The 2026 Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival is being held in a special context as Hanoi City aims to develop the Huong Pagoda National Special Monument Area into a national tourist area by 2026 and gradually complete the dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage site by 2030.
The festival, themed "Safety-Friendliness-Quality," will take place from February 18th to May 11th (corresponding to the 2nd day of the first lunar month to the 25th day of the third lunar month of the Year of the Horse), with the opening ceremony on February 22nd (the 6th day of the first lunar month).
What is special about the festival space?
According to the organizers, there will be four main tour routes with 20 temples, pagodas, and Buddhist caves during this year's festival. Following the traditional festival, cultural, religious, experiential, sports , and artistic tourism activities will continue to be organized to extend the tourism season and aim for year-round tourism.
The organizing committee is committed to ensuring that the ceremony is conducted solemnly, adhering to traditional Buddhist rituals and folk beliefs, expressing the aspiration for national peace and prosperity, favorable weather, and a peaceful and happy life for the people. The main ceremonies will take place at Thien Tru Pagoda, Huong Tich Cave, and the system of temples and pagodas within the 20-site complex of historical relics, ensuring the preservation of the solemnity, order, and sacred space of the heritage.
The festival 's activities are selectively organized, focusing on folk culture and arts, and community events that are educational , wholesome, and appropriate to the historical site's setting. In particular, the organizers limit ostentatious and commercialized activities, gradually guiding the festival back to its core values while enhancing the visitor experience.
Visitors from all over flock to Huong Pagoda for the festival. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)
One of the highlights in the preparation and organization of the 2026 Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival is connecting and developing tourism throughout the four seasons of the year, renovating and rearranging the space within the historical site area, in conjunction with the implementation of the Project to innovate the model of organization, management, preservation and promotion of the value of the Huong Son complex, a special national historical site.
To date, authorities have been focusing on reviewing and addressing the encroachment on historical site spaces, the misuse of land, and spontaneous trading within the protected area and surrounding regions – long-standing issues that affect the landscape, order, and solemnity of the historical site.
The goal is to gradually restore the landscape, openness, and sacredness of the historical site, especially in key areas such as Yen Stream, ferry docks, Thien Tru Pagoda area, Huong Tich Cave, and routes serving tourists.
Representatives of the organizing committee affirmed that the rearrangement of the historical site's space is not only aimed at serving the 2026 festival season but is also an important step in the strategy of preserving and promoting the value of Huong Pagoda in a systematic, long-term manner, in line with the goal of sustainable development.
Tighten safety measures on the river.
Particularly for this year's festival season, the organizing committee announced it will accelerate digital transformation in organization and management. The telecommunications network infrastructure will be invested in comprehensively, and a socialized AI camera system will be installed at key locations to monitor security, order, and the civility of the festival.
In addition, ticket sales, ticket control for scenic spots, and boat services are conducted electronically using QR codes, ensuring transparency. The festival operations center and hotline operate continuously to receive and promptly address feedback from tourists.
The atmosphere on the opening day of the Huong Pagoda festival. (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)
Throughout the festival, checkpoints and task forces will be reinforced to patrol and control roads and docks, especially on Yen Stream and Tuyet Son Stream. Passenger transportation by boat must ensure safety, with sufficient life jackets provided. Illegal motorboats and street vending on the rivers and streams are strictly prohibited. Unauthorized parking areas and activities encroaching on roads and historical site spaces will be dealt with severely.
Following the traditional festival season, from May to December 2026, Huong Son commune will continue to implement year-round tourism development activities, strengthen regional linkages, organize cultural, sports, and art events on a city, national, and international scale; promote local agricultural products and specialties; and build experiential spaces, check-in areas, meditation tourism, and eco-spiritual tourism characteristic of Huong Pagoda.
With this comprehensive and coordinated preparation, the organizing committee of the 2026 Huong Pagoda Festival aims to create a safe, civilized, friendly, and high-quality festival, contributing to affirming Huong Pagoda's position as a special cultural and spiritual destination of the capital and the whole country.
(Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/huong-toi-la-di-san-the-gioi-le-hoi-chua-huong-2026-co-gi-dac-biet-post1088794.vnp
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