New opportunities to develop spiritual cultural tourism

Visitors experience and enjoy the art performance and chhay-dam dance.

Can Tho City is one of the localities in the Southern region with many famous Khmer pagodas, which are both places of worship and centers of cultural and artistic activities. Among them, Bo Tum Vong Sa Som Rong (Som Rong) Pagoda in Soc Trang Ward has become a check-in point attracting tourists thanks to the 63m long, 22.5m high statue of Buddha entering Nirvana, located about 28m above the ground and unique architectural works, leaving a deep impression on domestic and foreign tourists.

After visiting some Khmer pagodas in Soc Trang ward, Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “Som Rong pagoda is modern and brilliant; Mahatup pagoda (Bat pagoda) is ancient and peaceful, especially when you see bats hanging on the treetops. This is a rare and memorable experience for me.”

Nguyen Van Luc, from Gia Lai , excitedly said: “It has been a long time since I had the opportunity to visit Sro Lon Pagoda (Chen Kieu Pagoda). The pagoda has a unique wall with colorful ceramic bowls. The people here are gentle and friendly, telling me stories about the pagoda and the life of the Khmer people. I feel like I am entering a living cultural museum.”

The overall tourism development project for the period 2022-2025, with a vision to 2030; in which 4 typical pagodas have been selected for investment: Mahatup Pagoda, Sro Lon Pagoda, Som Rong Pagoda and Prés Buôl Prés Phék Pagoda. These are all pagodas with great appeal to tourists, with convenient locations to connect sightseeing routes. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism continues to call for investment in spiritual cultural tourism projects associated with these pagodas, expanding exhibition services, tour guides, cuisine, souvenirs... to extend the length of stay and increase spending of tourists, while strongly promoting intangible cultural heritage.

Venerable Lam Tu Linh, Deputy Abbot of Mahatup Pagoda, said: “On weekends, the pagoda welcomes a lot of tourists. They not only come to sightsee but also to learn about and appreciate Khmer culture. When tourists understand, cultural values will spread.”

In addition to the pagodas that are prioritized for investment, many other destinations are also increasingly attracting tourists such as: Truc Lam Zen Monastery (Phu Loi Ward), Quan Am Linh Ung Pagoda (Soc Trang Ward), Serey Ta Mon Pagoda (Lieu Tu Commune), Serey Kandal Pagoda (Vinh Phuoc Ward), Hai Phuoc An Pagoda, Thien Hau Thanh Mau Ancient Temple (Vinh Chau Ward)... Some projects are being implemented such as Gieng Tien Cultural and Religious Area (Thuan Hoa Commune), Quan Am Dong Hai Pagoda (Vinh Hai Commune) and Lien Hoa Bao Thap Tower (at Tan Hue Vien tourist destination) promising to create new products.

According to Dr. Phan Huynh Anh, member of the Southern National Startup Support Advisory Council, to attract tourists, it is necessary to preserve relics, art, traditional costumes; combine organizing festivals and developing experiential tours associated with the unique cultural features of the Khmer people.

With the support of the government, openness from pagodas and the increasing demand for cultural experiences, Khmer pagoda spiritual tourism in Can Tho City is facing a "golden" opportunity to develop, becoming a "cultural ambassador" to bring the local image far and wide.

Article and photos: THACH PICH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/co-hoi-moi-de-phat-trien-du-lich-van-hoa-tam-linh-a189636.html