At 9:00 am, on January 30 - the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the opening ceremony of Huong Pagoda Festival officially took place in the Thien Tru Temple grounds, at Huong Pagoda, My Duc District.
The festival opened with a dance of sacred animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle, and phoenix) at all three large yards of Thien Tru Temple.
In the joy of welcoming the new festival season, Most Venerable Thich Minh Hien, the abbot of Huong Pagoda gave a speech to open the Huong Pagoda 2020 while at the same time offering incense to Buddha to pray for a peaceful year.
According to the organising board, Huong Pagoda welcomed more than 100,000 visitors from the first day to third day of the Lunar New Year. On the fourth of Lunar New Year in particular, the number of visitors reached nearly 30,000.
More than 4,000 canoes and boats are arranged to serve tourists during the festival days.
The festival's organising board has established subcommittees, inspection stations and inspection groups to ensure security, order and safety for travelers.
The roads leading to the relic area are clean; traffic jams do not occur.
Tourists offer incense to Buddha on the opening day of the Huong Pagoda Festival.