Huong Pagoda Festival accelerates digital transformation, building a civilized and modern festival.

The Organizing Committee of the 2026 Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival is proactively applying technology to its organization and operation. Digitizing ticket sales processes, managing transportation, and standardizing service staff not only increases transparency and timeliness in management but also lays the foundation for a smart festival model, in line with sustainable development trends.

The traditional Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival in 2026 will take place from February 18th, 2026 to May 11th, 2026 (corresponding to the 2nd day of the 1st lunar month to the 25th day of the 3rd lunar month of the Year of the Horse). The opening ceremony will be held on February 22nd, 2026 (the 6th day of the 1st lunar month). The festival space will encompass the entire Huong Pagoda National Special Monument complex, with four main tour routes and approximately 20 temples, pagodas, and caves dedicated to Buddha.

This year's festival season features many new organizational aspects at the Huong Pagoda Festival, particularly emphasizing the application of technology and promoting digital transformation in management and services for tourists.

Mr. Vuong Trong Dao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Huong Son Commune, and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of the Huong Pagoda Festival.

Mr. Vuong Trong Dao, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Huong Son commune and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee of the Huong Pagoda Festival, said that the Organizing Committee has mobilized 110 electric vehicles with 115 drivers to transport visitors. All vehicles publicly display prices and use electronic ticketing, contributing to transparency in service operations and limiting price gouging. Traffic flow management is based on scientific calculations and flexible operation to minimize congestion during peak hours.

Notably, the policy of free parking for service cars (vehicles with yellow license plates) and vehicles with 10 seats or more at designated parking areas not only helps reduce costs for tourists but also contributes to ensuring traffic order and safety throughout the festival area.

On the Yen Stream waterway tourism route, management and transportation are implemented synchronously and strictly with the support of a digital management system. The Organizing Committee mobilized 1,033 traditional boats and ferries; 2,636 canoes and 6 electric canoes to serve tourists throughout the festival season. All vehicles are fully registered and inspected, fitted with management codes, equipped with life jackets, seats, trash cans and shelters, ensuring safety and comfort standards.

The boat drivers receive professional training, are issued professional licenses, wear identifying uniforms, and sign commitments to provide civilized and friendly service. Standardizing procedures, identifying and managing personnel using professional licenses contributes to increased professionalism and provides a basis for more effective supervision and management in the crowded festival environment.

Notably, visitors are also served free drinking water throughout the waterway journey – a humane touch that enhances the experience and builds a friendly and modern image for the Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival.

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  Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival: Heritage preservation linked with tourism development, with tourists at the center.

During the festival, administrative, informational, and digital transformation activities were implemented synchronously. Operational activities, reporting, and work processing were carried out on an electronic document management system; information about the festival was disseminated through multiple media channels including newspapers, radio and television, and digital platforms.

The application of technology in managing entrance tickets and boat tickets using QR codes, operating a hotline to receive tourist feedback, and collecting and analyzing visitor data by time of day... shows a clear shift from traditional management methods to smart management, with the tourist experience at its center.

According to Mr. Vuong Trong Dao, the promotion of technology applications, from electronic ticketing, vehicle management, traffic regulation to standardization of service staff, has gradually improved management efficiency, increased transparency and timeliness in operations. Digital transformation not only helps reduce procedures, limit congestion and overload during peak periods, but also creates a foundation for building the Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival in a civilized and modern direction, in line with the trend of smart tourism development and the requirements of integration in the digital age.

Not limited to the traditional festival season, the 2026 plan clearly defines the direction for developing tourism at Huong Pagoda year-round. From May to December 2026, the locality will focus on developing cultural and spiritual tourism products, experiential tourism, ecotourism, and adventure tourism along all four routes of the Huong Pagoda special national historical site.

Developing plans to organize cultural, artistic, and sporting events on a city, national, and international scale, oriented towards events such as Buddha's Birthday, the lotus and water lily seasons. Showcasing and introducing local cultural and tourism products, and building brands for Huong Son's specialty agricultural products are also considered important solutions to increase the economic value of tourism and create sustainable livelihoods for the people.

With thorough preparation, a systematic approach, and a long-term development orientation, the 2026 Huong Pagoda Tourism Festival is expected to be not only a safe, civilized, and high-quality festival but also an important stepping stone to affirm the position of Huong Pagoda on the national and international cultural and spiritual tourism map.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/le-hoi-chua-huong-tang-toc-chuyen-doi-so-xay-dung-le-hoi-van-minh-hien-dai-20260213095411454.htm