Hanoians pray for peace during First Full Moon Festival

Despite the cold weather, thousands of people in Hanoi flocked to pagodas and places of worship to pray for peace on the 15th day of the first lunar month or ‘Tet Nguyen Tieu’ (First Full Moon Festival), which fell on February 15 this year.

Hanoians pray for peace on First Full Moon Festival
Hanoians pray for peace on First Full Moon Festival

Quan Su pagoda in Hoan Kiem district is a popular place of worship among Hanoians during ‘Tet Nguyen Tieu’.

Tay Ho temple in Tay Ho district attracts crowds on ‘Tet Nguyen Tieu’

‘Tet Nguyen Tieu’ is among the major festivals of Vietnam. It is considered as the second most important event after the lunar New Year’s Eve.

Preparing a tray of offerings to show sincerity.

In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, pagoda goers are requested to follow Health Ministry's 5K message (in Vietnamese): Khau trang (facemask) – Khu khuan (disinfection) – Khoang cach (distance) – Khong tu tap (no gathering) – Khai bao y te (health declaration).

A man asks a calligrapher to write a letter in Han (Chinese script) and Nom (Vietnamese ideographic script), which will then be offered at the pagoda to pray for happiness and prosperity.

Burning votive paper offerings.

Worshippers making donations to pagoda as a way of doing a good deed for the New Year.

Worshippers offering incense to pray for peace and happiness for the New Year.