The spiritual beauty of visiting pagodas in early spring

Returning to sacred spaces

Amid the pace of modern life, the tradition of visiting pagodas at the beginning of the Lunar New Year continues to be preserved by residents of the Port City as a cherished cultural beauty and a spiritual anchor during the sacred transition between the old year and the new.

Located in a small alley on Le Lai Street in Ngo Quyen Ward, Red Pagoda has long been renowned for its sacredness, especially for its massive jackfruit-wood statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. During the first three days of the new spring, streams of visitors pass through the pagoda, creating a lively scene while still maintaining solemnity and reverence.

Mrs. Le Thi Khuong, 78, from An Hai Ward, shared that her family used to live near the pagoda, so every Lunar New Year they would come to offer prayers. Although she has since moved, she and her husband still keep the tradition each Tet holiday.

“Visiting the pagoda at the beginning of the year makes my heart feel lighter. First, I come to enjoy the scenery; then I pray for good health for myself, for my children and grandchildren to succeed in their studies, and for family harmony. Going to the pagoda at the start of the year is not only a spiritual ritual but also a way to begin the new year with calmness and peace,” Mrs. Khuong said.

Not only the elderly, but many young families also consider early spring pagoda visits an indispensable tradition. Dressed in a traditional ao dai, Ms. Vu Thi Cham of Le Thanh Tong Street (Ngo Quyen Ward) shared that after completing ancestral worship rituals at home, her family usually goes to temples and pagodas to offer prayers.

Ms. Cham noted that many people believe visiting pagodas in the first days of the new spring brings good luck and peace. For her, however, what matters more is helping her children understand and appreciate traditional cultural values.

According to her, the tranquil atmosphere at the Buddha’s sanctuary helps strengthen family bonds. After offering incense, family members often gather to talk and exchange good wishes for the new year.

After a year filled with worries and responsibilities, standing before the Buddha’s altar and listening to the resonant sound of the bell, each person feels as their troubles gradually fade away.

As one of the oldest and most sacred pagodas in Hai Phong, dating back over a millennium, Hang Pagoda (Le Chan Ward) attracts large numbers of pilgrims and tourists from all directions who come to offer incense and admire the scenery.

The pagoda stands out for its imposing architecture, its tower garden, and its Buddha statue garden surrounding a spacious lake, where a golden bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sits beneath a bodhi tree. Many visitors stroll through the pagoda grounds, enjoying the fresh air and allowing their minds to settle into tranquility during the spring days.

Preserving cultural beauty

Not only Red Pagoda and Hang Pagoda, but many other historical and cultural sites across Hai Phong have also recorded a surge in visitors, including the Con Son – Kiep Bac historical site (Chi Linh Ward); Tranh Temple (Ninh Giang Commune); the An Phu – Kinh Chu – Nham Duong complex (Kinh Mon Ward); Mao Dien Temple of Literature (Mao Dien Commune); the Xua Temple – Giam Pagoda – Bia Temple complex (Cam Giang Commune); the Chu Van An Temple (Chu Van An Ward); Nghe Temple, Tam Ky Temple, and Chieu Pagoda (Le Chan Ward); Tu Luong Xam (Hai An Ward); Cao Linh Pagoda (An Duong Ward); Hang Pagoda, Ba De Temple, and Tuong Long Tower (Do Son Ward); the Bach Dang Giang historical site (Bach Dang Ward); and the Temple dedicated to Trang Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem (Nguyen Binh Khiem Commune).

Mr. Luke Philip, a visitor from Australia, said he happened to be in Hai Phong during the Lunar New Year and was impressed by the Vietnamese custom of visiting pagodas at the start of the year. He shared: “I can feel the solemnity, but also a great sense of warmth. People come to the pagoda not only to pray but also to meet one another and share good wishes for the new year.”

To better serve residents and visitors coming to offer incense and pay their respects, authorities, local governments, and site management boards at historical and cultural sites have closely coordinated to ensure security and public order, manage traffic flow, arrange parking areas, and remind visitors to comply with regulations, as well as to preserve the landscape and environment.

Following the administrative merger, Hai Phong now has nearly 4,000 historical sites, including nine special national relic sites and 257 nationally recognized relics. Notably, Con Son – Kiep Bac is part of a cultural heritage complex recognized by UNESCO.

In the early days of spring, people visit temples not only to pray for peace and good fortune, but also to reconnect with their roots and uphold the moral tradition of “remembering the source when drinking water.” In many places, besides offering incense, visitors also ask for calligraphy at the beginning of the year, receive pagoda blessings, or purchase peace charms to bring home.

Nguyen Nguyen