million visitors who come to pay their respects to Buddha and take in the breathtaking landscape. This includes the majestic mountains, mysterious caves, and serene pagodas, all of which serve as a backdrop to the teachings and enlightenment of the Bodhisattva.

A representative from the Hanoi Department of Tourism highlighted the cultural and religious significance of the site, stating, “Hanoi’s Huong Pagoda is a multifaceted complex, encompassing pagodas, temples, and communal houses. Moreover, it is one of 11 special national relics in Vietnam, making it a valuable asset for developing cultural and spiritual tourism within the complex.”

In recent years, the management of the Huong Pagoda relics has undergone innovation, focusing on preserving the site’s historical and landscape value while also utilizing it for festive activities and services. This approach proved successful, as evidenced by the over one million visitors who graced the site in 2023.

Looking ahead, the Hanoi Department of Tourism and the My Duc District People’s Committee are committed to elevating the complex’s status further. Their goal is to transform it into a high-quality tourist attraction that meets the stringent criteria to be recognized as a national tourist area.

According to the Department, “By 2030, we envision the Huong Pagoda complex becoming a national tourism area and one of the capital’s and the country’s tourism epicenters. We will also initiate the process to get it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring its preservation for future generations.”

In addition to the Huong Son complex, the Hanoi People’s Committee also acknowledged the Hong Van tourist site in the outlying district of Thuong Tin as a city-level tourist destination.

Nestled along the Red River, Hong Van is a suburban commune that has diligently developed its rural tourism offerings. This effort has paid off, establishing the commune as a significant tourist attraction that generates substantial economic benefits. Hong Van showcases the quintessential characteristics of a rural village in northern Vietnam, focusing on cultural tourism, agriculture tourism, and MICE tourism.

Tran Quoc Bao, Chairman of the Hong Van People’s Committee, proudly shared, “Our rural tourism efforts have attracted an average of 35,000 visitors annually, generating estimated tourism revenue of over VND10 billion (US$406,000). We have set our sights on making Hong Van a must-visit destination for domestic and international tourists by 2025, solidifying commercial, service, and tourism sectors as the commune’s economic cornerstone.”

Vietnam’s Law on Tourism 2017 outlines specific criteria for a site to be recognized as a city-level tourist area. These include advantageous tourism resources, well-developed infrastructure and facilities, connectivity to national transportation and telecommunications systems, and a strong commitment to security, order, social safety, and environmental protection.

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The post The Fragrant Pagoda: Hanoi’s Spiritual Sanctuary. appeared first on https://vietexplorer.com.

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