A great number of visitors have flocked to tourist attractions in Hoa Binh province in the first lunar month every year to admire the beautiful scenery, fully enjoy the spring atmosphere, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in many localities.
Cultural, sports, and entertainment activities help attract visitors to the spring festival of Tien Pagoda in the Tien Pagoda - Dam Da spiritual tourism complex in Lac Thuy district.
The Tien Pagoda festival, which starts on the 4th day of the Lunar New Year and lasts until the end of the third lunar month, draws crowds of visitors to the Tien Pagoda - Dam Da spiritual tourism complex in Lac Thuy.
The complex, which boasts impressive architecture and beautiful temples, pagodas, and caves, was recognised as a national archaeological site.
Since 2024, the festival has been held at the provincial level, featuring a variety of cultural, artistic, and sports activities, along with traditional games such as qilin - lion - dragon dance, the practice of the worship of Mother Goddesses in the Three Realms, performances of traditional musical instruments like Muong gongs, and the Chau Van singing, among others. These activities contribute to preserving and promoting cultural heritage and traditional values of the locality while introducing local tourism products.
During the early days of the Lunar New Year, festive activities take place across localities in the province.
Thousands gathered for the Khai ha (going down to the field) festival in Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district, on the 7th and 8th days of the first lunar month. This is the largest folk festival of the Muong people, as well as in the four major Muong regions (Bi, Vang, Thang, and Dong) of Hoa Binh. The festival features exciting and unique celebrations, including performances of traditional art forms, folk games, a food competition, and a show of Muong costumes.
The Thac Bo Temple festival was also held on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. Located in the two communes of Thung Nai (Cao Phong district) and Vay Nua (Da Bac district), this temple is famous for its sacredness and harmonious feng shui, with a river in front and mountains behind. The bustling boats and ships passing through the area make this destination a popular spot for tourists to visit during the spring and enjoy the scenic views. During the festival season, which lasts until the end of the fourth lunar month, thousands of people flocked to the temple daily to pray for good health and happiness for their families, and seek tranquility for their minds in the new year.
Statistics show that more than 40 traditional festivals are held annually in Hoa Binh. Traditional festivals are often associated with local cultural heritage, scenic spots, and historical and cultural monuments. They help preserve distinctive cultural and religious values, and attract tourists to the locality.
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bui Xuan Truong said traditional folk festivals have become an essential part of the spiritual life of ethnic communities in Hoa Binh. At the same time, they serve as a 'living museum' that helps uphold cultural and historical values.
In recent years, the province’s culture, sports, and tourism sector has focused on restoring unique traditional festivals in Hoa Binh to meet the spiritual and cultural demand of the people, and attract more tourists. With the implementation of Project 6 on preserving and promoting traditional cultural values of ethnic minority groups linked to tourism development under the national target programme on boosting the socio-economic development of ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas in the 2021-2030 period, many heritage and cultural values have been preserved and promoted.
As the new year begins and festive spirit fills the air, visitors flock to Hoa Binh lake, often dubbed the "Ha Long Bay on land," to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and serene atmosphere. In spring, the lake comes alive with lush greenery and delicate blossoms, while boats carrying eager tourists glide across its tranquil waters.
With effective business operations, significant increases in the number of visitors at weekends and on public holidays, and being listed among the 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Hoa Binh’s tourism is "spreading its wings" on its journey towards the targets of welcoming 4.9 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, and achieving total tourism revenue of 5.4 trillion VND (211.89 million USD) in 2025.
On February 21, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to implement the tourism plan in 2025 and meet with tourism businesses operating in the province. The event was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Head of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee.
Tien Pagoda is located in the valley of Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai villages, Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district; it is surrounded by two mountain ranges stretching like two giant dragons reaching for the blue sky. Every year, when spring comes, thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Tien Pagoda. The relic complex of Tien Pagoda is ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with 21 relic sites of many types: historical and cultural relics, scenic relics, and archaeological relics.
Cao Phong has paid due attention to developing tourism, creating impetus for socio-economic development towards completing the targets set in the resolution of the district’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
In recent times, Cao Phong District, Hoa Binh Province has focused on promoting tourism development, attracting visitors, and contributing to socio-economic growth.
