HBO – An incense offering ceremony was recently held in Quen Ang pagoda, Tan Phong commune, Cao Phong district, the northern province of Hoa Binh to pray for bumper crops. Thousands of locals inside and outside the commune and visitors attended the event.
An art performance of Muong ethnic
group is performed at incense offering ceremony in Quen Ang pagoda.
The
event is held annually to pray for national peace and prosperity for the
nation, people’s happiness and bumper crops. This year’s event included ritual
and festive activities. The ritual began from the morning of the eighth day of
the first lunar month. The procession departed from Quen Ang pagoda for But (Buddha)
temple at the foot of Coi mountain in Trang Tren 3 hamlet to invite the Buddha
to attend the festival. The procession was led by a group of people holding
flags, followed by shamans, Buddhist followers and 12 unmarried girls.
Returning the pagoda, shamans took over worshiping ritual.
The
festive part heated up the event with volleyball matches. On February 11, or
the seventh day of the first lunar month, a Muong beauty contest took place
with the participation of eight contestants from eight hamlets. An amateur art
contest was also held in the day, attracting eight teams with each performing
two performances.
Quen
Ang pagoda in Tan Phong commune is associated with a legend on Coi mountain
flower garden, which used to be a revolutionary base located in the Cao Phong –
Thach Yen Revolutionary Base Complex. The complex was recognised as a national
cultural and historical relic site in 1996./.
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.
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.
