The Keo Pagoda festival began in Vu Thu district in the northern province of Thai Binh on October 10 or the 10th day of 9th month in the lunar calendar, and runs until October 15.

The Keo Pagoda autumn festival

The autumn festival is held annually to honor Zen Master Khong Lo (1016-94) – founder of the Keo Pagoda. It features a wide range of religious rituals and communal activities, including palanquin parades, cockfighting and love duet singing on boats.

The Keo pagoda, where the event is taking place, was founded in 1061. After it was swept away by a terrible flood in 1611, the pagoda was rebuilt in 1632 and most of its architectural features, including 17 structures with 128 rooms, remain until today. In 2012, it was recognized as a national special relic site.

In addition to the autumn festival, another spring festival takes place here annually on the 4th day of the first lunar month.

The pagoda attracts more than 2,500 visitors to Thai Binh every year.

Source: VNA