Visiting pagodas at the beginning of Lunar New Year has become an old tradition of Vietnamese people. Here are the five best places to go in Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam during the Lunar New Year 2020.
Ngoc Son Temple
Phu Tay Ho
Phu Tay Ho is on the northern bank of West Lake, a few kilometers along the lake road from Xuan Dieu street, Tay Ho district. Phu Tay Ho is dedicated to the Mother Goddesses and the Jade Emperor. Therefore it is referred to as a palace, although laypeople would call it a temple. It is one of the best destination in Ha Noi for those wanting to make a pilgrimage journey to pray for good luck and happiness on the first days of the Lunar New Year.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
The Tran Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist center located on the east side of the West Lake. It has a history of more than 1500 years. Although it is definitely worth a visit, it is crowded there during Tet. It was busier at Tran Quoc Pagoda than at Ngoc Son Temple. A lot of local people went to say their prayers, which creates a walking line to get in. If you are interested in seeing the praying, it is definitely worth a visit. However, if you are a bit claustrophobic, go early and avoid the crowds.
Kim Lien Pagoda
The pagoda is a combination of Buddhist and Taoist arts, as evidenced by three parallel buildings symbolizing the Sky, Earth, Humans, as well as windows representing the Buddhist concept of “existence and non-existence”, which are surrounded by the Eight Trigrams of Taoism.
Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh temple is a Taoist temple built during the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225) to honor “Tran Vo”, the “God of the North” who was beloved by all local Taoists. Therefore the temple was named Quan Thanh, literally translated as “Place of the Gods”.
By tradition, Hanoians often come to Quan Thanh temple on the occasion of the Lunar New Year or the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month (new and full moon respectively) to worship and pray for health, luck and happiness for them and their relatives.
Source Internet