Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival opens in Ninh Binh

This is the opening festival for a series of events celebrating the 10th anniversary of UNESCO recognition for Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, including Bai Dinh Pagoda, as the first mixed natural and cultural heritage in Southeast Asia.

All people, including Buddhists and tourists, pray for peace and good weather. (Photo: Xuan Lam)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda, said Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the famous landscapes of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu (now Ninh Binh Province).

Despite experiencing the many ups and downs of history, the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda continues to be respected and preserved by monks, nuns, Buddhists, and people.

The annual Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival opens on the sixth day of the first lunar month. (Photo: MINH DUONG)

At the ceremony, Ninh Binh Provincial leaders and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee of the province rang drums and bells to open the festival.

Religious dignitaries, monks, nuns, and tourists performed spiritual rituals to pray for peace, good weather, prosperity, and happiness.

Right on the opening day of the festival, thousands of people, dignitaries, monks, and nuns visited the temple for worship. (Photo: XUAN LAM)

The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival consists of two parts: the rituals and the festive activities, which create joy and excitement for locals and visitors alike.

The opening ceremony of Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival also impresses local people and tourists thanks to art programmes imbued with national cultural identity. (Photo: MINH DUONG)

The 2024 Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival will run until the end of the third lunar month.