On the morning of February 15 (the 6th day of Tet), the Perfume Pagoda festival, My Duc district, Hanoi, was officially opened. The 2024 Perfume Pagoda Festival with the theme “Safe-civilized-friendly Perfume Pagoda Festival,” aims to affirm the cultural value of the Perfume Pagoda Festival and promote the value of the Huong Son Scenic Relic Area complex – Special National Monument. The weather here this morning was raining heavily, but many people were still eagerly waiting.
Around 8:30 a.m., during a musical performance, artists spontaneously threw money, and many pilgrims joined in to “get lucky”. People believe that holding this lucky money will bring luck in the new year.
Thousands of people attended the opening ceremony of the Perfume Pagoda festival on the morning of February 15. Photo: Gia Khiem
Exchange with PV Dan VietMr. Nguyen Ba Hien – Head of the Management Board of Huong Son Scenic Relic Area said that the security plan for this occasion was approved by the security subcommittee for the opening day of the festival.
According to statistics from the Relic Management Board, in the past 3 days this place welcomed regarding 80,000 visitors, and on the 5th day of Tet alone welcomed more than 40,000 people. It is expected that February 15 (the 6th day of Tet) will welcome regarding 30,000 guests. The number of visitors is estimated to be 20% higher than the same period last year.
The weather this morning in the Huong Pagoda area was heavy rain, but many people did not hesitate to wait for the opening ceremony. Photo: Gia Khiem
Many people believe that going to Perfume Pagoda at the beginning of the year brings luck and fortune. Photo: Gia Khiem
It is expected that Huong Pagoda will welcome regarding 30,000 people today. Photo: Gia Khiem
“We deployed troops right from the 2nd day of Tet (February 11). From the 4th day of Tet, there were reinforcements from the city police at the blocking points. We mobilized regarding 150 people from different forces. to ensure safety and maintain security and order for people during the festival,” Mr. Hien said.
In order to end many inadequacies related to ferry ticket prices here, the Huong Pagoda Festival Organizing Committee decided to establish Huong Pagoda Tourism Service Cooperative – the unit that manages boat driving activities at the relic site. This unit has recruited and trained a team of boat drivers with 3,800-4,500 vehicles. Boats are numbered, seats, trash baskets, life jackets, and umbrellas are installed, the boat drivers are given cards and transport passengers in order.
During a performance, an artist spontaneously threw money to many people to “get lucky”. Photo: Gia Khiem
People believe that holding this lucky money will bring luck in the new year. Photo: Gia Khiem
When they saw money thrown up, many people shouted loudly and scrambled to get it. Photo: Gia Khiem
“After welcoming passengers by operating the new boat management unit, there is no longer any situation of cutting corners, uninvited boat drivers, or soliciting along the road. All boat drivers strictly implement the rules, disciplined and professional,” Mr. Hien said.
The Head of the Management Board of Huong Son Scenic Relic Area clearly stated that violations will be strictly handled so that the festival can properly promote the theme of Safety, Civilization, and Friendliness in the 2024 holiday season.
Many people took turns recording the moment of the opening day of the Perfume Pagoda festival. Photo: Gia Khiem
In particular, innovating the management of passenger transportation: Establishing the Huong Pagoda Tourism Service Cooperative to transport boats and boats to serve tourists visiting Buddha ceremonies to ensure safety, civilization, and courtesy; Carry out the management of transporting passengers on boats and boats according to the scheduled departure time at the outer wharf to ensure the safety of tourists.
Specifically: Regarding ferry transportation time for visitors to Buddhist ceremonies: From Monday to Friday: Transportation time is from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: Shipping time from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Continue to test operate electric vehicles for transportation in the festival area to gradually improve the quality of tourist service.
In addition, promote security and order and prevent fire and explosion in the festival area: Arrange first aid and emergency points in crowded areas such as Huong Tich cave gate, cable car station, and stadium. Thien Tru ensures safety for visitors.
Venerable Thich Minh Hien, Abbot of Huong Pagoda, said that all monasteries have fully prepared materials, Buddhist monks and nuns, rituals, and Buddhist festival exhibitions, with 18 monasteries throughout the relic site. Huong Son, 30 monks and nuns, over 100 Buddhists with the spirit of serving everyone is the highest merit of the Buddhist monks and nuns of Huong Pagoda for a long time.
The price of two-way ferry service this year has increased, going on the Huong Tich route is 85,000 VND/person (an increase of 35,000 VND), the Long Van – Tuyet Son route is 65,000 VND (an increase of 30,000 VND). Ticket prices for scenic spots also increased from 80,000 to 120,000 VND/person/turn. Cable car ticket price, round trip is 220,000 VND for adults, 150,000 VND for children. One-way ticket price is 150,000 VND for adults and 100,000 VND for children.