Springtime in the ancestral homeland

In the joyful atmosphere of the early days of Spring 2026 (Year of the Horse), Phu Tho is not only a meeting place for those with hearts yearning for their roots, but also a destination to experience a vibrant and diverse culture. From the solemnity of Hung Temple to the rhythmic gongs and drums of the festivals, everything is writing a new chapter for tourism in the ancestral land, full of vitality, impressiveness, and rich national identity.

Young women participate in the procession at the Au Co Mother Goddess Temple Festival, on the 7th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse 2026. Photo: Le Hoang

Springtime Gathering in Heritage Regions

From the first day of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), the Hung Temple historical site welcomed a large number of tourists and locals who came to pay their respects. Amidst the solemn incense smoke, each person returning here carried with them reverence for their ancestors and hope for a peaceful new year. Ms. Dang Thi Man from Zone 5, Xuan Lung commune, emotionally shared: "Every year, no matter how busy we are, my family always comes to offer incense and visit Hung Temple at the beginning of the year. This is an opportunity for the family to find peace of mind and remind our children and grandchildren of the national tradition of 'drinking water and remembering the source'."

Beyond its traditional value at the Hung Temple historical site, the spring travel itinerary extends to newly annexed areas. Mai Chau – a peaceful valley with the stilt houses of the Thai ethnic minority – now boasts a new vitality as it blends seamlessly with the heritage of the ancestral land. In community-based tourism villages such as Lac and Pom Coong, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant colors of bauhinia and peach blossoms and experience unique local culture.

The Hung Temple historical site attracted a large number of people and tourists during the early spring of the Year of the Horse (2016).

In Hoa Binh ward, the cultural and spiritual space and scenic spots have also become "golden" destinations. Matin, a French tourist visiting the Ho Chi Minh monument and Hoa Binh Phat Quang pagoda, was amazed by the natural beauty and the friendliness of the people here. Matin shared: "Visiting these historical sites in the spring, the weather is ideal. I was particularly impressed with the journey on Hoa Binh lake to the Chua Thac Bo temple. The combination of majestic scenery and local rituals is an unforgettable experience."

The connection between destinations such as the Tay Thien Scenic Area and other landmarks in Phu Tho creates a convenient spring travel route. At Tay Thien, the first days of spring have welcomed tens of thousands of pilgrims coming to worship Buddha and the Mother Goddess. To create a relaxing atmosphere for visitors, the infrastructure has been upgraded, and many types of flowers and ornamental plants characteristic of the Tam Dao mountains, such as rhododendrons and begonias, have been added, creating a green, clean, and beautiful space for pilgrimage and sightseeing.

The beginning of a flourishing tourism season in the ancestral land.

Another highlight of the spring travel itinerary is the Muong ethnic group's Spring Festival, held on a provincial scale in Muong Bi commune. Taking place from the 6th to the 8th of January, the festival, themed "Returning to the Muong Land - Convergence, Inheritance, and Spreading of Heritage Values," has become a focal point attracting locals and tourists from all over. The ceremonial part is solemn, featuring rituals such as worshipping the Earth God, carrying the palanquin of the Queen Mother Hoang Ba, and the spring planting ceremony. The festive part is a unique cultural space with competitions and performances. In particular, the participation of Xoan singing and Trong Quan singing, along with the sounds of Muong gongs, creates a distinctive cultural symphony, affirming the intermingling and enduring vitality of the ancestral land's heritage. At the cultural booths, vibrant models of traditional stilt houses are set up, displaying OCOP products and showcasing traditional crafts such as brocade weaving, bamboo-cooked rice, and five-colored sticky rice. Visitors can easily scan QR codes to learn about historical sites or trace the origin of handicraft products, demonstrating the transformation of local tourism in applying technology.

Earlier, the Tien Pagoda Festival in An Nghia commune, which opened on the 4th day of the first lunar month, also brought a sacred atmosphere to the national cave complex. The sounds of Muong gongs and Chau Van singing echoed through the valley, and folk games such as crossbow shooting, tug-of-war, and boat racing attracted participants of all ages, creating a vibrant and traditional Tet atmosphere.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated: The Culture sector has promptly implemented directives and guidelines for organizing cultural, sports, information, and tourism activities to serve the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, meeting the people's needs for cultural and spiritual enjoyment. Visual propaganda, cultural, artistic, sports, and tourism activities have created a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere in preparation for the New Year. The organization and management of cultural services at local historical sites during the holiday season have been strictly managed, orderly, and stable, with no unhealthy religious activities taking place, meeting the needs of local people and tourists from all over the country who come to celebrate the New Year and participate in festivals...

Thac Bo Cave - one of the attractive destinations on Hoa Binh Lake.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism's assessment, during the Lunar New Year holiday of the Year of the Horse, tourism activities in the province were vibrant, with the number of tourists increasing compared to the same period in 2025. It is estimated that during the 9-day holiday, the number of tourists reached approximately 506,000, an increase of about 11.5% compared to the same period last year; the average room occupancy rate reached over 65% (at some high-quality eco-tourism resorts, the occupancy rate reached 85-90%); total revenue from tourism is estimated at approximately 315 billion VND, an increase of about 12.5% ​​compared to the same period in 2025.

Tourism accommodation establishments and restaurants organized numerous cultural, artistic, and sporting activities, as well as tourism-related events such as Spring Festival art programs, fireworks displays, folk cultural performances, folk games, landscape decoration, creating experiential spaces, and photo opportunities for tourists; ensuring security and safety for tourists; and coordinating with relevant agencies to inspect, control, detect, prevent, and resolutely and promptly handle violations of the law affecting tourism activities. Tourists were primarily domestic, traveling in family and friend groups, concentrating in tourist areas and destinations such as Thanh Thuy Hot Spring Resort, Hung Temple Historical Site, Au Co Mother Temple, Xuan Son National Park, Long Coc Tea Hill, Tam Dao, Dai Lai, Mai Chau, Da Bac... along with eco-tourism, resort, and community tourism areas. The number of tourists combining leisure with sports, especially golf, remained stable. International tourists mainly stay for short periods, visiting, experiencing community tourism, and relaxing...

The spring journey through the ancestral homeland leaves each person with a sense of pride in a land rich in heritage and core values, and a feeling of vibrant energy surging forth in the new spring. With close guidance and a sustainable development orientation, Phu Tho tourism in 2026 promises to achieve breakthroughs, affirming its position as a leading cultural destination on the Vietnamese tourism map.

Huong Lan

Source: https://baophutho.vn/du-xuan-tren-que-huong-dat-to-248650.htm