Around 40,000 visitors made the pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda in Hanoi’s My Duc district on January 30.(Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Around 40,000 visitors made the pilgrimage to HuongPagoda in Hanoi’s My Duc district on January 30, the sixth day of the Lunar NewYear, to attend the opening of the longest running festival in the country.
The pagoda has welcomed 200,000 visitors from the beginning of the Lunar NewYear, according to the festival organising board.
Local authorities have mobilised staff to ensure security and safety during thefestival to stop scammers and pickpockets.
A hotline has also been opened to handle complaints from tourists.
The same day, thousands of people flocked to the Saint Giong Festival at SocSon Temple in the city’s Soc Son district.
This year, thefestival is expected to welcome around 1.2 million visitors.
The festival, taking place from the sixth day to the eighth day of the firstlunar month, aims to honour the legendary hero Giong, who is known as one ofthe Four Immortals of Vietnam along with Tan Vien, Chu Dong Tu and the MotherGoddess Lieu Hanh.
Legend has it Saint Giong was born after his mother walked in the footsteps ofa giant. At the age of three, Giong suddenly transformed into a giant andfought foreign invaders. The king then presented Giong with an iron horse,which promptly chased the invaders out of the country.
Aftertriumphing, he and his horse went to Soc Mountain in Soc Son District. It issaid that from the top of the mountain, he removed his armour and flew into thesky on his steed. Giong is also widely worshipped as “the patron god ofthe harvest, national peace and family prosperity”.
The Saint Giong Festival was recognised as a world intangible cultural heritageof humanity by UNESCO in 2010.
A wide range of activities are being held during the festival, such as loveduets, wrestling and traditional games./.
VNA
